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 Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

U
University of Northampton

Northampton · QS World #1201

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.

9/11

Manchester

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Northampton

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Northampton is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

University of Manchester vs University of Northampton at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Northampton both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Biochemistry and Business & Management (General). University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Northampton offers 221 courses across 60 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £19,000 at University of Northampton: University of Northampton is about £7,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 23 and University of Northampton in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Business Information Systems: £42,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £24,000 from University of Northampton. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Northampton is higher in 13 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.

#40
QS World
#1201
#56
THE World
#1501
#29
Guardian UK
#93
1824
Established
1975
Yes
Russell Group
No
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 Manchester

University of Northampton

85.1%
86%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£29,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
82.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
16.4%

International

International student share

1041
221

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
0

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.

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

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

Northampton

35 countries · 16.4% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria18.2%
  • 🇮🇳India14.2%
  • 🌐Nepal8.3%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana4.1%

Subjects

48 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 Manchester

University of Northampton

Also taught at both: Computer Science, Music, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Pharmacology, Business Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Accounting, Clinical & Health Psychology, Marketing, Biological Sciences (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Teacher Training, Mental Health Nursing, Business Information Systems, Drama & Theatre, Midwifery, Physical Geography & Climate, English Studies, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Social Policy & Public Policy, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Children's Nursing.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of Northampton

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 Manchester
£32,300
University of Northampton
No data

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

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Northampton
£19,000

University of Northampton is about £7,800 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 Manchester

University of Northampton

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    87%Satisfaction98%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    86%Satisfaction78%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Nursing (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    No dataSatisfaction97%

  • Education Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Environmental Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    90%Satisfaction95%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    84%Satisfaction72%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

University of Northampton

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of Northampton: common questions

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

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £19,000 at University of Northampton: University of Northampton is about £7,800 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 Manchester and University of Northampton?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Biochemistry, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Law, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History, Public Health & Epidemiology, Nursing (General), Education Studies, Biology and 36 more.

Is University of Manchester or University of Northampton better for Biochemistry?

Biochemistry graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £22,000 from University of Northampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Manchester and 98% at University of Northampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Northampton lists 221 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 68 subject areas that University of Northampton does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Economics, Management, Chemistry, Mathematics and 60 more.

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

University of Northampton teaches 12 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art, Journalism, Film Production & Cinematography, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Crafts & Applied Arts and 4 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

U
University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Northampton221 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses