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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 Stirling

Stirling · QS World #560

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.

10/11

Manchester

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

1/11

Stirling

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 10 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Stirling is ahead on employment.

University of Manchester vs University of Stirling at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Stirling both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and Mathematics. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Stirling offers 254 courses across 60 subject areas.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 21 and University of Stirling in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £30,500 from University of Stirling. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 13 and University of Stirling in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#560
#56
THE World
#501
#29
Guardian UK
#50
1824
Established
1967
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 Stirling

85.1%
85%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£31,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
80.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
18.4%

International

International student share

1041
254

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
0

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

Stirling

75 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15%
  • 🇺🇸United States13.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.8%

Subjects

49 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 Stirling

Also taught at both: Environmental Sciences, Accounting, Planning & Housing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Linguistics, Spanish & Portuguese, Education Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Computer Science, English Studies, Teacher Training, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Philosophy, Social Work, Physical Geography & Climate, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Business Information Systems, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, Humanities, Adult Nursing, Health & Social Care, Liberal Arts, Theology & Religious Studies, Applied Computing, Cultural Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Software Engineering.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of Stirling

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 Stirling
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Stirling yet.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Stirling
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Stirling yet.

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 Stirling

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction73%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    81%SatisfactionNo data

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    85%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    91%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Psychology (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction80%

  • French

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction84%

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 Stirling

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of Stirling: common questions

What subjects can you study at both University of Manchester and University of Stirling?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Economics, History, Law, Management, Psychology (General), Business Studies, French, Media & Film Studies and 37 more.

Is University of Manchester or University of Stirling better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £22,500 from University of Stirling. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Manchester and 93% at University of Stirling. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Stirling lists 254 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 67 subject areas that University of Stirling does not, including Physics, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Statistics and 59 more.

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

University of Stirling teaches 11 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Publishing, Veterinary Medicine, Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Community & Specialist Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 3 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 Stirling254 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses