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.
Hatfield · QS World #851
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.
3/11
Hertfordshire
scored higher in 3 categories
8/11
Manchester
scored higher in 8 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Manchester leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Hertfordshire is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international.
University of Hertfordshire vs University of Manchester at a glance
University of Hertfordshire and University of Manchester both teach 68 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). University of Hertfordshire offers 468 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Hertfordshire and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Hertfordshire is about £16,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at University of Hertfordshire and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Hertfordshire is about £8,800 a year cheaper.
Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 24 and University of Hertfordshire in 14. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £32,000 three years after graduating from University of Hertfordshire, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Hertfordshire is higher in 17 and University of Manchester in 15, with 3 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
University of Hertfordshire
University of Manchester
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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.
Hertfordshire
77 countries · 57.5% international
- 🇮🇳India44.6%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan26.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria10.3%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.5%
- 🇨🇳China1.8%
Manchester
120 countries · 40% international
- 🇨🇳China51%
- 🇮🇳India7.6%
- 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
- 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%
Subjects
68 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 Hertfordshire
University of Manchester
Childhood & Youth Studies
43 coursesTypical fee £17,950 (PG)
7 coursesFee not available
Politics & International Relations
11 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
39 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
26 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
16 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Physics
5 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (UG)
33 coursesTypical fee £38,400 (UG)
Law
20 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
17 coursesTypical fee £28,400 (UG)
Mathematics
10 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (UG)
24 coursesTypical fee £36,300 (UG)
Microbiology & Cell Biology
3 coursesTypical fee £20,950 (PG)
31 coursesTypical fee £36,200 (UG)
Computer Science
25 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £37,800 (UG)
Clinical Specialities
12 coursesTypical fee £19,500 (PG)
15 coursesFee not available
Design & Fashion
19 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
8 coursesTypical fee £39,900 (UG)
Economics
1 courseTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
25 coursesTypical fee £32,050 (UG)
Business Studies
16 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £33,100 (UG)
Public Health & Epidemiology
5 coursesTypical fee £19,950 (PG)
19 coursesTypical fee £12,600 (PG)
Civil Engineering
2 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £35,700 (UG)
Sociology & Criminology
2 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
21 coursesTypical fee £27,800 (UG)
Also taught at both: Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, History, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Nursing (General), Biomedical Sciences, Psychology (General), Statistics, Medicine, Biotechnology, Media & Film Studies, Biology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Mechanical Engineering, English Literature, Pharmacy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geography (General), Pharmacology, Education Studies, Healthcare Science, Marketing, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Geography & Environment, Social Work, Human Resource Management, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Accounting, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Teacher Training, Creative Writing, Midwifery, English Language, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Ecology & Conservation, Humanities, Nutrition & Dietetics, Performing Arts (General), Adult Nursing, Applied Computing, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Social Policy & Public Policy.
Only at University of Hertfordshire
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 Hertfordshire
- £15,500
- University of Manchester
- £32,300
University of Hertfordshire is about £16,800 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- University of Hertfordshire
- £18,000
- University of Manchester
- £26,800
University of Hertfordshire is about £8,800 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 Hertfordshire
University of Manchester
Politics & International Relations
£28,500Salary (3 years)£26,50095%Satisfaction88%Business & Management (General)
£26,500Salary (3 years)£29,00085%Satisfaction88%Physics
£29,000Salary (3 years)£34,00089%Satisfaction89%Law
£23,500Salary (3 years)£24,00089%Satisfaction89%Mathematics
£27,500Salary (3 years)£31,00085%Satisfaction83%Computer Science
£32,000Salary (3 years)£44,00078%Satisfaction82%Design & Fashion
£22,500Salary (3 years)£21,00088%Satisfaction88%Economics
£27,500Salary (3 years)£32,50096%Satisfaction85%Business Studies
£26,500Salary (3 years)£30,50091%Satisfaction92%Civil Engineering
£30,000Salary (3 years)£30,50088%Satisfaction77%Sociology & Criminology
£28,500Salary (3 years)£23,50071%Satisfaction84%Aerospace Engineering
£30,000Salary (3 years)£33,00080%Satisfaction79%
Showing the 12 largest of 39 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveUniversity of Hertfordshire
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
FAQ
University of Hertfordshire vs University of Manchester: common questions
Is University of Hertfordshire or University of Manchester cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,500 a year at University of Hertfordshire and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Hertfordshire is about £16,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at University of Hertfordshire and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Hertfordshire is about £8,800 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 Hertfordshire and University of Manchester?
Both universities teach 68 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Physics, Law, Mathematics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Computer Science, Clinical Specialities, Design & Fashion, Economics, Business Studies and 56 more.
Is University of Hertfordshire or University of Manchester better for Politics & International Relations?
Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £28,500 three years after graduating from University of Hertfordshire, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 95% at University of Hertfordshire and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does University of Hertfordshire or University of Manchester offer more courses?
University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Hertfordshire lists 468 courses.
What can you study at University of Hertfordshire but not at University of Manchester?
University of Hertfordshire teaches 18 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Technology & Logistics, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Public Relations and 10 more.
What can you study at University of Manchester but not at University of Hertfordshire?
University of Manchester teaches 48 subject areas that University of Hertfordshire does not, including Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Management, Chemistry, Materials Science, Anatomy & Pathology, Genetics & Genomics and 40 more.
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