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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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.

5/10

Leeds

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Manchester

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Leeds and University of Manchester are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. University of Leeds is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, scholarship; University of Manchester on ranking, established, international, courses.

University of Leeds vs University of Manchester at a glance

University of Leeds and University of Manchester both teach 99 subject areas, the largest being Physics, Politics & International Relations and Civil Engineering. University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £1,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £4,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 58 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 36 and University of Manchester in 16, with 6 about level. The widest gap is in Microbiology & Cell Biology: £35,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, against £27,500 from University of Manchester. Of the 59 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 31 and University of Leeds in 21, with 7 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#77
QS World
#40
#118
THE World
#56
#15
Guardian UK
#29
1904
Established
1824
Yes
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 Leeds

University of Manchester

85.7%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£37,200
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.7%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

31.5%
40%

International

International student share

579
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

13
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.

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
VS

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Subjects

99 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 Leeds

University of Manchester

Also taught at both: Business Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Design & Fashion, Materials Science, Media & Film Studies, Public Health & Epidemiology, Computer Science, Music, Statistics, Business & Management (General), Education Studies, Linguistics, Genetics & Genomics, Medicine, Biology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Planning & Housing, Anatomy & Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, Asian Languages & Studies, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Philosophy, French, Information Systems & Data Science, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Zoology & Animal Biology, Aerospace Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Pharmacology, Spanish & Portuguese, Ancient Languages, Biological Sciences (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Healthcare Science, International Development, Drama & Theatre, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Personal & Professional Development, Polymer & Textiles Technology, Psychology (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, History of Art & Design, Medical Sciences, Theology & Religious Studies, Architecture, English Studies, Information & Library Studies, Marketing, Materials Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics, Teacher Training, Ecology & Conservation, German & Scandinavian Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Classical Studies, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Eastern European Languages, Health & Social Care, Italian, Midwifery, Physical Geography & Climate, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, GIS & Remote Sensing, Mental Health Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cultural Studies, English Language, General Engineering, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700
University of Manchester
£32,300

University of Manchester is about £1,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Leeds
£31,500
University of Manchester
£26,800

University of Manchester is about £4,700 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 Leeds

University of Manchester

  • Physics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction77%

  • Chemistry

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Management

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction84%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    92%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Dentistry

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£48,500
    92%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 62 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

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 Leeds vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £33,700 a year at University of Leeds and £32,300 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £1,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £31,500 a year at University of Leeds and £26,800 at University of Manchester: University of Manchester is about £4,700 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 Leeds and University of Manchester?

Both universities teach 99 subject areas: Physics, Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Economics, Mathematics, Chemical Engineering, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Law, Dentistry and 87 more.

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

Physics graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Leeds, and £34,000 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Leeds and 89% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leeds lists 579 courses.

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

University of Leeds teaches 11 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Medical Imaging, Natural Sciences, Food Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art, Film Production & Cinematography, Social Sciences (General), Agricultural Sciences and 3 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 17 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Nursing (General), Clinical Specialities, Anthropology, Geography (General), Optometry & Ophthalmics, Accounting, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Archaeology and 9 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses