Comparison
University College London vs University of Manchester
MSc Data Science · London vs MSc Advanced Computer Science · Manchester
Last reviewed: July 2026
Short answer: University of Manchester (MSc Advanced Computer Science) is the cheaper program overall, University College London (MSc Data Science) reports the higher starting salary, and University College London (MSc Data Science) pays back fastest against the standard ₹8L India baseline. University College London (MSc Data Science)currently has the stronger post-study work / visa pathway. No single program wins on everything - which one is actually "better" depends on your budget, priority (salary vs. migration vs. affordability), and your own admit odds.
| University College London | University of Manchester | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | UK | UK |
| City | London | Manchester |
| Duration | 12 months | 12 months |
| Total cost | ₹78.4L | ₹65.3L |
| Avg. starting salary | ₹48.3L/yr | ₹40.7L/yr |
| Payback period | 1.9 yrs | 2 yrs |
| Visa pathway | Moderate | Moderate |
| Min. GPA (4.0 scale) | 3.0 | 2.6 |
| Test requirement | IELTS 6.5 | IELTS 7.0 |
| Consultant-oversold flag | No | Yes - our editorial flag |
University College London: the honest note
1-year program lowers opportunity cost. UK Graduate Route currently gives 2 years post-study work, but is shortening to 18 months for visas granted from Jan 2027 - timing matters.
University of Manchester: the honest note
Graduate Route helps, but UK tech salaries trail the US by a wide margin, and the post-study visa window is shrinking from 2027.
How payback is calculated
Payback = total program cost ÷ (starting salary abroad − ₹8,00,000 India baseline). The baseline rises for IIT/NIT-class graduates, which lengthens payback for those students on both programs above. Full formula and worked example in the payback period guide.
Sources
University College London: Tuition & entry requirements: ucl.ac.uk · Salary band: Glassdoor / Indeed / PayScale / ZipRecruiter (Jul 2026) · Visa: UK Graduate Route, gov.uk (2026 rules)
University of Manchester: Tuition & India-specific entry requirements: manchester.ac.uk, cs.manchester.ac.uk · Salary band: Glassdoor / Indeed / PayScale / ZipRecruiter (Jul 2026) · Visa: UK Graduate Route, gov.uk (2026 rules)
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