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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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.

7/11

Cambridge

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Manchester

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, graduate salary). University of Manchester is ahead on employment, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Cambridge vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Cambridge and University of Manchester both teach 69 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Physics and Chemical Engineering. University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £14,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 19 and University of Manchester in 1. The widest gap is in Economics: £59,500 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, against £32,500 from University of Manchester. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 12 and University of Manchester in 5, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#6
QS World
#40
#3
THE World
#56
#2
Guardian UK
#29
1209
Established
1824
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
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 Cambridge

University of Manchester

92.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£49,800
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

76.6%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

32.2%
40%

International

International student share

336
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

69 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 Cambridge

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Asian Languages & Studies, Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Medicine, Statistics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Planning & Housing, Geology & Earth Sciences, Linguistics, Architecture, Information Systems & Data Science, Media & Film Studies, Anthropology, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Pharmacology, General Engineering, Geography (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Music, Psychology (General), Archaeology, Business Studies, Computer Science, International Development, Philosophy, Aerospace Engineering, Biotechnology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Zoology & Animal Biology, History of Art & Design, Classical Studies, Creative Writing, Theology & Religious Studies, Ancient Languages, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Information & Library Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Eastern European Languages, English Studies, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, American & Comparative Studies, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Humanities, Social Policy & Public Policy, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge
£32,890
University of Manchester
£32,300

University of Manchester is about £590 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cambridge
£41,300
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Manchester is about £14,500 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 Cambridge

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £43,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £44,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £59,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £49,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Medicine

    £47,500Salary (3 years)£48,500
    85%Satisfaction86%

  • Planning & Housing

    £48,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Linguistics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Education Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,890 a year at University of Cambridge and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £590 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £41,300 a year at University of Cambridge and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £14,500 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 Cambridge and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 69 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Mathematics, Economics, History, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences (General), Chemistry, Dentistry and 57 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from University of Cambridge, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cambridge lists 336 courses.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 10 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Veterinary Medicine, Celtic Studies, Building & Construction, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Animal Science, Heritage & Conservation, Landscape Architecture & Design, Technology & Logistics and 2 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 47 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Microbiology & Cell Biology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Nursing (General), French, Environmental Sciences, English Literature, Healthcare Science, Spanish & Portuguese and 39 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses