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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 Kent

Canterbury · QS World #415

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

0/10

Kent

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

10/10

Manchester

scored higher in 10 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 10 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Kent does not lead in any category where both have data.

University of Kent vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Kent and University of Manchester both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Physics and Economics. University of Kent offers 335 courses across 63 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Kent and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Kent is about £8,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £24,700 at University of Manchester: University of Kent is about £4,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Kent is higher in 11 and University of Manchester in 8, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £41,500 three years after graduating from University of Kent, against £30,500 from University of Manchester. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 14 and University of Kent in 6, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#415
QS World
#40
#401
THE World
#56
#47
Guardian UK
#29
1965
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 Kent

University of Manchester

84%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
40%

International

International student share

335
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Kent

85 countries · 16% international

  • 🇮🇳India9.9%
  • 🇨🇳China6.8%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand6.6%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.3%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

58 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 Kent

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Statistics, Business Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Psychology (General), Architecture, English Literature, French, Applied Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Linguistics, Pharmacy, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Mechanical Engineering, Spanish & Portuguese, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Creative Writing, Ecology & Conservation, Marketing, Biotechnology, Forensic Science, German & Scandinavian Studies, Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Drama & Theatre, Social Work, Archaeology, Business Information Systems, Classical Studies, Software Engineering, English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, American & Comparative Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Personal & Professional Development, General Engineering.

Only at University of Kent

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 Kent
£23,500
University of Manchester
£32,300

University of Kent is about £8,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Kent
£20,700
University of Manchester
£24,700

University of Kent is about £4,000 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 Kent

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    82%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Mathematics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Biochemistry

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Management

    No dataSalary (3 years)£29,000
    78%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemistry

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Biology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £41,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Kent

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 Kent vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £23,500 a year at University of Kent and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Kent is about £8,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,700 a year at University of Kent and £24,700 at University of Manchester: University of Kent is about £4,000 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 Kent and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Physics, Economics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Mathematics, Biochemistry, Sociology & Criminology, Management, Chemistry, Law, Biology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 46 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from University of Kent, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Kent and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Kent lists 335 courses.

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

University of Kent teaches 5 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Sciences (General), Animal Science and Technology & Logistics.

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

University of Manchester teaches 58 subject areas that University of Kent does not, including Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Medicine, Nursing (General), Anatomy & Pathology and 50 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Kent335 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses