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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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

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.

8/10

Manchester

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Sunderland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of Sunderland is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

University of Manchester vs University of Sunderland at a glance

University of Manchester and University of Sunderland both teach 45 subject areas, the largest being Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry and Law. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £14,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £9,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 19 and University of Sunderland in 2, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £25,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 16 and University of Manchester in 5, 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
#1501
#29
Guardian UK
#86
1824
Established
1901
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 Sunderland

85.1%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
36.5%

International

International student share

1041
193

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

45 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: Biomedical Sciences, Design & Fashion, Education Studies, Healthcare Science, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Pharmacy, Clinical & Health Psychology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Music, Social Work, Teacher Training, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Marketing, Health & Social Care, Performing Arts (General), English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Midwifery, Software Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, General Engineering.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £14,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £9,800 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 Sunderland

  • Biochemistry

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)No data
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    85%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction76%

  • Nursing (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    No dataSatisfactionNo data

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£18,000
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    92%Satisfaction91%

  • Biomedical Sciences

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 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 Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £14,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £9,800 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 45 subject areas: Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Law, Chemistry, Management, Economics, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Nursing (General), Business & Management (General), Geology & Earth Sciences and 33 more.

Is University of Manchester or University of Sunderland better for Biochemistry?

Biochemistry graduates earn a median £26,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £22,500 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at University of Manchester and 90% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 71 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Politics & International Relations, Physics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Dentistry, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, History and 63 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 11 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Film Production & Cinematography, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Journalism, Fine Art, Agriculture & Land Management, Applied & General Science, Games Design & Computer Animation 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
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University of Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses