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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
University of Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

4/10

Birmingham

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Manchester

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, courses, scholarship). University of Birmingham is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary.

University of Birmingham vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Birmingham and University of Manchester both teach 90 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Physics and Microbiology & Cell Biology. University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Birmingham is about £5,210 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Birmingham is about £3,410 a year cheaper.

Of the 55 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 29 and University of Manchester in 16, with 10 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £37,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, against £29,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 53 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 31 and University of Birmingham in 18, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#68
QS World
#40
#98
THE World
#56
#18
Guardian UK
#29
1900
Established
1824
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
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 Manchester

86.7%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£38,700
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.3%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.2%
40%

International

International student share

663
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

3
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.

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

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

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

90 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 Manchester

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Medicine, Nursing (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Materials Science, Biomedical Sciences, International Development, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, French, Teacher Training, Education Studies, Environmental Sciences, Philosophy, Planning & Housing, Music, Statistics, Biology, Clinical Specialities, Health & Social Care, Linguistics, Media & Film Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Genetics & Genomics, Geography (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Marketing, Psychology (General), Spanish & Portuguese, History of Art & Design, Information Systems & Data Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, English Literature, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacy, Classical Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Healthcare Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, German & Scandinavian Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Accounting, Aerospace Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Social Work, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Archaeology, Biotechnology, Drama & Theatre, Creative Writing, English Language, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Applied Psychology, Italian, Social Policy & Public Policy, English Studies, Materials Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Eastern European Languages, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Physical Geography & Climate, Adult Nursing, Liberal Arts, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Birmingham

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

University of Birmingham
£27,090
University of Manchester
£32,300

University of Birmingham is about £5,210 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Birmingham
£23,390
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Birmingham is about £3,410 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 Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Civil Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    78%Satisfaction77%

  • Chemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 57 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 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

University of Birmingham vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £27,090 a year at University of Birmingham and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Birmingham is about £5,210 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,390 a year at University of Birmingham and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Birmingham is about £3,410 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 Manchester?

Both universities teach 90 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, History, Law, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, Economics, Biochemistry, Sociology & Criminology and 78 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Birmingham, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Birmingham and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Birmingham lists 663 courses.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 11 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Author Studies & Literary Specialisms, Heritage & Conservation, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Food Production & Technology, Social Sciences (General), Natural Sciences, Toxicology and 3 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 26 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Pharmacology, Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Polymer & Textiles Technology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture, Medical Sciences and 18 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 Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses