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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.

U
Ulster University

Belfast · QS World #595

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/10

Ulster

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Manchester

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, courses, scholarship). Ulster University is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

Ulster University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Ulster University and University of Manchester both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering and Economics. Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Ulster University is about £14,810 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 14 and Ulster University in 11, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#595
QS World
#40
#601
THE World
#56
#60
Guardian UK
#29
1968
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.

Ulster University

University of Manchester

86.4%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.6%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.5%
40%

International

International student share

170
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Ulster

45 countries · 32.5% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
  • 🇮🇳India12.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

51 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.

Ulster University

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Linguistics, Design & Fashion, Information Systems & Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, English Literature, Music, Computer Science, Pharmacy, Biomedical Engineering, Social Work, Architecture, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Psychology (General), Medical Sciences, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Drama & Theatre, Marketing, English Studies, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Physical Geography & Climate, General Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Liberal Arts, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Counselling & Psychotherapy.

Only at Ulster 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

Ulster University
£17,490
University of Manchester
£32,300

Ulster University is about £14,810 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Ulster University
No data
University of Manchester
£26,800

We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University yet.

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.

Ulster University

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£36,000
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    No dataSalary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Civil Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£30,500
    100%Satisfaction77%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Management

    No dataSalary (3 years)£29,000
    73%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Public Health & Epidemiology

    No dataSalary (3 years)£29,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Anatomy & Pathology

    No dataSalary (3 years)£30,000
    50%Satisfaction81%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    No dataSalary (3 years)£28,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Ulster University

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

Ulster University vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,490 a year at Ulster University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Ulster University is about £14,810 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 Ulster University and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Civil Engineering, Law, Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History, Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology, Medicine and 39 more.

Does Ulster University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.

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

Ulster University teaches 15 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Irish Studies, Journalism, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Medical Imaging, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and 7 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 65 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Chemistry, Mathematics, Materials Science, Statistics and 57 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
Ulster University170 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses