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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 the Arts London

London · QS World #851

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 12 datapoints

We looked at 12 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

10/12

Manchester

scored higher in 10 categories

VS

2/12

Arts London

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 10 of 12 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, TEF, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of the Arts London is ahead on employment, international.

University of Manchester vs University of the Arts London at a glance

University of Manchester and University of the Arts London both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Management and Economics. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of the Arts London offers 183 courses across 29 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of the Arts London is about £1,410 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,700 a year at University of Manchester and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of Manchester is about £6,190 a year cheaper.

Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 4 and University of the Arts London in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £44,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £26,500 from University of the Arts London. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Manchester is higher in 5 and University of the Arts London in 0.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#851
#56
THE World
#1501
#29
Guardian UK
#52
1824
Established
1986
Yes
Russell Group
No
Silver
TEF Rating
Bronze

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 the Arts London

85.1%
83%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
80.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
54%

International

International student share

1041
183

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

Arts London

84 countries · 54% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India6%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.4%
  • 🌐Korea (South)3.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.3%

Subjects

21 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 the Arts London

Also taught at both: Creative Writing, Cultural Studies, Applied Computing, Performing Arts (General), Computing & IT, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of the Arts London

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 the Arts London
£30,890

University of the Arts London is about £1,410 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£24,700
University of the Arts London
£30,890

University of Manchester is about £6,190 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 the Arts London

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%SatisfactionNo data

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction80%

  • Music

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    91%Satisfaction70%

  • Drama & Theatre

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    91%Satisfaction76%

  • Computer Science

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    82%Satisfaction80%

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 the Arts London

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of the Arts London: common questions

Is University of Manchester or University of the Arts London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of the Arts London is about £1,410 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,700 a year at University of Manchester and £30,890 at University of the Arts London: University of Manchester is about £6,190 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 the Arts London?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Management, Economics, Business & Management (General), Biology, Media & Film Studies, Music, Drama & Theatre, Information Systems & Data Science, Business Studies, Architecture, Computer Science and 9 more.

Is University of Manchester or University of the Arts London better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £23,500 from University of the Arts London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Manchester and 86% at University of the Arts London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Manchester or University of the Arts London offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of the Arts London lists 183 courses.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at University of the Arts London?

University of Manchester teaches 95 subject areas that University of the Arts London does not, including Politics & International Relations, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Chemistry, Mathematics and 87 more.

What can you study at University of the Arts London but not at University of Manchester?

University of the Arts London teaches 8 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Fine Art, Games Design & Computer Animation, Journalism, Public Relations, Crafts & Applied Arts, Hair & Beauty Sciences and Publishing.

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 the Arts London183 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses