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.
Farnham
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.
0/8
University for the Creative Arts
scored higher in 0 categories
8/8
Manchester
scored higher in 8 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Manchester leads in 8 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University for the Creative Arts does not lead in any category where both have data.
University for the Creative Arts vs University of Manchester at a glance
University for the Creative Arts and University of Manchester both teach 10 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Business Studies and Architecture. University for the Creative Arts offers 194 courses across 14 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University for the Creative Arts is about £14,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,020 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £24,700 at University of Manchester: University for the Creative Arts is about £6,680 a year cheaper.
Of the 3 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 2 and University for the Creative Arts in 1. The widest gap is in Music: £16,000 three years after graduating from University for the Creative Arts, against £22,500 from University of Manchester. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 3 and University for the Creative Arts in 1, 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.
University for the Creative Arts
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.
University for the Creative Arts
56 countries · 14.6% international
- 🇨🇳China26%
- 🇮🇳India21.5%
- 🌐Nepal15.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria3.8%
- 🌐Sri Lanka3.2%
Manchester
120 countries · 40% international
- 🇨🇳China51%
- 🇮🇳India7.6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
Subjects
10 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.
University for the Creative Arts
University of Manchester
Design & Fashion
69 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £39,900 (UG)
Business Studies
13 coursesTypical fee £17,500 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £33,100 (UG)
Architecture
Drama & Theatre
Computer Science
Media & Film Studies
2 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Marketing
Music
Applied Computing
Software Engineering
Only at University for the Creative Arts
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
- University for the Creative Arts
- £17,500
- University of Manchester
- £32,300
University for the Creative Arts is about £14,800 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University for the Creative Arts
- £18,020
- University of Manchester
- £24,700
University for the Creative Arts is about £6,680 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.
University for the Creative Arts
University of Manchester
Design & Fashion
£21,500Salary (3 years)£21,00085%Satisfaction88%Business Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£30,50059%Satisfaction92%Drama & Theatre
£16,000Salary (3 years)£21,00091%Satisfaction91%Computer Science
No dataSalary (3 years)£44,00088%Satisfaction82%Music
£16,000Salary (3 years)£22,50076%Satisfaction91%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity for the Creative Arts
2026 Venice Art Biennale Fellowship
£3,300
Deadline: N/A
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
University for the Creative Arts vs University of Manchester: common questions
Is University for the Creative Arts or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University for the Creative Arts is about £14,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,020 a year at University for the Creative Arts and £24,700 at University of Manchester: University for the Creative Arts is about £6,680 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 University for the Creative Arts and University of Manchester?
Both universities teach 10 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Architecture, Drama & Theatre, Computer Science, Media & Film Studies, Marketing, Music, Applied Computing and Software Engineering.
Is University for the Creative Arts or University of Manchester better for Design & Fashion?
Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from University for the Creative Arts, and £21,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 85% at University for the Creative Arts and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University for the Creative Arts or University of Manchester offer more courses?
University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University for the Creative Arts lists 194 courses.
What can you study at University for the Creative Arts but not at University of Manchester?
University for the Creative Arts teaches 4 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Games Design & Computer Animation, Fine Art and Crafts & Applied Arts.
What can you study at University of Manchester but not at University for the Creative Arts?
University of Manchester teaches 106 subject areas that University for the Creative Arts does not, including Politics & International Relations, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Management and 98 more.
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