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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 Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

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

Bristol

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, employment, international, courses). University of Bristol is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary, scholarship.

University of Bristol vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Bristol and University of Manchester both teach 75 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Politics & International Relations and Mathematics. University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Bristol is about £1,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £1,660 a year cheaper.

Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 30 and University of Manchester in 6, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Management: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, against £29,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bristol is higher in 22 and University of Manchester in 14, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#57
QS World
#40
#80
THE World
#56
#13
Guardian UK
#29
1876
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 Bristol

University of Manchester

88%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£43,100
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

77.4%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

33.6%
40%

International

International student share

479
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

54
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.

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

75 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 Bristol

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Business & Management (General), Medicine, Statistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, Education Studies, French, Music, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Healthcare Science, Linguistics, Pharmacology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Accounting, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Spanish & Portuguese, Design & Fashion, Information Systems & Data Science, Aerospace Engineering, Business Studies, Drama & Theatre, English Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Human Geography & Environment, Social Work, Zoology & Animal Biology, Asian Languages & Studies, Geography (General), History of Art & Design, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Classical Studies, General Engineering, German & Scandinavian Studies, Archaeology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Information & Library Studies, Italian, Marketing, Theology & Religious Studies, Creative Writing, Materials Engineering, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Eastern European Languages, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Plant Sciences, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Bristol

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 Bristol
£31,300
University of Manchester
£32,300

University of Bristol is about £1,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Bristol
£28,460
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Manchester is about £1,660 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 Bristol

University of Manchester

  • Physics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £42,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Management

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    73%Satisfaction81%

  • Biochemistry

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Dentistry

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£48,500
    98%Satisfaction77%

  • Chemistry

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Anatomy & Pathology

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    90%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

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 Bristol vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,300 a year at University of Bristol and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Bristol is about £1,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £28,460 a year at University of Bristol and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £1,660 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 Bristol and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 75 subject areas: Physics, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Economics, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Chemistry, Anatomy & Pathology, Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 63 more.

Is University of Bristol or University of Manchester better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £34,500 three years after graduating from University of Bristol, and £34,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Bristol and 89% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bristol lists 479 courses.

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

University of Bristol teaches 8 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Veterinary Medicine, Welsh Studies, Animal Science, Applied & General Science, Social Sciences (General), Specialist Clinical Nursing and Veterinary Sciences & Nursing.

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

University of Manchester teaches 41 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Nursing (General), Clinical Specialities, Genetics & Genomics, Planning & Housing, Environmental Sciences, English Literature and 33 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses