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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/10

Manchester

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

Southampton

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester and University of Southampton are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. University of Manchester is ahead on ranking, established, international, courses; University of Southampton on ranking, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, scholarship.

University of Manchester vs University of Southampton at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Southampton both teach 79 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics and Politics & International Relations. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £6,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Manchester is about £4,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 45 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 34 and University of Manchester in 9, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £30,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £39,500 from University of Southampton. Of the 43 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Southampton is higher in 21 and University of Manchester in 18, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#111
#56
THE World
#129
#29
Guardian UK
#16
1824
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
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 Southampton

85.1%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
35.1%

International

International student share

1041
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

79 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Management, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Law, Environmental Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Aerospace Engineering, English Literature, Statistics, Medicine, Nursing (General), Design & Fashion, Biology, Clinical Specialities, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Computer Science, Archaeology, Education Studies, Healthcare Science, Ancient Languages, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Information Systems & Data Science, Pharmacology, Accounting, Anthropology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Psychology (General), Biomedical Engineering, Philosophy, International Development, Marketing, Zoology & Animal Biology, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Human Geography & Environment, Software Engineering, Teacher Training, Social Policy & Public Policy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health & Social Care, Information & Library Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Midwifery, Adult Nursing, Business Information Systems, Ecology & Conservation, English Language, English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mental Health Nursing, Operational Research, Applied Computing, Computing & IT, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Resource Management, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Cultural Studies, Personal & Professional Development.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £6,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Southampton
£31,200

University of Manchester is about £4,400 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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    88%Satisfaction80%

  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    77%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 47 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £6,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £31,200 at University of Southampton: University of Manchester is about £4,400 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 79 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Chemical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, General Engineering, Economics, Chemistry, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology and 67 more.

Is University of Manchester or University of Southampton better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at University of Manchester and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Southampton lists 545 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 37 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Dentistry, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Anatomy & Pathology, Genetics & Genomics, Planning & Housing, French, Linguistics and 29 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 12 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Marine Engineering & Technology, Community & Specialist Nursing, Building & Construction, Fine Art, Heritage & Conservation, Creative Arts (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 4 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses