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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.

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University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

U
University of Greater Manchester

Bolton

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.

6/8

Birmingham

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

2/8

Greater Manchester

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Greater Manchester is ahead on satisfaction, scholarship.

University of Birmingham vs University of Greater Manchester at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Greater Manchester both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Education Studies, Health & Social Care and Law. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Greater Manchester offers 281 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £9,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £5,890 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 22 and University of Greater Manchester in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £40,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £21,000 from University of Greater Manchester. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Greater Manchester is higher in 13 and University of Birmingham in 6, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
—
#98
THE World
—
#18
Guardian UK
—
1900
Established
2024
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

University of Birmingham

University of Greater Manchester

86.7%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
25.4%

International

International student share

663
281

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
5

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.

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%
VS

Greater Manchester

30 countries · 25.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria46.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan17.7%
  • 🇮🇳India10.8%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh6.6%

Subjects

42 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 of Birmingham

University of Greater Manchester

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Management, Media & Film Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Medicine, Social Work, Accounting, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Film Production & Cinematography, Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Adult Nursing, Mechanical Engineering, Biology, Creative Writing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science, Human Geography & Environment, Biotechnology, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Midwifery.

Only at University of Birmingham

Only at University of Greater 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

University of Birmingham
£27,090
University of Greater Manchester
£17,500

University of Greater Manchester is about £9,590 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Greater Manchester
£17,500

University of Greater Manchester is about £5,890 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 of Birmingham

University of Greater Manchester

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    79%Satisfaction98%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    78%Satisfaction83%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    88%Satisfaction100%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    No dataSatisfaction83%

  • Music

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    70%Satisfaction78%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    82%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

University of Greater Manchester

Bolton Sports Bursary 2020/21

See details

Deadline: N/A

Care Experienced Bursary 21-22

See details

Deadline: N/A

Care Leavers Bursary 2020/2021

See details

Deadline: N/A

The Bolton Master's Bursary 2021

See details

Deadline: N/A

The University of Greater Manchester Group Progression Scholarship 2021-22

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Birmingham vs University of Greater Manchester: common questions

Is University of Birmingham or University of Greater Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £9,590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £5,890 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 of Birmingham and University of Greater Manchester?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Law, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Teacher Training, Nursing (General), Civil Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Dentistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 30 more.

Is University of Birmingham or University of Greater Manchester better for Education Studies?

Education Studies graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £18,000 from University of Greater Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at University of Birmingham and 92% at University of Greater Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Birmingham or University of Greater Manchester offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and University of Greater Manchester lists 281 courses.

What can you study at University of Birmingham but not at University of Greater Manchester?

University of Birmingham teaches 59 subject areas that University of Greater Manchester does not, including History, Philosophy, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Marketing, Ancient Languages, Chemistry and 51 more.

What can you study at University of Greater Manchester but not at University of Birmingham?

University of Greater Manchester teaches 14 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Dance, Biomedical Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Building & Construction, Community & Specialist Nursing, Design & Fashion, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology and 6 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Greater Manchester281 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses