University of Manchester, in Manchester, England, is among the UK's largest and most highly regarded public research universities, belonging to the Russell Group. It has a population of about 40,000 students. Manchester is internationally recognized for Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Life Sciences, and Humanities programs. Admissions are moderately selective with an acceptance rate of approximately 76%. The university boasts a robust graduation rate of around 87%, with graduates receiving average starting salaries of about GBP £28,000–33,000 (INR 29–34 lakhs) per year.
The University of Bristol, based in Bristol, England, is another Russell Group institution with approximately 27,000 students. It possesses an impressive global reputation for Social Sciences, Law, Medicine, Engineering, and Computer Science courses. Admissions are relatively competitive, with an acceptance percentage of around 12%. Bristol has a graduation rate of around 85%, and students graduate with average entry-level salaries of around GBP £28,000–32,000 (INR 29–33 lakhs) per annum.
| The University of Manchester | University of Bristol | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.5 Out of 10 | 6.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 35 QS World University 2026 # 36 The Guardian 2026 # 56 Times Higher Education 2026 | # 15 The Guardian 2026 # 51 QS World University 2026 # 80 Times Higher Education 2026 |
| Subject Strength | # 32 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 33 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 25 for Law by The Guardian 2026 | # 100 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2025 # 51 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025 # 59 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 |
| Programs | UG Programs -143 PG Programs -122 Doctorate Programs -6 | UG Programs -168 PG Programs -114 Doctorate Programs -49 |
| Acceptance Rate | 76.0 % | 67.0 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-650 GRE-330 IELTS-6.5 PTE-59 SAT-1090 TOEFL-109 | GRE-316 IELTS-6.5 PTE-67 SAT-650 TOEFL-103 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 31680 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 31200 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 15940 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 27200 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 20100 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 9720 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | 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.
| Ranked #61 in QS world University Rankings ; #49 in Graduate Employment Ranking Top Recruiters Are : Atkins, IBM, MI5, AstraZeneca, BT, HSBC, PwC, KPMG, Deloitte etc Bristol University Graduates & Alumni Salaries - By Degree
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| application requirements | Indian students applying for bachelors must have at least 80%, PG aspirants must have a first-class degree. | academic transcripts; 2 academic references; translations of relevant documents; personal statement/essay; research proposal; poof of English language proficiency |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Alliance Manchester Business School | NA |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.8/10 Read 38 reviews | 7.3/10 Read 16 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 27 for Marketing by QS World University 2025 | # 76 for Sciences by Academy Ranking of World Universities 2022 # 92 for Sciences by Times Higher Education 2022 |
| application | - | - |
| exam scores | IELTS - 7.0/9PTE - 76/90TOEFL - 100/120 | IELTS - 7/9PTE - 71/90TOEFL - 95/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -33000 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Dec 7, 2025 (Application Deadline For Stage 1 2026 Intake) Mar 1, 2026 (Application Deadline For Stage 2 2026 Intake) May 3, 2026 (Application Deadline For Stage 3 2026 Intake) Jul 5, 2026 (Application Deadline For Stage 4 2026 Intake) | Aug 27, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | The University of Manchester | University of Bristol |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1824 | 1595 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 13:1:1 | :1 |
| Male:Female | 47% Male, 53% Female | 47% Male, 53% Female |
| Location Facts | 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. | Located in Bristol, England; a gateway to the South West; provides easy access to Bath, Cardiff, surrounding countryside, etc. Students can take a hike to Mendip Hills, discover Glastonbury, Cotswolds, Forest of Dean, local beaches at Weston-super-Mare, Brean Down and Sand Bay, etc. |
| Library | University library has 4 million titles, 41,000 electronic journals; 500,000 e-books. It is one of the five national research libraries. | 10 libraries; 45,000 meters of printed stock; millions of books, ebooks, journals, manuscripts, etc; special collections with materials dating from the 11th century to the present day |
| Campus Life | 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. | 350 societies, sports clubs, groups & support networks; Indoor Sports Centre (consisting of gyms, studios, sports halls, etc.); swimming pool; University Boathouse. |
| Hostel | #Board and Room --Undergraduate - $7360 #Board and Room --Postgraduate - $8580 | #Rent and Bills - $9720 |
| Famous Alumni | 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. | 13 Nobel Prize winners; Simon Pegg (Writer & Actor); Jonathan Evans (Former Head of MI5); Alastair Stewart (Journalist); Paul Dirac (Physicist & Nobel Prize winner); Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma (Former South African Minister of Health); Parambrata Chattopadhyay (Indian Film Actor & Director); William Jack Poulter (Actor). |
| City Life | 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%. | The largest city in the South West; 90 minutes from London; Known for Georgian architecture, gritty graffiti, harbourside living, etc.; Economy based on creative media, electronics, aerospace industries; Home to 30 art galleries; Famous attractions include Bristol Zoo Gardens, At-Bristol, Bristol Harbour, St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol Cathedral, Clifton Suspension Bridge, Cheddar Gorge. |
University of Manchester vs University of Bristol
Topic Strength & International Rankings (2025/2026)
Both Manchester University and Bristol University are part of the UK's esteemed Russell Group and are among the world's top-performing universities. Manchester ranks between 35 and Bristol at around 51 in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Manchester is especially well-established in Engineering, Computer Science, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, and Business, with research and innovation international reputation. Bristol is particularly renowned for Engineering, Law, Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, and Medicine, consistently being within the UK's top 10 for the most subjects.
General Information
University of Manchester, founded in 1824 and re-founded in 2004 through a merger, is one of the big UK universities with a student population of over 45,000. Located in cosmopolitan Manchester city, renowned for its diversity and research-focused academic environment. University of Bristol, founded in 1876, is a mid-sized university with a student population of around 30,000, offering a smaller campus within the historic city of Bristol that blends academic tradition with innovation
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Both are selective universities. Manchester is 76% acceptance rate, with very competitive entry to such programs as Medicine, Engineering, and Business. Bristol is a bit more selective 12%, with good competition for Law, Medicine, and Arts & Humanities. Both have a high international student intake, with admissions tightly focused on academic merit.
Research Impact & Facilities
Both are Russell Group research-intensive institutions with international reputations. Manchester is especially well known for its achievements in physics (discovery of graphene), health science, and social research, and boasts one of the UK's biggest research outputs. Bristol is noted for its specialism in engineering, environmental science, health, and policy research, with close industry partnerships.
Cost & Financial Aid
Since UK public universities, fees are regulated for home students and greater for international students. Both schools offer scholarship and aid opportunities, with Manchester having more opportunities for research funding because it is larger. Bristol, though smaller, offers targeted assistance to international students and academic merit scholarships.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Success
Manchester graduates are very successful in engineering, technology, politics, academia, and business, boasting one of the largest alumni groups in the world. Bristol graduates are very prominent in law, media, government, art, and finance, and the university is especially renowned for producing public service and creative industries leaders.
