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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/9

Cumbria

scored higher in 1 category

VS

8/9

Manchester

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment.

University of Cumbria vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Cumbria and University of Manchester both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Management, Childhood & Youth Studies and Sociology & Criminology. University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Cumbria is about £16,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Cumbria is about £9,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 14 and University of Cumbria in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Business Studies: £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, against £30,500 from University of Manchester. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 7 and University of Cumbria in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#40
—
THE World
#56
#101
Guardian UK
#29
2007
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 Cumbria

University of Manchester

80.5%
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

89.4%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.6%
40%

International

International student share

136
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

30 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 Cumbria

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computer Science, Teacher Training, Ecology & Conservation, Midwifery, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Health & Social Care, Physical Geography & Climate, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Plant Sciences, Children's Nursing.

Only at University of Cumbria

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 Cumbria
£16,000
University of Manchester
£32,300

University of Cumbria is about £16,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Cumbria
£16,900
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Cumbria is about £9,900 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 Cumbria

University of Manchester

  • Management

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    76%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    70%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Nursing (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    74%SatisfactionNo data

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    100%Satisfaction86%

  • Environmental Sciences

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    77%Satisfaction90%

  • Business Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Design & Fashion

    £17,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    74%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Zoology & Animal Biology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    77%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

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 Cumbria vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at University of Cumbria and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Cumbria is about £16,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,900 a year at University of Cumbria and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Cumbria is about £9,900 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 Cumbria and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Management, Childhood & Youth Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Law, Nursing (General), Biomedical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies and 18 more.

Is University of Cumbria or University of Manchester better for Management?

Management graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Cumbria, and £29,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at University of Cumbria and 84% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 10 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Forestry & Arboriculture, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Fine Art, Medical Imaging, Games Design & Computer Animation and 2 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 86 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Politics & International Relations, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Chemistry and 78 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses
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University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses