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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 Glasgow

Glasgow · QS World #80

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.

4/9

Glasgow

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

Manchester

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, international, courses, scholarship). University of Glasgow is ahead on ranking, established, satisfaction, employment.

University of Glasgow vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Glasgow and University of Manchester both teach 83 subject areas, the largest being History, Politics & International Relations and Management. University of Glasgow offers 1,022 courses across 97 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,160 a year at University of Glasgow and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Glasgow is about £11,640 a year cheaper.

Of the 49 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 35 and University of Glasgow in 13, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £32,500 three years after graduating from University of Glasgow, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 49 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 26 and University of Glasgow in 21, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#80
QS World
#40
#84
THE World
#56
#12
Guardian UK
#29
1451
Established
1824
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
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 Glasgow

University of Manchester

86.1%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.9%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

35.9%
40%

International

International student share

1022
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

4
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.

Glasgow

121 countries · 35.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China51.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🌐Kuwait1.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong1.5%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

83 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 Glasgow

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Chemical Engineering, Eastern European Languages, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Public Health & Epidemiology, Teacher Training, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, French, Statistics, Education Studies, Music, History of Art & Design, Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies, Anatomy & Pathology, Computer Science, English Language, Medicine, Planning & Housing, Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Nursing (General), Business & Management (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Clinical Specialities, Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Genetics & Genomics, German & Scandinavian Studies, Media & Film Studies, Environmental Sciences, Social Policy & Public Policy, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Aerospace Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Information & Library Studies, Linguistics, Accounting, Business Studies, Italian, Pharmacology, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Geography (General), International Development, Design & Fashion, Software Engineering, Health & Social Care, Medical Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, GIS & Remote Sensing, Creative Writing, Ecology & Conservation, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, Forensic Science, Marketing, Mental Health Nursing, Human Resource Management, Nutrition & Dietetics.

Only at University of Glasgow

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 Glasgow
No data
University of Manchester
£32,300

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Glasgow yet.

Postgraduate

University of Glasgow
£15,160
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Glasgow is about £11,640 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 Glasgow

University of Manchester

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    90%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Management

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    73%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Physics

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Spanish & Portuguese

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £34,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    79%Satisfaction85%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemistry

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

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

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 50 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Glasgow

Minerva Scholarships

£22,000

Deadline: N/A

Excellence Bursaries

100%

Deadline: N/A

Travel Bursaries

£50

Deadline: N/A

School of Computing Science postgraduate research excellence 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 Glasgow vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,160 a year at University of Glasgow and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Glasgow is about £11,640 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 Glasgow and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 83 subject areas: History, Politics & International Relations, Management, Mathematics, Physics, Law, Spanish & Portuguese, Economics, Psychology (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Chemistry, Sociology & Criminology and 71 more.

Is University of Glasgow or University of Manchester better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Glasgow, and £26,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 90% at University of Glasgow and 91% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Glasgow lists 1,022 courses.

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

University of Glasgow teaches 14 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Celtic Studies, Scottish Gaelic, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Animal Science, Veterinary Sciences & Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Veterinary Medicine and 6 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 33 subject areas that University of Glasgow does not, including Materials Science, Biology, Healthcare Science, Anthropology, Pharmacy, Asian Languages & Studies, Polymer & Textiles Technology, Architecture and 25 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Glasgow1,022 courses · 4 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses