Karia Kiritbhai Study Abroad Course Expert
Study Abroad Course Expert
The University of Manchester is a well-regarded public research institution situated in the northwest of England, which has approximately 40,000 students. It is moderately competitive in admissions, with a 76% acceptance rate. The strongest programs are Engineering, Computer Science, Medicine, Business, and Social Sciences. It has a high graduation rate at about 80–85%. Graduates report early career salaries of about INR 36–40 lakhs per annum (£33,000–37,000).
Located in West Yorkshire, the University of Leeds is another major public university focusing on research with a student population of about 39000. The admissions process is somewhat more selective than Liverpool, with an acceptance rate of approximately 64–77%. Some of the flagship programs are in Business, Engineering, Law, and Media Studies. The graduation rate is about 75–80%, and graduates earn about INR 33–37 lakhs (or £30,000–34,000) per year in early career earnings.
| The University of Manchester | University of Leeds | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 6.5 Out of 10 | 5.9 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 35 QS World University 2026 # 36 The Guardian 2026 # 56 Times Higher Education 2026 | # 28 The Guardian 2026 # 86 QS World University 2026 # 118 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 | # 92 for Engineering by QS World University 2025 # 96 for Medicine by QS World University 2025 # 34 for Law by The Guardian 2026 |
| Programs | UG Programs -143 PG Programs -122 Doctorate Programs -6 | UG Programs -129 PG Programs -164 |
| Acceptance Rate | 76.0 % | 56.7 % |
| Exam Score | GMAT-650 GRE-330 IELTS-6.5 PTE-59 SAT-1090 TOEFL-109 | GMAT-600 GRE-299 IELTS-6 PTE-60 SAT-1200 TOEFL-88 |
| 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 34592 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 35277 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 4236 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.
| Graduate Employability Ranking 2023: 52; University of Leeds is one of the top public universities in Leeds, United Kingdom. It is ranked #86 in QS World University Rankings 2023. Average Salaries Of :
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| application requirements | Indian students applying for bachelors must have at least 80%, PG aspirants must have a first-class degree. | Minimum 60% in bachelors for admission in PG; Letter of Intent, Statement of Purpose, CV, at least 2 references |
| Campuses and B-Schools | Alliance Manchester Business School | Leeds University Business School |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.8/10 Read 38 reviews | 7.5/10 Read 56 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 18 for Business by The Guardian 2026 # 32 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 45 for Business by QS World University 2025 | # 11 for Business by The Guardian 2026 # 101 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 # 102 for Business by QS World University 2025 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 90/120 | GMAT - 600/800IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 64/90TOEFL - 88/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -49598 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | 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) | Jul 31, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | The University of Manchester | University of Leeds |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1824 | 1904 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 13:1:1 | 13:1 |
| Male:Female | 47% Male, 53% Female | 40% Male, 60% 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. | Campus is 10 minutes away from Leed’s city center; well-connected with regular public transport services; it has Parkinson Building, Maurice Keyworth Building, Great Hall and Post-war buildings |
| Library | University library has 4 million titles, 41,000 electronic journals; 500,000 e-books. It is one of the five national research libraries. | 5 libraries with 3900 study spaces; Brotherton library: for arts, social sciences, and law; Edward Boyle library: for science and engineering; Health Sciences Library: for medicine and health-related subjects; Laidlaw Library: for group work, bookable space and on-site academic skills support, St James University Hospital Library: supports university’s research & teaching staff, medical & healthcare students and employees of the Hospital trust; |
| 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. | University’s union has over 300 clubs and societies; Free counseling, mental health support groups, workshops, etc; discounted access to university’s sports center: The Edge; Sports Park Weetwood for outdoor sports; various sports clubs and programs; University has shops, cafes, bars, nightclubs, theatre, spa, hairdressers, bank and a student advice center on-campus |
| Hostel | #Board and Room --Undergraduate - $7360 #Board and Room --Postgraduate - $8580 | #Self Catered En-Suite Room - $1404 #Catered En-suite Room - $2460 |
| 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. | George Porter (Nobel Prize in Chemistry); Wole Soyinka (Nobel Prize in Literature); Archer John Porter Martin (Nobel Prize in Chemistry); Emma Mackey (actress); Tony Harrison (poet); Alan Yentob (former BBC executive); Piers Sellers (NASA astronaut) |
| 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%. | Leeds is the largest city of West Yorkshire in Northern England; located approximately 170 miles north of Central London; 30 minutes away from Leeds Bradford international airport; 1 hour away from Manchester airport; Unemployment rate in 2019 was 4.1%; it is the 8th largest engineering center and 2nd largest printing manufacturing center in UK |
| Weather |
University of Manchester vs University of Leeds
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
The University of Manchester is customarily ranked in the global top 30–40 and is worldwide renowned in Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Social Sciences and Life Sciences. The University of Leeds usually ranks in the global top 100–150 and is highly regarded in Business, Social Sciences, Arts & Humanities, Law, and Engineering. On the whole, Manchester has a stronger international reputation and higher ranking, while Leeds has a solid reputation across many disciplines.
General Information
Established in 1824, the University of Manchester is a large, research-intensive university with nearly 46,000 students, making it one of the largest universities in the UK. It prides itself on global research influence and has a vibrant international student population. Founded in 1904, the University of Leeds has approximately 39,000 students and is recognized as a leading comprehensive university in the UK with a balanced academic offering, along with an active student experience on a campus in the city centre.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Manchester is moderately selective and overall has a 76% acceptance rate, while Engineering, Medicine and Business are among the most competitive programs. The University of Leeds has a similar 64–77% acceptance rate, with Business, Law and Engineering having the most competition in the application process. Relative to Leeds, Manchester generally receives a higher volume of international applications leading to their entry standards being slightly more competitive in popular disciplines.
Research Impact & Facilities
Both universities are part of the Russell Group. Manchester is internationally renowned for its pioneering research, including Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, and has globally recognized institutes in science, engineering, and social sciences. Leeds is also research-strong, with particular strengths in climate change, business, social sciences, and engineering, supported by large interdisciplinary research centres. Manchester dominates in global research visibility, while Leeds is highly impactful in applied and policy-driven research.
Cost & Financial Aid
For international students, tuition at Manchester averages £23,000–30,000 annually, depending on the program. Leeds is slightly less expensive, with tuition averaging £22,000–27,000. Living costs are comparable in both cities, with Leeds often marginally cheaper. Both universities offer a variety of merit-based scholarships, with Manchester having more competitive, globally focused awards.
Career Destinations & Graduates' Success
Manchester graduates are highly employable worldwide, especially in business, finance, technology, and research, benefiting from the university’s global prestige and influential alumni network. Leeds graduates succeed in business, law, social sciences, media, and research, with strong employability in the UK and Europe. Manchester provides stronger global brand recognition, while Leeds offers excellent career outcomes with slightly more focus on UK and European markets.
