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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
Aston University, Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #416

C
Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff · THE World #1001

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.

5/8

Aston

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

3/8

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Aston University, Birmingham leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on established, courses, scholarship.

Aston University, Birmingham vs Cardiff Metropolitan University at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and Cardiff Metropolitan University both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Marketing, Business Studies and Business & Management (General). Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,000 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,600 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 16 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £35,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £25,500 from Cardiff Metropolitan University. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 11 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 6.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
—
#401
THE World
#1001
#39
Guardian UK
—
1895
Established
1865
No
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Aston University, Birmingham

Cardiff Metropolitan University

85.2%
84.5%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£28,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
83.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
16.6%

International

International student share

169
321

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
5

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.

Aston

67 countries · 22.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India40.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.2%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam4%
VS

Cardiff Metropolitan

43 countries · 16.6% international

  • 🇮🇳India53.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh4.9%
  • 🌐Nepal4.4%

Subjects

29 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Media & Film Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Human Resource Management, Public Health & Epidemiology, Aerospace Engineering, Business Information Systems, Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Healthcare Science, Personal & Professional Development, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan 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

Aston University, Birmingham
£22,580
Cardiff Metropolitan University
£16,000

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,580 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,400 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.

Aston University, Birmingham

Cardiff Metropolitan University

  • Marketing

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    79%Satisfaction80%

  • Business Studies

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction80%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    64%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Accounting

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    85%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    85%Satisfaction95%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    92%Satisfaction77%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction80%

  • Software Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction63%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

NHS Wales Bursary Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

Progression Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

Student Carers Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs Cardiff Metropolitan University: common questions

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Cardiff Metropolitan University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £16,000 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,580 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £17,600 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,400 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 Aston University, Birmingham and Cardiff Metropolitan University?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Marketing, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Economics, Accounting, Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology and 17 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Cardiff Metropolitan University better for Marketing?

Marketing graduates earn a median £28,500 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £23,000 from Cardiff Metropolitan University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at Aston University, Birmingham and 80% at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Aston University, Birmingham or Cardiff Metropolitan University offer more courses?

Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

What can you study at Aston University, Birmingham but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 22 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, General Engineering, Civil Engineering, English Language, History and 14 more.

What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at Aston University, Birmingham?

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 23 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Work, Education Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Nutrition & Dietetics and 15 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

A
Aston University, Birmingham169 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
C
Cardiff Metropolitan University321 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses