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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 Strathclyde

Glasgow · QS World #230

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.

6/11

Manchester

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

Strathclyde

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, international, courses, scholarship). University of Strathclyde is ahead on ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary.

University of Manchester vs University of Strathclyde at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Strathclyde both teach 61 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations and Law. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Strathclyde offers 541 courses across 67 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £22,750 at University of Strathclyde: University of Strathclyde is about £9,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £30,250 at University of Strathclyde: University of Manchester is about £3,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 16 and University of Strathclyde in 8, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £33,500 from University of Strathclyde. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Strathclyde is higher in 24 and University of Manchester 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
#230
#56
THE World
#351
#29
Guardian UK
#25
1824
Established
1796
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 Strathclyde

85.1%
89.6%

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%
84%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
18.8%

International

International student share

1041
541

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

Strathclyde

86 countries · 18.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India31%
  • 🇨🇳China10.5%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.4%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.1%
  • 🌐Oman3.8%

Subjects

61 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 Strathclyde

Also taught at both: Education Studies, Business & Management (General), French, Sociology & Criminology, English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Public Health & Epidemiology, Media & Film Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Sciences, Planning & Housing, Accounting, Clinical Specialities, Computer Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Pharmacy, Psychology (General), Spanish & Portuguese, Biomedical Engineering, Pharmacology, Information Systems & Data Science, Marketing, Design & Fashion, General Engineering, Architecture, Social Work, Aerospace Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Resource Management, Information & Library Studies, Personal & Professional Development, Biotechnology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Human Geography & Environment, Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Mental Health Nursing, Software Engineering, Forensic Science, Humanities, Operational Research, Counselling & Psychotherapy.

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 Strathclyde
£22,750

University of Strathclyde is about £9,550 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Strathclyde
£30,250

University of Manchester is about £3,450 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 Strathclyde

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction91%
  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction94%
  • Physics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction92%
  • Chemical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    84%Satisfaction85%
  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction94%
  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction87%
  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    81%Satisfaction92%
  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    85%Satisfaction84%
  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction88%
  • History

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    91%Satisfaction94%
  • Civil Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    77%Satisfaction87%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 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 Strathclyde

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of Strathclyde: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £22,750 at University of Strathclyde: University of Strathclyde is about £9,550 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £30,250 at University of Strathclyde: University of Manchester is about £3,450 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 Strathclyde?

Both universities teach 61 subject areas: Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations, Law, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Mathematics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Economics, Biochemistry, History, Civil Engineering and 49 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £25,000 from University of Strathclyde. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Manchester and 91% at University of Strathclyde. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Strathclyde lists 541 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 55 subject areas that University of Strathclyde does not, including Dentistry, Materials Science, Medicine, Nursing (General), Anatomy & Pathology, Biology, Genetics & Genomics, Environmental Sciences and 47 more.

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

University of Strathclyde teaches 6 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Naval Architecture, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Building & Construction, Marine Engineering & Technology, Applied & General Science and Sport & Exercise Sciences.

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