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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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

4/11

Manchester

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

St Andrews

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Manchester is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, employment.

University of Manchester vs University of St Andrews at a glance

University of Manchester and University of St Andrews both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being African & Middle Eastern Studies, French and German & Scandinavian Studies. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £2,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,700 a year at University of Manchester and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Manchester is about £2,500 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 27 and University of Manchester in 6. The widest gap is in Medicine: £48,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £35,000 from University of St Andrews. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 24 and University of Manchester in 5, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#115
#56
THE World
#162
#29
Guardian UK
#3
1824
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

85.1%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
46.1%

International

International student share

1041
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

59 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Geography (General), Microbiology & Cell Biology, English Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Biochemistry, Eastern European Languages, Spanish & Portuguese, Medicine, Statistics, Materials Science, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Teacher Training, Anthropology, Business & Management (General), Philosophy, Psychology (General), Law, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Environmental Sciences, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Zoology & Animal Biology, Human Geography & Environment, Information & Library Studies, Creative Writing, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Ecology & Conservation, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Computing & IT, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Personal & Professional Development, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of St Andrews is about £2,140 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£24,700
University of St Andrews
£27,200

University of Manchester is about £2,500 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 St Andrews

  • African & Middle Eastern Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • French

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • German & Scandinavian Studies

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    91%Satisfaction97%

  • Italian

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    88%Satisfaction98%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    85%Satisfaction93%

  • Classical Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    97%Satisfaction97%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£36,500
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • History of Art & Design

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£37,500
    84%SatisfactionNo data

Showing the 12 largest of 34 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 St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is University of Manchester or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £2,140 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,700 a year at University of Manchester and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: University of Manchester is about £2,500 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, History, Italian, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Ancient Languages, Classical Studies, Mathematics, History of Art & Design, Chemistry and 47 more.

Is University of Manchester or University of St Andrews better for African & Middle Eastern Studies?

African & Middle Eastern Studies graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £30,000 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at University of Manchester and 96% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Manchester or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at University of St Andrews?

University of Manchester teaches 57 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Chemical Engineering, Dentistry, Civil Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Nursing (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Clinical Specialities and 49 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at University of Manchester?

University of St Andrews teaches 5 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Combined & General Studies, Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Applied & General Science and Heritage & Conservation.

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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses