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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
Arts University Bournemouth

Poole

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 7 datapoints

We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/7

Arts University Bournemouth

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

5/7

Cardiff

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 5 of 7 categories where both have data (Russell Group, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Arts University Bournemouth is ahead on satisfaction, scholarship.

Arts University Bournemouth vs Cardiff University at a glance

Arts University Bournemouth and Cardiff University both teach 7 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography and Media & Film Studies. Arts University Bournemouth offers 78 courses across 13 subject areas; Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,950 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Arts University Bournemouth is about £10,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,980 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Arts University Bournemouth is about £5,970 a year cheaper.

In Architecture, the one shared subject where both publish a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#179
—
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#34
1883
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.

Arts University Bournemouth

Cardiff University

86.6%
86.3%

Satisfaction

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

£26,900
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

13.5%
16%

International

International student share

78
362

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

1
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.

Arts University Bournemouth

35 countries · 13.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China17.8%
  • 🇮🇳India12.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States8.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🌐Iceland3%
VS

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

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

Subjects

7 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.

Arts University Bournemouth

Cardiff University

  • Design & Fashion

    25 courses

    Typical fee £19,950 (UG)

    1 course

    Typical fee £12,950 (PG)

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    14 courses

    Typical fee £19,950 (UG)

    1 course

    Typical fee £24,950 (PG)

  • Media & Film Studies

    7 courses

    Typical fee £19,950 (UG)

    2 courses

    Typical fee £24,700 (UG)

  • Architecture

    2 courses

    Typical fee £19,950 (UG)

    6 courses

    Typical fee £30,700 (UG)

  • Business & Management (General)

    2 courses

    Typical fee £19,950 (UG)

    5 courses

    Typical fee £31,700 (PG)

  • Creative Writing

    5 courses

    Typical fee £19,950 (UG)

    1 course

    Typical fee £24,700 (PG)

  • Building & Construction

    1 course

    Fee not available

    1 course

    Typical fee £11,450 (PG)

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

Arts University Bournemouth
£19,950
Cardiff University
£30,700

Arts University Bournemouth is about £10,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Arts University Bournemouth
£19,980
Cardiff University
£25,950

Arts University Bournemouth is about £5,970 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.

Arts University Bournemouth

Cardiff University

  • Architecture

    No dataSalary (3 years)£29,000
    72%Satisfaction89%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Arts University Bournemouth

British National Residing Overseas

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Arts University Bournemouth vs Cardiff University: common questions

Is Arts University Bournemouth or Cardiff University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,950 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Arts University Bournemouth is about £10,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,980 a year at Arts University Bournemouth and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Arts University Bournemouth is about £5,970 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 Arts University Bournemouth and Cardiff University?

Both universities teach 7 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Architecture, Business & Management (General), Creative Writing and Building & Construction.

Does Arts University Bournemouth or Cardiff University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Arts University Bournemouth lists 78 courses.

What can you study at Arts University Bournemouth but not at Cardiff University?

Arts University Bournemouth teaches 6 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Drama & Theatre, Fine Art, Creative Arts (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Performing Arts (General) and Personal & Professional Development.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Arts University Bournemouth?

Cardiff University teaches 79 subject areas that Arts University Bournemouth does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Law, Chemistry, Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment and 71 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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