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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 West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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

West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

University of Manchester vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

University of Manchester and University of the West of Scotland both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Physics and Chemistry. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £16,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,520 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 17 and University of the West of Scotland in 2. The widest gap is in Business Information Systems: £42,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £22,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 8 and University of Manchester in 5, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
—
#56
THE World
#601
#29
Guardian UK
#115
1824
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

85.1%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
30.3%

International

International student share

1041
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

42 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 West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Healthcare Science, Media & Film Studies, Education Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Business Information Systems, Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Zoology & Animal Biology, Applied Computing, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Psychology (General), Social Work, Computing & IT, Human Geography & Environment, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Midwifery, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, English Language, Forensic Science, Marketing, Adult Nursing, Cultural Studies.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £16,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £10,520 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 West of Scotland

  • Physics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%SatisfactionNo data

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction75%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction80%

  • Biology

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    91%Satisfaction99%

  • Healthcare Science

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • Education Studies

    £23,000Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction96%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    79%Satisfaction100%

  • Business Information Systems

    £42,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    85%Satisfaction85%

  • Design & Fashion

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£17,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

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 the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is University of Manchester or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £16,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £10,520 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 West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Law, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Nursing (General), Biology and 30 more.

Is University of Manchester or University of the West of Scotland better for Physics?

Physics graduates earn a median £34,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £23,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at University of Manchester and 95% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does University of Manchester or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at University of Manchester but not at University of the West of Scotland?

University of Manchester teaches 74 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Chemical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Dentistry, Economics, Management, Civil Engineering, Materials Science and 66 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at University of Manchester?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 7 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Social Sciences (General), Community & Specialist Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Journalism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Creative Arts (General) and Technology & Logistics.

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 the West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses