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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 Lancashire

Preston · QS World #1001

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.

3/11

Lancashire

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

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, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Lancashire is ahead on satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

University of Lancashire vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Lancashire and University of Manchester both teach 65 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Law and Chemical Engineering. University of Lancashire offers 363 courses across 82 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,330 a year at University of Lancashire and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Lancashire is about £14,970 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,250 a year at University of Lancashire and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Lancashire is about £7,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 34 and University of Lancashire in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £24,500 three years after graduating from University of Lancashire, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Lancashire is higher in 17 and University of Manchester in 17, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#40
#1001
THE World
#56
#76
Guardian UK
#29
1828
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 Lancashire

University of Manchester

86.8%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£28,100
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.1%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

20.5%
40%

International

International student share

363
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

15
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.

Lancashire

74 countries · 20.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.3%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates9.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8%
  • 🌐Nepal6.6%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.4%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

65 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 Lancashire

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nursing (General), Music, Biology, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Aerospace Engineering, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Education Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Asian Languages & Studies, Social Work, English Literature, Healthcare Science, Media & Film Studies, Pharmacology, Anthropology, Pharmacy, Accounting, Architecture, Clinical & Health Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Nursing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Midwifery, Archaeology, Creative Writing, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Teacher Training, Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Forensic Science, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business Information Systems, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, English Language, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Nutrition & Dietetics, Software Engineering, English Studies, Applied Computing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Children's Nursing, Personal & Professional Development.

Only at University of Lancashire

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 Lancashire
£17,330
University of Manchester
£32,300

University of Lancashire is about £14,970 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Lancashire
£19,250
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Lancashire is about £7,550 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 Lancashire

University of Manchester

  • Physics

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Management

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    71%Satisfaction84%

  • Dentistry

    No dataSalary (3 years)£48,500
    95%Satisfaction77%

  • Medicine

    No dataSalary (3 years)£48,500
    71%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    79%Satisfaction77%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • History

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    100%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 40 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Lancashire

Fee Waiver Scholarship for Sanctuary Seekers

100%

Deadline: N/A

Care-experienced and Estranged Student Graduation Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Estranged Student Support

See details

Deadline: N/A

Journalism Innovation and Leadership PGCert Scholarship

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 Lancashire vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,330 a year at University of Lancashire and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Lancashire is about £14,970 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,250 a year at University of Lancashire and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Lancashire is about £7,550 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 Lancashire and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 65 subject areas: Physics, Law, Chemical Engineering, Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Medicine, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 53 more.

Is University of Lancashire or University of Manchester better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from University of Lancashire, and £34,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Lancashire and 89% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Lancashire lists 363 courses.

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

University of Lancashire teaches 17 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Sciences (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Safety & Mining Engineering, Journalism and 9 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 51 subject areas that University of Lancashire does not, including Politics & International Relations, Biochemistry, Economics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Statistics, Anatomy & Pathology, Clinical Specialities and 43 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Lancashire363 courses · 15 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses