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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 Salford

Salford · QS World #1001

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

Salford

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 Salford is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

University of Manchester vs University of Salford at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Salford both teach 56 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations and Physics. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £15,260 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £9,090 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 28 and University of Salford in 4. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £23,500 from University of Salford. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 14 and University of Salford in 13, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#1001
#56
THE World
#801
#29
Guardian UK
#82
1824
Established
1896
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 Salford

85.1%
85.2%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£28,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
19.1%

International

International student share

1041
305

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

Salford

63 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%

Subjects

56 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 Salford

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History, Biology, Media & Film Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Psychology (General), Zoology & Animal Biology, English Literature, Information Systems & Data Science, Music, Architecture, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Geography (General), Biomedical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Midwifery, Polymer & Textiles Technology, Biotechnology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Business Information Systems, Accounting, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mental Health Nursing, Philosophy, Physical Geography & Climate, Ecology & Conservation, Applied Computing, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Children's Nursing.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of Salford

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 Salford
£17,040

University of Salford is about £15,260 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Salford
£17,710

University of Salford is about £9,090 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 Salford

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    88%Satisfaction74%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    89%Satisfaction98%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    87%Satisfaction73%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    84%Satisfaction80%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    92%Satisfaction99%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Nursing (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    No dataSatisfaction94%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 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 Salford

Salford/International Nursing College Scholarships

£8,160

Deadline: N/A

Salford/EATL Data Science Scholarships

£7,100

Deadline: N/A

Global Gold Excellence Scholarship

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Global Silver Excellence Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

IFY Excellence Scholarship

£2,500

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of Salford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £15,260 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £9,090 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 Salford?

Both universities teach 56 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Physics, Biochemistry, Sociology & Criminology, Chemistry, Management, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Nursing (General) and 44 more.

Is University of Manchester or University of Salford better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £21,500 from University of Salford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Manchester and 74% at University of Salford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Salford lists 305 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 60 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Economics, Materials Science, Statistics, Medicine, Anatomy & Pathology and 52 more.

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

University of Salford teaches 16 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Dance, Fine Art, Social Sciences (General), Complementary & Alternative Medicine and 8 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 Salford305 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses