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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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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.

4/11

Manchester

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Oxford

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, TEF, established, satisfaction, graduate salary). University of Manchester is ahead on employment, international, courses, scholarship.

University of Manchester vs University of Oxford at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Oxford both teach 71 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, History and Physics. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £43,600 at University of Oxford: University of Manchester is about £11,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Manchester is about £11,630 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 27 and University of Manchester in 1. The widest gap is in Law: £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £52,500 from University of Oxford. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 18 and University of Manchester in 7, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#4
#56
THE World
#1
#29
Guardian UK
#1
1824
Established
1096
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Oxford

85.1%
92.5%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£50,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
37.2%

International

International student share

1041
642

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
1

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

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%

Subjects

71 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 Oxford

Also taught at both: Chemistry, Clinical Specialities, Eastern European Languages, English Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, Italian, Civil Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Statistics, Anatomy & Pathology, Biology, Business & Management (General), Ancient Languages, Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Genetics & Genomics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Anthropology, General Engineering, Music, Theology & Religious Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computer Science, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Pharmacology, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, Archaeology, International Development, Philosophy, Social Work, Clinical & Health Psychology, Design & Fashion, Geography (General), Human Geography & Environment, History of Art & Design, Information & Library Studies, Health & Social Care, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, English Language, Humanities, American & Comparative Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600

University of Manchester is about £11,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Oxford
£38,430

University of Manchester is about £11,630 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 Oxford

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    91%Satisfaction96%

  • Physics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Spanish & Portuguese

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Classical Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    97%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£46,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • French

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    95%Satisfaction96%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£52,500
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Linguistics

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

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 Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of Oxford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £43,600 at University of Oxford: University of Manchester is about £11,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £38,430 at University of Oxford: University of Manchester is about £11,630 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 Oxford?

Both universities teach 71 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, History, Physics, Spanish & Portuguese, Classical Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics, French, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, German & Scandinavian Studies and 59 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £38,500 from University of Oxford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Manchester and 89% at University of Oxford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Oxford lists 642 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 45 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Dentistry, Nursing (General), Planning & Housing, Environmental Sciences, Healthcare Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Pharmacy and 37 more.

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

University of Oxford teaches 8 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Welsh Studies, Social Sciences (General), Building & Construction, Celtic Studies, Fine Art, Landscape Architecture & Design, Creative Arts (General) and Film Production & Cinematography.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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University of Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
University of Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses