Skip to main content

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 Greater Manchester

Bolton

U
University of the West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/7

Greater Manchester

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

4/7

West of Scotland

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of the West of Scotland leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). University of Greater Manchester is ahead on employment, courses, scholarship.

University of Greater Manchester vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Greater Manchester and University of the West of Scotland both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Education Studies, Psychology (General) and Health & Social Care. University of Greater Manchester offers 281 courses across 56 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Greater Manchester and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Greater Manchester and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,220 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 14 and University of Greater Manchester in 1. The widest gap is in Social Work: £17,500 three years after graduating from University of Greater Manchester, against £30,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 7 and University of Greater Manchester in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
—
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#115
2024
Established
1897
No
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

University of Greater Manchester

University of the West of Scotland

87.7%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£28,500
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.8%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

25.4%
30.3%

International

International student share

281
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
0

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.

Greater Manchester

30 countries · 25.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria46.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan17.7%
  • 🇮🇳India10.8%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh6.6%
VS

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

32 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 Greater Manchester

University of the West of Scotland

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Music, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Politics & International Relations, Technology & Logistics, Creative Arts (General), Midwifery.

Only at University of Greater Manchester

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 Greater Manchester
£17,500
University of the West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £2,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Greater Manchester
£17,500
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £1,220 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 Greater Manchester

University of the West of Scotland

  • Education Studies

    £18,000Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction96%

  • Health & Social Care

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    98%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    79%SatisfactionNo data

  • Social Work

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Accounting

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    80%Satisfaction86%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    100%Satisfaction91%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Music

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • Adult Nursing

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    No dataSatisfaction92%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    83%Satisfaction99%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    78%SatisfactionNo data

Showing the 12 largest of 16 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Greater Manchester

Bolton Sports Bursary 2020/21

See details

Deadline: N/A

Care Experienced Bursary 21-22

See details

Deadline: N/A

Care Leavers Bursary 2020/2021

See details

Deadline: N/A

The Bolton Master's Bursary 2021

See details

Deadline: N/A

The University of Greater Manchester Group Progression Scholarship 2021-22

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Greater Manchester vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Greater Manchester or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Greater Manchester and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £2,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at University of Greater Manchester and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,220 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 Greater Manchester and University of the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Education Studies, Psychology (General), Health & Social Care, Business & Management (General), Nursing (General), Teacher Training, Computing & IT, Law, Business Information Systems, Social Work, Accounting, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 20 more.

Is University of Greater Manchester or University of the West of Scotland better for Health & Social Care?

Health & Social Care graduates earn a median £17,500 three years after graduating from University of Greater Manchester, and £26,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 98% at University of Greater Manchester and 90% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Greater Manchester or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Greater Manchester lists 281 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Greater Manchester but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Greater Manchester teaches 24 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Dentistry, Dance, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Biomedical Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and 16 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Greater Manchester?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 17 subject areas that University of Greater Manchester does not, including Business Studies, Applied Computing, Chemistry, Physics, Social Sciences (General), Aerospace Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Public Health & Epidemiology and 9 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Greater Manchester281 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses