Brandwave

University of Edinburgh vs University of Manchester:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, University of Edinburgh had more branded searches than University of Manchester among globally sought UK universities worldwide. University of Edinburgh had about 368,000 branded searches, while University of Manchester had 246,000. University of Edinburgh made up 16.5% of all globally sought UK university searches we track, and University of Manchester accounted for 11%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about globally sought UK universities, University of Edinburgh appeared in all five answers and University of Manchester in two. University of Edinburgh was mentioned before University of Manchester in four out of five answers.

Among globally sought UK universities worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

University of Edinburgh, about 50% more searches than University of Manchester

University of Edinburgh 368K searchesUniversity of Manchester 246K searches

Who does AI mention more?

University of Edinburgh, mentioned in every answer we collected

University of Edinburgh in 5 of 5University of Manchester in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

University of Edinburgh, named ahead of University of Manchester in 4 of 5 answers

University of Edinburgh first in 4University of Manchester first in 1

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Top globally sought UK universities in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, University of Edinburgh appeared in all five answers. University of Manchester was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. University of Edinburgh was listed before University of Manchester in four out of five answers.

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

+2 more

See every answer about globally sought UK universities

5 answers

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.

Is University of Edinburgh or University of Manchester more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for University of Edinburgh and University of Manchester by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all 12 globally sought UK universities we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.

University of Edinburgh and University of Manchester among globally sought UK universities worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for University of Edinburgh, University of Manchester. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthUniversity of EdinburghUniversity of WarwickLondon School of EconomicsUniversity of ManchesterDurham UniversityUniversity of St AndrewsUniversity of OxfordUniversity of BristolUniversity of CambridgeUCLImperial College LondonKing's College London
Oct 202513.9%17%11.4%11.4%9.3%7.6%10%6.2%7.6%4.7%0.59%0.46%
Nov 202516.1%16.1%10.8%10.8%7.2%7.2%11.4%5.9%8.8%4.4%0.59%0.65%
Dec 202515.8%12.9%10.6%10.6%8.6%8.6%11.2%7%8.6%4.7%0.79%0.52%
Jan 202613.3%16.3%10.9%10.9%8.9%7.3%11.5%5.9%8.9%4.9%0.69%0.65%
Feb 202614.8%14.8%12.1%12.1%8.1%6.6%10.5%6.6%8.1%5%0.66%0.49%
Mar 202614.1%14.1%11.5%11.5%7.7%7.7%12.2%6.3%7.7%5.8%0.77%0.57%
Apr 202614.7%12%12%12%8%8%12.6%5.4%8%6%0.66%0.59%
May 202617.3%14.1%11.5%9.5%7.8%7.8%12.1%5.2%7.8%5.8%0.63%0.57%
Jun 202614.3%14.3%11.7%11.7%7.8%7.8%12.2%6.4%7.8%4.8%0.74%0.47%
Jul 202615.1%12.3%12.3%12.3%6.7%8.3%12.8%5.6%8.3%5.1%0.67%0.5%
Aug 202615.4%15.4%10.3%10.3%8.5%8.5%10.9%5.6%8.5%5.2%0.69%0.62%
Sep 202616.5%16.5%11%11%9%9%7.9%6.1%6.1%5.5%0.74%0.54%

How has the University of Edinburgh and University of Manchester comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for globally sought UK universities worldwide in September 2026?

2 changes

  1. In September 2026, University of Manchester overtook University of Oxford to rank 4th among globally sought UK universities worldwide, with 11% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, University of Edinburgh gained share of searches among globally sought UK universities worldwide, from 15.4% to 16.5%.

How are branded searches counted?

3 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using University of Edinburgh’s and University of Manchester’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

University of Edinburgh

1 branded search term

  • universityofedinburgh

University of Manchester

2 branded search terms

  • manchester university
  • university of manchester

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among globally sought UK universities

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