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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 Staffordshire

Stoke-on-Trent · Guardian UK #92

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.

9/10

Manchester

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

Staffordshire

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Staffordshire is ahead on employment.

University of Manchester vs University of Staffordshire at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Staffordshire both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General) and Law. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Staffordshire offers 287 courses across 52 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £17,090 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £15,210 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £17,500 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £9,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 20 and University of Staffordshire in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £27,500 from University of Staffordshire. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 10 and University of Staffordshire in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
—
#56
THE World
#1201
#29
Guardian UK
#92
1824
Established
1914
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 Staffordshire

85.1%
83%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£26,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
87.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
4.1%

International

International student share

1041
287

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
1

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

Staffordshire

26 countries · 4.1% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan29.8%
  • 🇮🇳India19.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria9.2%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka5.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%

Subjects

43 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 Staffordshire

Also taught at both: Aerospace Engineering, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Music, Business Studies, Computer Science, Accounting, Applied Computing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Teacher Training, Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Forensic Science, Software Engineering, Health & Social Care, Information & Library Studies, Marketing, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Counselling & Psychotherapy, General Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy.

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 Staffordshire
£17,090

University of Staffordshire is about £15,210 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Staffordshire
£17,500

University of Staffordshire is about £9,300 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 Staffordshire

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction63%
  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction84%
  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    88%Satisfaction88%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    84%Satisfaction89%
  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    77%Satisfaction100%
  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    84%Satisfaction90%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction93%
  • Biomedical Sciences

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction85%
  • Education Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£16,500
    92%Satisfaction90%
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    77%Satisfaction85%
  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£17,000
    93%Satisfaction99%
  • Aerospace Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    79%Satisfaction68%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 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 Staffordshire

Smart Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of Staffordshire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £17,090 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £15,210 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £17,500 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £9,300 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 Staffordshire?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Law, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Biochemistry, Management, Civil Engineering, Psychology (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, History and 31 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £20,000 from University of Staffordshire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Manchester and 63% at University of Staffordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Staffordshire lists 287 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 73 subject areas that University of Staffordshire does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Economics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Materials Science and 65 more.

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

University of Staffordshire teaches 9 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Film Production & Cinematography, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art, Creative Arts (General), Crafts & Applied Arts, Dance, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 1 more.

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