University of Edinburgh vs University of Manchester Comparison

University of Edinburgh vs University of Manchester

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University of Edinburgh, based in Scotland's capital, is a top-ranked Russell Group university with approximately 49,000 students. It is approximately 10%, highly selective when it comes to international student admissions. Edinburgh is globally well-known for Informatics, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Business, and Social Sciences. Alumni have median salaries of approximately INR 55–65 lakhs per annum (?£55,000–65,000 or $65,000–78,000, ten years post-graduation).

The University of Manchester, located in England, is among the UK's largest universities with a student base of more than 40,000. Its acceptance rate stands at approximately 76%, slightly higher than Edinburgh's. Some popular courses are Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Business, and Humanities. Manchester graduates command median salaries of INR 50–60 lakhs per annum (?£50,000–60,000 or $62,000–74,000 a decade after graduation).

Overview Comparison
University of EdinburghThe University of Manchester
Collegedunia Score6.9 Out of 106.5 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 13 The Guardian 2026
# 29 Times Higher Education 2026
# 34 QS World University 2026
# 35 QS World University 2026
# 36 The Guardian 2026
# 56 Times Higher Education 2026
Subject Strength# 58 for Engineering by QS World University 2025
# 24 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
# 20 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 32 for Engineering by QS World University 2025
# 33 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 25 for Law by The Guardian 2026
ProgramsUG Programs -41
PG Programs -73
Doctorate Programs -8
UG Programs -143
PG Programs -122
Doctorate Programs -6
Acceptance Rate10.0 %76.0 %
Exam ScoreIELTS-7
PTE-73
TOEFL-100
GMAT-650
GRE-330
IELTS-6.5
PTE-59
SAT-1090
TOEFL-109
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   34713
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  28380
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 5200 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   31680
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  31200
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 15940 Per Year
placement (average package)

The University of Edinburgh is one of the top public universities in Edinburgh, United Kingdom. It is ranked #15 in QS World University Rankings 2023.Graduate Employability Ranking #49;Top recruiters: Tesco Bank, Royal Bank of Scotland, Avaloq Evolution AG, Scottish Government; 

Average Salaries by the degree:

  • MBA: $129,000 
  • Bachelor (Other): $99,000 
  • Executive MBA: $93,000 
  • PhD: $80,000 
  • Executive Masters: $75,000 
  • Masters of Arts: $69,000 

The University of Manchester is one of the top public universities in Manchester, United Kingdom. It is ranked #28 in QS World University Rankings 2023.

  • LLM  : $104,000
  • Executive MBA : $98,000 
  • Executive Masters  : $95,000 
  • MBA   :  $85,000 
  • Doctorate  : $64,000 
  • Other Degree : $62,000 

application requirements

Transcripts; Proof of English Language Proficiency; Portfolio; Work experience; LORs; Resume; Standardized scores (Optional); Research papers.

Indian students applying for bachelors must have at least 80%, PG aspirants must have a first-class degree. 

Campuses and B-SchoolsNAAlliance Manchester Business School
CollegeDunia Reviews7.3/10 Read 29 reviews7.8/10 Read 38 reviews

Top Courses Comparison

Top Courses Comparison

ranking# 6 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 73 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 121 for Business by QS World University 2025
# 18 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 32 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 45 for Business by QS World University 2025
application-# 113 Admissions
exam scoresGMAT - 600/800IELTS - 7/9PTE - 73/90TOEFL - 100/120IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 90/120
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesOct 15, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Nov 26, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Jan 28, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Mar 4, 2026 (Round 4 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Apr 22, 2026 (Round 5 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Jun 10, 2026 (Round 6 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Feb 15, 2025 (Round 4 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Nov 16, 2025 (Round 2 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Jan 4, 2026 (Round 3 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Mar 29, 2026 (Round 5 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
May 3, 2026 (Round 6 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
Sep 28, 2025 (Round 1 Application Deadline for 2026 Intake)
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of EdinburghThe University of Manchester
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1583
1824
Student:Faculty Ratio:1
13:1:1
Male:Female62% Male, 0% Female47% Male, 53% Female
Location Facts

5 campuses in Edinburgh- Central, King's Buildings, BioQuarter, Western General, Easter Bush; Comprises of 135 acres of land.


The university is located on the south side of city center, mainly on the Oxford road area and Sackville Street area. The Oxford Road campus is located close to city center and curry mile.  


Library

Over 3.5 million books; 60 km of Special Collections; Museum and Art Collections; 85,000+ e-journals; 600,000 e-books.


University library has 4 million titles, 41,000 electronic journals; 500,000 e-books. It is one of the five national research libraries.


Campus Life

Over 290 clubs & societies; Exhibitions; Festivals; Open Days; Gifford Lectures; 10 gyms including- spin studio, Velo-city, Katherine Grainger Rowing Gym, 102-station cardiovascular gym, etc.; 60 Sports clubs; 25-metre, six-lane swimming pool; Multi-activity sports halls; Peffermill Playing Fields.


The campus has its own museums, art galleries, theatres, a music venue- Manchester academy, and much more. Over 400 student clubs and societies are offered by the largest student union of the UK at the University of Manchester. Jodrell Bank Discovery Center is utilized for conducting exhibitions, and activities engaging physics, astronomy, etc. From freshly brewed coffee to pizza’s all kinds of shops are available on-campus.


Hostel-#Board and Room --Undergraduate - $7360
#Board and Room --Postgraduate - $8580
Famous Alumni

3 UK PM’s; 19 Nobel laureates; 3 Turing Award laureates; 1 Fields Medalist; 1 Abel Prize winner; 2 Pulitzer Prize winners; 2 currently sitting UK Supreme Court Justices; several Olympic gold medallists; Robert Edwards (pioneer of in-vitro fertilization); Daniel Rutherford; Alexander Graham Bell; William Wordsworth; Sir Arthur Conan Doyle; Charles Darwin; Ian Charleson (Actor); J.K. Rowling; Gordon Brown (Former PM of UK)


Benedict Cumberbatch (actor), Andre Geim (physicist), Ben Alton (comedian), James Chadwick (physicist), Toby Jones (actor), Meera Sayal (comedian), Arthur Eddington (astronomer), Liam Byrne (MP in UK Parliament), Nick Brown (MP in UK Parliament), etc. 


City Life

Edinburgh- seat of the Scottish Government, Parliament and the supreme courts of Scotland; 2nd most populous city in Scotland; Known for National Museum of Scotland, National Library of Scotland, Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh International Festival, Fringe (world's largest annual international arts festival), Palace of Holyroodhouse; Unemployment rate 2.9%.


Manchester is recognized as UK’s most liveable and popular city. The city offers live, classical music performances and a buzzing social scene with various pubs and discos catering to audiences with different musical interests. Sports activities in the city are taken seriously, from football teams like Manchester United to Lancashire Cricket Club, every sport is encouraged. Shop around at Trafford Center, Northern Quarter, Harvey Nichols, and Selfridges. The unemployment rate of the city is around 5%.


Weather
Comparison Notes

University of Edinburgh vs University of Manchester

Subject Strength & Rankings (2025/2026)

Edinburgh is always placed in the Top 30–40 in the world, leading in Informatics, AI, Veterinary Medicine, and Social Sciences. Manchester is normally placed in the Top 35–70 in the world, leading in Engineering, Materials Science, Business, and Life Sciences. Edinburgh marginally leads in global stature, while Manchester leads in applied sciences and industry-related research.

General Information

Edinburgh provides a traditional but contemporary student experience in Scotland's capital city, with a strong community of international students. Manchester, located in England's second-largest city, is a highly cosmopolitan, city-based experience with one of the UK's largest student populations.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

Edinburgh is more competitive (10%), particularly for Computer Science, Medicine, and Veterinary Medicine. Manchester's acceptance rate (~76%) makes it relatively much less competitive, although competition for Medicine and Engineering is very strong.

Research Impact & Facilities

Both are Russell Group institutions with international reputations. Edinburgh is strong in AI, Informatics, and Veterinary Science. Manchester is well-known for engineering, materials research, and medical science, famously associated with the discovery of graphene.

Cost & Financial Aid

Overseas fees for Edinburgh vary between £22,000–37,000, whereas Manchester's fees average £21,000–32,000 based on the course. The cost of living is slightly less in Manchester than in Edinburgh, so it is a little cheaper.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

Edinburgh graduates are known worldwide in government, academia, and technology. Manchester graduates are well-positioned in business, research, and industry, with strong connections to English and European employers. Edinburgh has greater international brand recognition, whereas Manchester has scale, value for money, and exceptional research-led opportunities.