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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 Leicester

Leicester · QS World #314

U
University of Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/12

Leicester

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

9/12

Manchester

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Leicester is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, scholarship.

University of Leicester vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Leicester and University of Manchester both teach 65 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Physics and Law. University of Leicester offers 351 courses across 72 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,100 a year at University of Leicester and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Leicester is about £7,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 21 and University of Leicester in 7, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £36,000 three years after graduating from University of Leicester, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Leicester is higher in 19 and University of Manchester in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#314
QS World
#40
#192
THE World
#56
#30
Guardian UK
#29
1921
Established
1824
No
Russell Group
Yes
Gold
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 Leicester

University of Manchester

86.2%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£35,400
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

19.3%
40%

International

International student share

351
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

28
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.

Leicester

81 countries · 19.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada14.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.9%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates1.9%
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 Leicester

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Computer Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Medicine, Statistics, Genetics & Genomics, Anatomy & Pathology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Linguistics, Psychology (General), Ancient Languages, General Engineering, Geography (General), Business Studies, Pharmacy, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Information & Library Studies, Archaeology, Biotechnology, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Medical Sciences, Optometry & Ophthalmics, English Studies, Marketing, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Midwifery, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Business Information Systems, Human Resource Management, Adult Nursing, Applied Computing, Forensic Science, Humanities, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Children's Nursing, Cultural Studies.

Only at University of Leicester

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 Leicester
£25,100
University of Manchester
£32,300

University of Leicester is about £7,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Leicester
No data
University of Manchester
£26,800

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

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 Leicester

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    90%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    82%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • Management

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    76%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 34 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Leicester

International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

ULSB International Deans Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Leicester-King Power Thai Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

£5,000

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 Leicester vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,100 a year at University of Leicester and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Leicester is about £7,200 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 Leicester and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 65 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Physics, Law, Mathematics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Chemistry, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Economics, History, Biological Sciences (General), Biochemistry and 53 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Leicester, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at University of Leicester and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leicester lists 351 courses.

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

University of Leicester teaches 7 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Journalism, Film Production & Cinematography, Medical Imaging, Minerals & Mining Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Public Relations and Social Sciences (General).

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

University of Manchester teaches 51 subject areas that University of Leicester does not, including Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Nursing (General), Biology, Clinical Specialities, Planning & Housing 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 Leicester351 courses · 28 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses