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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 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.

3/10

Aston

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, courses). Aston University, Birmingham is ahead on employment, international, graduate salary.

Aston University, Birmingham vs Cardiff University at a glance

Aston University, Birmingham and Cardiff University both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Business Studies, Civil Engineering and Mathematics. Aston University, Birmingham offers 169 courses across 51 subject areas; Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Aston University, Birmingham is about £8,120 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Aston University, Birmingham is about £1,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 10 and Aston University, Birmingham in 8, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Adult Nursing: £36,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, against £29,000 from Cardiff University. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Aston University, Birmingham is higher in 13 and Cardiff University in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#416
QS World
#179
#401
THE World
#201
#39
Guardian UK
#34
1895
Established
1883
No
Russell Group
Yes
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 University

85.2%
86.3%

Satisfaction

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

£37,600
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

84.5%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

22.1%
16%

International

International student share

169
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.

Aston

67 countries · 22.1% international

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

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

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

Subjects

43 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 University

Also taught at both: Biomedical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Social Sciences (General), Accounting, Software Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, History, Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, English Language, Human Resource Management, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Technology & Logistics, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Pharmacy, Design & Fashion, English Studies, Linguistics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Medicine, Public Health & Epidemiology, Statistics, Adult Nursing, Biotechnology, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Aston University, Birmingham

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

Aston University, Birmingham
£22,580
Cardiff University
£30,700

Aston University, Birmingham is about £8,120 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Aston University, Birmingham
£24,000
Cardiff University
£25,950

Aston University, Birmingham is about £1,950 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 University

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Mathematics

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    85%Satisfaction70%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    80%Satisfaction73%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    64%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • General Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    75%Satisfaction83%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    95%Satisfaction80%

  • Psychology (General)

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    92%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Aston University, Birmingham

View all scholarships →

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Aston University, Birmingham vs Cardiff University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £22,580 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Aston University, Birmingham is about £8,120 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,000 a year at Aston University, Birmingham and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Aston University, Birmingham is about £1,950 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 University?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Business Studies, Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Law, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Biological Sciences (General) and 31 more.

Is Aston University, Birmingham or Cardiff University better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Aston University, Birmingham, and £31,000 from Cardiff University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Aston University, Birmingham and 80% at Cardiff University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Aston University, Birmingham lists 169 courses.

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

Aston University, Birmingham teaches 8 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Information Systems & Data Science, Aerospace Engineering, Biochemistry, Clinical & Health Psychology, Personal & Professional Development, Business Information Systems and Healthcare Science.

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

Cardiff University teaches 43 subject areas that Aston University, Birmingham does not, including Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages and 35 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 University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses