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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
Anglia Ruskin University

Cambridge · QS World #1001

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/10

Anglia Ruskin

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary). Anglia Ruskin University is ahead on established, international, courses, scholarship.

Anglia Ruskin University vs Cardiff University at a glance

Anglia Ruskin University and Cardiff University both teach 61 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Law and Computer Science. Anglia Ruskin University offers 512 courses across 83 subject areas; Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at Anglia Ruskin University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Anglia Ruskin University is about £13,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at Anglia Ruskin University and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Anglia Ruskin University is about £7,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 26 and Anglia Ruskin University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £28,500 three years after graduating from Anglia Ruskin University, against £39,500 from Cardiff University. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 17 and Anglia Ruskin University in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#179
#601
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#34
1858
Established
1883
No
Russell Group
Yes
Silver
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Anglia Ruskin University

Cardiff University

82.5%
86.3%

Satisfaction

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

£30,700
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

20.8%
16%

International

International student share

512
362

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

12
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.

Anglia Ruskin

93 countries · 20.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India43.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan12.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria9.4%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.3%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates4%
VS

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

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

Subjects

61 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.

Anglia Ruskin University

Cardiff University

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Human Geography & Environment, Philosophy, Architecture, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Technology & Logistics, Computing & IT, English Literature, Forensic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, Economics, History, Marketing, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Language, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Children's Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Planning & Housing, Public Health & Epidemiology, English Studies, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Pharmacology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Theology & Religious Studies, Applied Psychology, Linguistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Anglia Ruskin 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

Anglia Ruskin University
£17,500
Cardiff University
£30,700

Anglia Ruskin University is about £13,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Anglia Ruskin University
£18,600
Cardiff University
£25,950

Anglia Ruskin University is about £7,350 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.

Anglia Ruskin University

Cardiff University

  • Law

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    82%Satisfaction81%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction70%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Software Engineering

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    76%Satisfaction87%

  • Management

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    75%Satisfaction79%

  • Civil Engineering

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction80%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    69%Satisfaction73%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    85%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Accounting

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    74%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Anglia Ruskin University

Vice Chancellor's PhD Scholarships

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

GREAT Scholarships 2026

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Scholarship

£7,000

Deadline: N/A

Training Grant for Healthcare Students

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Anglia Ruskin University vs Cardiff University: common questions

Is Anglia Ruskin University or Cardiff University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,500 a year at Anglia Ruskin University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Anglia Ruskin University is about £13,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,600 a year at Anglia Ruskin University and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Anglia Ruskin University is about £7,350 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 Anglia Ruskin University and Cardiff University?

Both universities teach 61 subject areas: Business Studies, Law, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Software Engineering, Management, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Politics & International Relations and 49 more.

Is Anglia Ruskin University or Cardiff University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £22,000 three years after graduating from Anglia Ruskin University, and £24,500 from Cardiff University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Anglia Ruskin University and 81% at Cardiff University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Anglia Ruskin University or Cardiff University offer more courses?

Anglia Ruskin University lists 512 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

What can you study at Anglia Ruskin University but not at Cardiff University?

Anglia Ruskin University teaches 22 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Agriculture & Land Management, Animal Science, Drama & Theatre, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Fine Art, Veterinary Sciences & Nursing and 14 more.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Anglia Ruskin University?

Cardiff University teaches 25 subject areas that Anglia Ruskin University does not, including Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 17 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

A
Anglia Ruskin University512 courses · 12 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses