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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 York

York · QS World #158

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.

7/11

Manchester

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

York

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Manchester leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University of York is ahead on ranking, TEF, satisfaction, employment.

University of Manchester vs University of York at a glance

University of Manchester and University of York both teach 75 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Physics and Mathematics. University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £4,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £27,250 at University of York: University of Manchester is about £450 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 20 and University of York in 13, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Law: £24,000 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, against £30,500 from University of York. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of York is higher in 18 and University of Manchester in 16, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#40
QS World
#158
#56
THE World
#154
#29
Guardian UK
#20
1824
Established
1963
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
Gold

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 York

85.1%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,500
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

40%
18.6%

International

International student share

1041
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

6
3

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

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

Subjects

75 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 York

Also taught at both: Music, Philosophy, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Linguistics, Civil Engineering, Archaeology, Education Studies, French, Environmental Sciences, Nursing (General), English Studies, Genetics & Genomics, History of Art & Design, Media & Film Studies, Social Policy & Public Policy, Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Geography & Environment, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business Studies, English Literature, German & Scandinavian Studies, Healthcare Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Spanish & Portuguese, Biomedical Engineering, International Development, Physical Geography & Climate, Design & Fashion, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, Forensic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medical Sciences, Ancient Languages, Architecture, Biotechnology, Italian, Accounting, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Drama & Theatre, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Ecology & Conservation, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Teacher Training, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, General Engineering, Marketing, Midwifery, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, English Language.

Only at University of Manchester

Only at University of York

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 York
£27,500

University of York is about £4,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

University of Manchester
£26,800
University of York
£27,250

University of Manchester is about £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 York

  • Politics & International Relations

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Physics

    £34,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Microbiology & Cell Biology

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    82%Satisfaction73%

  • Law

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemical Engineering

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    85%Satisfaction75%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 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 York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

University of Manchester vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £32,300 a year at University of Manchester and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £4,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £26,800 a year at University of Manchester and £27,250 at University of York: University of Manchester is about £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 York?

Both universities teach 75 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Computer Science, Law, Management, Chemical Engineering and 63 more.

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

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from University of Manchester, and £27,500 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at University of Manchester and 91% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and University of York lists 532 courses.

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

University of Manchester teaches 41 subject areas that University of York does not, including Dentistry, Materials Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Statistics, Medicine, Anatomy & Pathology, Clinical Specialities, Geology & Earth Sciences and 33 more.

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

University of York teaches 7 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Film Production & Cinematography, Building & Construction, Heritage & Conservation, Safety & Mining Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Social Sciences (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 York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses