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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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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.

9/12

Manchester

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

3/12

Portsmouth

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 9 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Portsmouth is ahead on TEF, satisfaction, employment.

University of Manchester vs University of Portsmouth at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Portsmouth both teach 71 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Management and Sociology & Criminology. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £14,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £8,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 42 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 29 and University of Portsmouth in 6, with 7 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Portsmouth is higher in 22 and University of Manchester in 13, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#662
#56
THE World
#401
#29
Guardian UK
#55
1824
Established
1869
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 Portsmouth

85.1%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
24.5%

International

International student share

1041
446

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

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

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 Portsmouth

Also taught at both: History, Business Studies, Public Health & Epidemiology, Design & Fashion, Nursing (General), Mechanical Engineering, Anatomy & Pathology, Biomedical Sciences, Linguistics, Accounting, Biology, English Literature, Geology & Earth Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Planning & Housing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Architecture, Teacher Training, Finance & Actuarial Science, Information Systems & Data Science, International Development, General Engineering, Healthcare Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Pharmacology, Psychology (General), Marketing, Pharmacy, Ancient Languages, Biomedical Engineering, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Social Work, Biotechnology, Applied Psychology, English Language, Human Geography & Environment, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Mental Health Nursing, Applied Computing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Adult Nursing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Business Information Systems, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Computing & IT, Ecology & Conservation, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering, GIS & Remote Sensing, Operational Research.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900

University of Portsmouth is about £14,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Portsmouth
£18,600

University of Portsmouth is about £8,200 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 Portsmouth

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Management

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction97%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    84%Satisfaction78%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    77%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 43 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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of Portsmouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £14,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £8,200 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 Portsmouth?

Both universities teach 71 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Economics, Dentistry, Law, Biochemistry, Business & Management (General), Mathematics and 59 more.

Is University of Manchester or University of Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Manchester and 87% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 45 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Microbiology & Cell Biology, Chemistry, Materials Science, Statistics, Medicine, Clinical Specialities, Genetics & Genomics, French and 37 more.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 13 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Building & Construction, Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Applied & General Science, Dental Nursing 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
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University of Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses