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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/12

Manchester

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

4/12

Plymouth

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 8 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Plymouth is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

University of Manchester vs University of Plymouth at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Plymouth both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering and Dentistry. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £13,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £7,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 41 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 39 and University of Plymouth in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £28,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 20 and University of Manchester in 13, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#691
#56
THE World
#501
#29
Guardian UK
#56
1824
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
No
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 Plymouth

85.1%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
11.9%

International

International student share

1041
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

63 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Statistics, Nursing (General), Design & Fashion, Medicine, Psychology (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Environmental Sciences, Biology, Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Education Studies, Anthropology, Computer Science, Clinical & Health Psychology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Ecology & Conservation, Geography (General), Human Geography & Environment, Physical Geography & Climate, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Nutrition & Dietetics, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Adult Nursing, Midwifery, Accounting, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Medical Sciences, Social Work, Mental Health Nursing, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Drama & Theatre, Marketing, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, General Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £13,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £7,300 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 Plymouth

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Dentistry

    £48,500Salary (3 years)£48,000
    77%Satisfaction95%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Management

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%SatisfactionNo data

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    77%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    87%Satisfaction97%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 42 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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £13,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £7,300 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Chemistry, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Law and 51 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Manchester and 86% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 53 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Clinical Specialities, Genetics & Genomics, Planning & Housing and 45 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 15 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Agriculture & Land Management, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Games Design & Computer Animation and 7 more.

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
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University of Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses