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Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

A
Abertay University

Dundee · Guardian UK #55

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/8

Abertay

scored higher in 1 category

VS

7/8

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Abertay University is ahead on satisfaction.

Abertay University vs Cardiff University at a glance

Abertay University and Cardiff University both teach 25 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Law and Computer Science. Abertay University offers 82 courses across 31 subject areas; Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Abertay University is about £13,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Abertay University is about £7,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 10 and Abertay University in 1. The widest gap is in Accounting: £20,500 three years after graduating from Abertay University, against £28,000 from Cardiff University. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Abertay University is higher in 5 and Cardiff University in 2, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

—
QS World
#179
—
THE World
#201
#55
Guardian UK
#34
1888
Established
1883
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Abertay University

Cardiff University

88%
86.3%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£29,600
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

80.5%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

9.3%
16%

International

International student share

82
362

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
0

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

Abertay

29 countries · 9.3% international

  • 🇫🇷France28%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States8.6%
  • 🇨🇳China3.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.2%
VS

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

  • 🇨🇳China22.8%
  • 🇮🇳India14.5%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%

Subjects

25 subjects you can study at both

Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

Abertay University

Cardiff University

Also taught at both: Applied Psychology, Forensic Science, Human Resource Management, Statistics, Applied Computing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Abertay University

Only at Cardiff University

Fees

What it costs international students

The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

Undergraduate

Abertay University
£16,950
Cardiff University
£30,700

Abertay University is about £13,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Abertay University
£18,950
Cardiff University
£25,950

Abertay University is about £7,000 a year cheaper.

Outcomes

Graduate outcomes by subject

Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

Abertay University

Cardiff University

  • Civil Engineering

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction80%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction81%

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    No dataSatisfaction70%

  • Management

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    No dataSatisfaction79%

  • Accounting

    £20,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    73%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Software Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Applied Psychology

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    90%SatisfactionNo data

  • Forensic Science

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    100%Satisfaction92%

  • Mental Health Nursing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    98%Satisfaction97%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Abertay University

View all scholarships →

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Abertay University vs Cardiff University: common questions

Is Abertay University or Cardiff University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,950 a year at Abertay University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Abertay University is about £13,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,950 a year at Abertay University and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Abertay University is about £7,000 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

What subjects can you study at both Abertay University and Cardiff University?

Both universities teach 25 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Law, Computer Science, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Accounting, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science and 13 more.

Is Abertay University or Cardiff University better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Abertay University, and £31,000 from Cardiff University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Abertay University and 80% at Cardiff University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Abertay University or Cardiff University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Abertay University lists 82 courses.

What can you study at Abertay University but not at Cardiff University?

Abertay University teaches 6 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Food Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Clinical & Health Psychology and Hospitality, Events & Tourism.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Abertay University?

Cardiff University teaches 61 subject areas that Abertay University does not, including Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Physics and 53 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

A
Abertay University82 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses