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.
Hartlepool
Manchester · QS World #40
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
2/8
Northern School of Art
scored higher in 2 categories
6/8
Manchester
scored higher in 6 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Manchester leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). The Northern School of Art is ahead on TEF, satisfaction.
The Northern School of Art vs University of Manchester at a glance
The Northern School of Art and University of Manchester both teach 3 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Drama & Theatre and History of Art & Design. The Northern School of Art offers 18 courses across 6 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at The Northern School of Art and £32,300 at University of Manchester: The Northern School of Art is about £18,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at The Northern School of Art and £26,800 at University of Manchester: The Northern School of Art is about £13,300 a year cheaper.
Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 2 and The Northern School of Art in 0. The widest gap is in Drama & Theatre: £15,500 three years after graduating from The Northern School of Art, against £21,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, The Northern School of Art is higher in 1 and University of Manchester in 0, with 1 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
The Northern School of Art
University of Manchester
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Northern School of Art
No published data on international students
Manchester
120 countries · 40% international
- 🇨🇳China51%
- 🇮🇳India7.6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
Subjects
3 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.
The Northern School of Art
University of Manchester
Design & Fashion
Drama & Theatre
History of Art & Design
Only at The Northern School of Art
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
- The Northern School of Art
- £13,500
- University of Manchester
- £32,300
The Northern School of Art is about £18,800 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- The Northern School of Art
- £13,500
- University of Manchester
- £26,800
The Northern School of Art is about £13,300 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.
The Northern School of Art
University of Manchester
Design & Fashion
£16,000Salary (3 years)£21,00087%Satisfaction88%Drama & Theatre
£15,500Salary (3 years)£21,00095%Satisfaction91%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveThe Northern School of Art
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
FAQ
The Northern School of Art vs University of Manchester: common questions
Is The Northern School of Art or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at The Northern School of Art and £32,300 at University of Manchester: The Northern School of Art is about £18,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £13,500 a year at The Northern School of Art and £26,800 at University of Manchester: The Northern School of Art is about £13,300 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 The Northern School of Art and University of Manchester?
Both universities teach 3 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Drama & Theatre and History of Art & Design.
Is The Northern School of Art or University of Manchester better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £16,000 three years after graduating from The Northern School of Art, and £21,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at The Northern School of Art and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does The Northern School of Art or University of Manchester offer more courses?
University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and The Northern School of Art lists 18 courses.
What can you study at The Northern School of Art but not at University of Manchester?
The Northern School of Art teaches 3 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Creative Arts (General) and Fine Art.
What can you study at University of Manchester but not at The Northern School of Art?
University of Manchester teaches 113 subject areas that The Northern School of Art does not, including Politics & International Relations, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Management and 105 more.
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