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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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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

Swansea

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, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Swansea University is ahead on satisfaction.

Swansea University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Swansea University and University of Manchester both teach 84 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Physics. Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Swansea University is about £10,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Swansea University is about £3,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 43 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 36 and Swansea University in 5, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Swansea University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 27 and University of Manchester in 12, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#322
QS World
#40
#301
THE World
#56
#32
Guardian UK
#29
1920
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Swansea University

University of Manchester

86.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£31,800
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.5%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.1%
40%

International

International student share

916
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

84 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.

Swansea University

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Teacher Training, Biology, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Management, English Literature, Materials Science, Psychology (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General), Aerospace Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Medical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Linguistics, Medicine, Pharmacology, American & Comparative Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Classical Studies, Clinical Specialities, Human Geography & Environment, Biomedical Engineering, General Engineering, Planning & Housing, Accounting, Healthcare Science, Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Archaeology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Information Systems & Data Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Biotechnology, Materials Engineering, Pharmacy, Design & Fashion, International Development, Social Work, Clinical & Health Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, English Studies, Geography (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Biological Sciences (General), Creative Writing, Information & Library Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Midwifery, Marketing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Humanities, Mental Health Nursing, Applied Psychology, Adult Nursing, Software Engineering, Theology & Religious Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy.

Only at Swansea 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

Swansea University
£21,550
University of Manchester
£32,300

Swansea University is about £10,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Swansea University
£22,950
University of Manchester
£26,800

Swansea University is about £3,850 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.

Swansea University

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    90%Satisfaction85%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    93%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • History

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Biochemistry

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    79%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 45 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

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

Swansea University vs University of Manchester: common questions

Is Swansea University or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £21,550 a year at Swansea University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Swansea University is about £10,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,950 a year at Swansea University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Swansea University is about £3,850 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 Swansea University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 84 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Physics, Economics, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, History, Biochemistry, Civil Engineering and 72 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Swansea University, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at Swansea University and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Swansea University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Swansea University lists 916 courses.

What can you study at Swansea University but not at University of Manchester?

Swansea University teaches 13 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Welsh Studies, Journalism, Building & Construction, Combined & General Studies, Community & Specialist Nursing, Social Sciences (General), Toxicology and 5 more.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at Swansea University?

University of Manchester teaches 32 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Statistics, French, Spanish & Portuguese, Anthropology, Asian Languages & Studies, Music and 24 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

S
Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses