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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 Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

U
University of Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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.

7/10

Manchester

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Nottingham

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, courses, scholarship). University of Nottingham is ahead on ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary.

University of Manchester vs University of Nottingham at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Nottingham both teach 85 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Politics & International Relations and Chemical Engineering. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: University of Manchester is about £700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,700 a year at University of Manchester and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Manchester is about £6,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 28 and University of Manchester in 6. The widest gap is in Law: £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £34,000 from University of Nottingham. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 17 and University of Nottingham in 12, with 6 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#97
#56
THE World
#145
#29
Guardian UK
#21
1824
Established
1881
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 Manchester

University of Nottingham

85.1%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
21.1%

International

International student share

1041
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

85 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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: History, Business & Management (General), Clinical Specialities, Biomedical Sciences, Law, Linguistics, Materials Science, Anatomy & Pathology, Media & Film Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Philosophy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Medicine, Statistics, Psychology (General), Architecture, Biology, Biotechnology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Genetics & Genomics, Environmental Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, French, Pharmacology, Aerospace Engineering, Pharmacy, Information Systems & Data Science, Music, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, English Literature, International Development, Zoology & Animal Biology, Archaeology, Education Studies, English Studies, History of Art & Design, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Classical Studies, Clinical & Health Psychology, Geography (General), Health & Social Care, Polymer & Textiles Technology, American & Comparative Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Creative Writing, Theology & Religious Studies, Accounting, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cultural Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, Liberal Arts, Physical Geography & Climate, Eastern European Languages, General Engineering, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Social Policy & Public Policy, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

University of Manchester is about £700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£24,700
University of Nottingham
£30,800

University of Manchester is about £6,100 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 Nottingham

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    77%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Management

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction78%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    82%Satisfaction79%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 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 Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: University of Manchester is about £700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,700 a year at University of Manchester and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: University of Manchester is about £6,100 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 85 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Economics, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Management, Biochemistry, Computer Science and 73 more.

Is University of Manchester or University of Nottingham better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £35,500 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Manchester and 86% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Nottingham lists 580 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 31 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Dentistry, Nursing (General), Planning & Housing, Healthcare Science, Spanish & Portuguese, Anthropology, Asian Languages & Studies, Biological Sciences (General) and 23 more.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 13 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Social Sciences (General), Building & Construction, Veterinary Medicine, Food Science, Natural Sciences, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Animal Science, Applied & General Science and 5 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses