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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 Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

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.

1/10

Chester

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

Manchester

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Chester is ahead on employment.

University of Chester vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Chester and University of Manchester both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and Chemical Engineering. University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Chester is about £17,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Chester is about £11,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 28 and University of Chester in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £23,000 three years after graduating from University of Chester, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 18 and University of Chester in 8, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#40
#1501
THE World
#56
#91
Guardian UK
#29
1839
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 Chester

University of Manchester

83.9%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.7%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

28.7%
40%

International

International student share

329
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.

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%
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 Chester

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, French, Geography (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Media & Film Studies, Computer Science, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Archaeology, Business Studies, Education Studies, Music, Spanish & Portuguese, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Accounting, Asian Languages & Studies, Marketing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Social Work, Software Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Biotechnology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Teacher Training, Ancient Languages, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Adult Nursing, Drama & Theatre, Information & Library Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Midwifery, Business Information Systems, Children's Nursing, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, English Studies, Forensic Science, Humanities, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Performing Arts (General), General Engineering.

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950
University of Manchester
£32,300

University of Chester is about £17,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Chester
£15,500
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Chester is about £11,300 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 Chester

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemical Engineering

    No dataSalary (3 years)£36,000
    69%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    79%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    No dataSatisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
    75%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Psychology (General)

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    73%Satisfaction86%

  • Medicine

    No dataSalary (3 years)£48,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Biology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    82%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

See details

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 Chester vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £14,950 a year at University of Chester and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Chester is about £17,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Chester and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Chester is about £11,300 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 Chester and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Chemical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Chemistry, Law, History, Psychology (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Biomedical Sciences and 48 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Chester, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Chester and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Chester lists 329 courses.

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

University of Chester teaches 13 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Animal Science, Agriculture & Land Management, Games Design & Computer Animation, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Social Sciences (General) and 5 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 56 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Management, Civil Engineering, Materials Science and 48 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses