I know this is an old thread, but might help people looking at it in future - Manchester's music course has higher performance requirements than Cambridge -grade 8 preferably distinction in main instrument plus at least grade 6 in piano. Cambridge asks for "some facility at the keyboard". I think the reputations are that Cambridge is a strictly academic music course (although their website does now clearly stress the practical aspects) whereas Manchester is much more flexible, but Manchester also came above Cambridge for music research in the 2008RAE (50% v 45% top rated). Unfortunately I think this thread is another one which continues the myth that Oxbridge must always be best in every subject.