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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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.

5/11

Exeter

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

Manchester

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, courses, scholarship). University of Exeter is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary.

University of Exeter vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Exeter and University of Manchester both teach 78 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Physics and Mathematics. University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Exeter is about £7,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Exeter is about £1,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 27 and University of Manchester in 9, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £43,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, against £29,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Exeter is higher in 22 and University of Manchester in 13, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#136
QS World
#40
#170
THE World
#56
#14
Guardian UK
#29
1922
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 Exeter

University of Manchester

87.7%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£39,800
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.8%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.2%
40%

International

International student share

873
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
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.

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

78 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 Exeter

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History of Art & Design, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Public Health & Epidemiology, General Engineering, Materials Science, Psychology (General), Human Geography & Environment, Nursing (General), Environmental Sciences, Statistics, Biology, Business Studies, Clinical Specialities, Medicine, Zoology & Animal Biology, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Genetics & Genomics, Theology & Religious Studies, French, Mechanical Engineering, Anthropology, Ecology & Conservation, Geography (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Education Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Creative Writing, German & Scandinavian Studies, Humanities, Marketing, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Italian, Performing Arts (General), American & Comparative Studies, Forensic Science, Liberal Arts, Cultural Studies, Eastern European Languages, English Language, Computing & IT, Nutrition & Dietetics, Adult Nursing, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950
University of Manchester
£32,300

University of Exeter is about £7,350 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Exeter
£25,550
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Exeter is about £1,250 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 Exeter

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £39,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £40,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Biochemistry

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 41 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

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 Exeter vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,950 a year at University of Exeter and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Exeter is about £7,350 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,550 a year at University of Exeter and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Exeter is about £1,250 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 Exeter and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 78 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Physics, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), History, Law, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences and 66 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Exeter, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Exeter and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Exeter lists 873 courses.

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

University of Exeter teaches 13 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Safety & Mining Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Natural Sciences, Naval Architecture, Social Sciences (General), Celtic Studies, Minerals & Mining Technology and 5 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 38 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Chemistry, Planning & Housing, Linguistics, English Literature, Healthcare Science, Pharmacology and 30 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses