Skip to main content

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
Southampton, Solent University

Southampton

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/9

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

Manchester

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses). Southampton, Solent University is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Southampton, Solent University and University of Manchester both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Design & Fashion and Chemical Engineering. Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Southampton, Solent University is about £13,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Southampton, Solent University is about £8,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 18 and Southampton, Solent University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,000 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 13 and University of Manchester in 2, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#40
—
THE World
#56
—
Guardian UK
#29
1855
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Southampton, Solent University

University of Manchester

88.2%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£28,100
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.5%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.9%
40%

International

International student share

294
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

11
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.

Southampton

56 countries · 14.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India39%
  • 🇳🇴Norway6.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.3%
  • 🌐Morocco2.4%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

31 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.

Southampton, Solent University

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Architecture, Information Systems & Data Science, Education Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Health & Social Care, General Engineering, Marketing, Adult Nursing.

Only at Southampton, Solent University

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

Southampton, Solent University
£19,080
University of Manchester
£32,300

Southampton, Solent University is about £13,220 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Southampton, Solent University
£18,350
University of Manchester
£26,800

Southampton, Solent University is about £8,450 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.

Southampton, Solent University

University of Manchester

  • Design & Fashion

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Management

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Accounting

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Music

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£44,000
    84%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Southampton, Solent University

Solent Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: N/A

Carers Bursary

£1,200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, Boater community bursary

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Undergraduate Apprenticeship Bursary

£200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Parents bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

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

Southampton, Solent University vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is Southampton, Solent University or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,080 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Southampton, Solent University is about £13,220 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,350 a year at Southampton, Solent University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Southampton, Solent University is about £8,450 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 Southampton, Solent University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Design & Fashion, Chemical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Management, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Mathematics, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Media & Film Studies and 19 more.

Is Southampton, Solent University or University of Manchester better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £20,500 three years after graduating from Southampton, Solent University, and £21,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Southampton, Solent University and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Southampton, Solent University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses.

What can you study at Southampton, Solent University but not at University of Manchester?

Southampton, Solent University teaches 11 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Sciences (General), Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Technology & Logistics and 3 more.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Southampton, Solent University?

University of Manchester teaches 85 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Materials Science and 77 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Southampton, Solent University294 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses