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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 Bradford

Bradford · QS World #497

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/11

Bradford

scored higher in 1 category

VS

10/11

Manchester

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Bradford is ahead on scholarship.

University of Bradford vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Bradford and University of Manchester both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Chemical Engineering, Politics & International Relations and Economics. University of Bradford offers 211 courses across 49 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,890 a year at University of Bradford and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Bradford is about £15,410 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,700 a year at University of Bradford and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Bradford is about £11,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 21 and University of Bradford in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £25,000 three years after graduating from University of Bradford, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 12 and University of Bradford in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#497
QS World
#40
#501
THE World
#56
#64
Guardian UK
#29
1966
Established
1824
No
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 Bradford

University of Manchester

82.9%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£28,100
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.7%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.1%
40%

International

International student share

211
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

23
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.

Bradford

45 countries · 25.1% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.5%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria21.1%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait5%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana4.4%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

45 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 Bradford

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacy, Software Engineering, Psychology (General), Anthropology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Pharmacology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Forensic Science, International Development, Accounting, Computer Science, Biological Sciences (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Adult Nursing, Midwifery, Applied Psychology, Archaeology, General Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Children's Nursing, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Counselling & Psychotherapy.

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 Bradford
£16,890
University of Manchester
£32,300

University of Bradford is about £15,410 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bradford
£15,700
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Bradford is about £11,100 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 Bradford

University of Manchester

  • Chemical Engineering

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    90%Satisfaction84%
  • Economics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction85%
  • Law

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction89%
  • Civil Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    98%Satisfaction77%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction88%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    77%Satisfaction84%
  • Public Health & Epidemiology

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    No dataSatisfaction90%
  • Anatomy & Pathology

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    75%Satisfaction81%
  • Business Studies

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction92%
  • Biomedical Sciences

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    80%Satisfaction86%
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    93%Satisfaction77%
  • Pharmacy

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    77%Satisfaction85%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Bradford

Bestway Foundation Scholarships for Students from Pakistan

£35,000

Deadline: N/A

Disabled Students' Allowance

£26,291

Deadline: N/A

MSc Artificial Intelligence & Space Technology Scholarship (2026/27)

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Chinese Articulation Agreement (2025/26)

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

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 Bradford vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,890 a year at University of Bradford and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Bradford is about £15,410 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,700 a year at University of Bradford and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Bradford is about £11,100 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 Bradford and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Chemical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Law, Civil Engineering, Management, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Sociology & Criminology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology, Biomedical Engineering and 33 more.

Is University of Bradford or University of Manchester better for Chemical Engineering?

Chemical Engineering graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from University of Bradford, and £36,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at University of Bradford and 84% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bradford lists 211 courses.

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

University of Bradford teaches 4 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Building & Construction, Medical Imaging and Social Sciences (General).

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

University of Manchester teaches 71 subject areas that University of Bradford does not, including Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Mathematics, Materials Science, History, Statistics and 63 more.

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