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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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

Liverpool

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, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Liverpool is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction.

University of Liverpool vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Liverpool and University of Manchester both teach 83 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and Music. University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Liverpool is about £300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £3,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 48 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 37 and University of Liverpool in 6, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £32,500 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 48 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Liverpool is higher in 26 and University of Manchester in 21, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#139
QS World
#40
#143
THE World
#56
#28
Guardian UK
#29
1881
Established
1824
Yes
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 Liverpool

University of Manchester

87.7%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£34,300
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.9%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.1%
40%

International

International student share

793
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

2
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.

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

83 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 Liverpool

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Biochemistry, Business Studies, Civil Engineering, Dentistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, English Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, German & Scandinavian Studies, Classical Studies, Italian, Biology, Computer Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Medicine, Philosophy, Public Health & Epidemiology, English Literature, Nursing (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, Planning & Housing, Aerospace Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Mechanical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Pharmacology, Information Systems & Data Science, Architecture, Psychology (General), Biomedical Engineering, Geography (General), Pharmacy, Clinical & Health Psychology, Zoology & Animal Biology, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Human Geography & Environment, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Biological Sciences (General), English Language, General Engineering, Marketing, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Information Systems, Ecology & Conservation, Information & Library Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Computing & IT, Drama & Theatre, Health & Social Care, Software Engineering, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Resource Management, Humanities, Eastern European Languages, Applied Computing, GIS & Remote Sensing, Personal & Professional Development.

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000
University of Manchester
£32,300

University of Liverpool is about £300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Liverpool
£30,000
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Manchester is about £3,200 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 Liverpool

University of Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Music

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Archaeology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    92%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
    87%Satisfaction93%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    91%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 49 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

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 Liverpool vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Liverpool is about £300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,000 a year at University of Liverpool and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £3,200 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 Liverpool and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 83 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Music, Physics, Mathematics, History, Law, Economics, Archaeology, Chemistry, Media & Film Studies, Asian Languages & Studies and 71 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from University of Liverpool, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Liverpool and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Liverpool lists 793 courses.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 11 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Irish Studies, Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural Sciences, Dental Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 3 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 33 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Statistics, Genetics & Genomics, Linguistics, Healthcare Science, Anthropology, Education Studies and 25 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses