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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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.

8/11

Manchester

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

South Wales

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses). University of South Wales is ahead on satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

University of Manchester vs University of South Wales at a glance

University of Manchester and University of South Wales both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General) and Healthcare Science. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £16,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £8,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 20 and University of South Wales in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £19,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 15 and University of Manchester in 6, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#1201
#56
THE World
#1201
#29
Guardian UK
#83
1824
Established
1913
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

85.1%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
22%

International

International student share

1041
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

47 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Statistics, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Teacher Training, Education Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Accounting, Computer Science, Drama & Theatre, Forensic Science, Marketing, Software Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Medical Sciences, Social Work, Health & Social Care, Midwifery, Applied Computing, Human Resource Management, English Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, General Engineering, Operational Research, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £16,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £8,900 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 South Wales

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    88%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    89%Satisfaction96%

  • Nursing (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    No dataSatisfaction83%

  • Management

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    79%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    91%Satisfaction95%

  • Biology

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    91%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is University of Manchester or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £16,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £8,900 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Healthcare Science, Law, Nursing (General), Management, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering and 35 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £19,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Manchester and 94% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Manchester or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at University of South Wales?

University of Manchester teaches 69 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Mathematics, Materials Science and 61 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at University of Manchester?

University of South Wales teaches 16 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Community & Specialist Nursing, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Sciences (General), Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Journalism and 8 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
U
University of South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses