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Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/11

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Manchester

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on scholarship.

SOAS University of London vs University of Manchester at a glance

SOAS University of London and University of Manchester both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies and Asian Languages & Studies. SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £32,300 at University of Manchester: SOAS University of London is about £8,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £24,700 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £620 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 8 and University of Manchester in 6. The widest gap is in Politics & International Relations: £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, against £26,500 from University of Manchester. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 11 and SOAS University of London in 5.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#458
QS World
#40
#401
THE World
#56
#86
Guardian UK
#29
1916
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

SOAS University of London

University of Manchester

84.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£32,500
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

74.4%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.7%
40%

International

International student share

296
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

27
6

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

27 subjects you can study at both

Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

SOAS University of London

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Linguistics, History of Art & Design, International Development, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biological Sciences (General), Accounting, Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Cultural Studies, Liberal Arts, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at SOAS University of London

Only at University of Manchester

Fees

What it costs international students

The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

Undergraduate

SOAS University of London
£23,780
University of Manchester
£32,300

SOAS University of London is about £8,520 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

SOAS University of London
£25,320
University of Manchester
£24,700

University of Manchester is about £620 a year cheaper.

Outcomes

Graduate outcomes by subject

Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

SOAS University of London

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Anthropology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    77%Satisfaction89%

  • African & Middle Eastern Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    77%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    73%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Music

    No dataSalary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Linguistics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    98%Satisfaction89%

  • History of Art & Design

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    97%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

View all scholarships →

University of Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

SOAS University of London vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is SOAS University of London or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,780 a year at SOAS University of London and £32,300 at University of Manchester: SOAS University of London is about £8,520 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,320 a year at SOAS University of London and £24,700 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £620 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

What subjects can you study at both SOAS University of London and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Economics, Anthropology, Law, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Management, History, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General) and 15 more.

Is SOAS University of London or University of Manchester better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from SOAS University of London, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at SOAS University of London and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does SOAS University of London or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at University of Manchester?

SOAS University of London teaches 2 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Creative Arts (General) and Social Sciences (General).

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at SOAS University of London?

University of Manchester teaches 89 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Chemistry, Mathematics, Materials Science and 81 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

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SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses