Skip to main content

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 Brighton

Brighton · QS World #901

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.

2/11

Brighton

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

Manchester

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Brighton is ahead on employment, scholarship.

University of Brighton vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Brighton and University of Manchester both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering and Management. University of Brighton offers 255 courses across 71 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at University of Brighton and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Brighton is about £15,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,790 a year at University of Brighton and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Brighton is about £8,010 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 22 and University of Brighton in 6, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £28,000 three years after graduating from University of Brighton, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 14 and University of Brighton in 13, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#901
QS World
#40
#601
THE World
#56
#68
Guardian UK
#29
1858
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 Brighton

University of Manchester

84.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£32,800
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.4%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

14.3%
40%

International

International student share

255
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
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.

Brighton

93 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India12.1%
  • 🇨🇳China7.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5%
  • 🇺🇸United States5%
  • 🇪🇬Egypt3.6%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

60 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 Brighton

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Anatomy & Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, Nursing (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Planning & Housing, Environmental Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Pharmacy, Computer Science, English Literature, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Human Geography & Environment, Information Systems & Data Science, Education Studies, Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Psychology (General), Social Work, Applied Psychology, Biological Sciences (General), History of Art & Design, Teacher Training, Creative Writing, Marketing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Ecology & Conservation, General Engineering, Humanities, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Philosophy, Health & Social Care, Physical Geography & Climate, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, GIS & Remote Sensing.

Only at University of Brighton

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 Brighton
£17,250
University of Manchester
£32,300

University of Brighton is about £15,050 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Brighton
£18,790
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Brighton is about £8,010 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 Brighton

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction77%

  • Management

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    97%Satisfaction85%

  • Design & Fashion

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    80%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    74%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    78%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Biology

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    75%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Brighton

Ruby Lee Progression scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

University of Brighton outreach progression scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Royal Town Planning Institute scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Vice-Chancellor Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

Widening Access Bursary

£3,000

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 Brighton vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,250 a year at University of Brighton and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Brighton is about £15,050 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,790 a year at University of Brighton and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Brighton is about £8,010 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 Brighton and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, Management, Economics, Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies and 48 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Brighton, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at University of Brighton and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Brighton lists 255 courses.

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

University of Brighton teaches 11 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Building & Construction, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Fine Art, Journalism, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Sciences (General), Complementary & Alternative Medicine and 3 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 56 subject areas that University of Brighton does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Chemistry, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology and 48 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Brighton255 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses