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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.

B
Bangor University

Bangor · QS World #567

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/11

Bangor

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary, courses). Bangor University is ahead on satisfaction, international, scholarship.

Bangor University vs Cardiff University at a glance

Bangor University and Cardiff University both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Law, Welsh Studies and Computer Science. Bangor University offers 329 courses across 52 subject areas; Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at Bangor University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Bangor University is about £12,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,000 a year at Bangor University and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Bangor University is about £6,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 25 and Bangor University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £20,000 three years after graduating from Bangor University, against £32,000 from Cardiff University. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Bangor University is higher in 18 and Cardiff University in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#567
QS World
#179
#501
THE World
#201
#46
Guardian UK
#34
1884
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.

Bangor University

Cardiff University

87%
86.3%

Satisfaction

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

£27,400
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

78.3%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

21.5%
16%

International

International student share

329
362

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

7
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.

Bangor

60 countries · 21.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India18.7%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.1%
  • 🇨🇳China12.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.3%
  • 🌐Nepal6.3%
VS

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

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

Subjects

39 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.

Bangor University

Cardiff University

Also taught at both: History, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics, Media & Film Studies, Dentistry, English Language, Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, Philosophy, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, Design & Fashion, Linguistics, Marketing, Medical Imaging, Pharmacology, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Geography (General), Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery.

Only at Bangor 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

Bangor University
£18,000
Cardiff University
£30,700

Bangor University is about £12,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bangor University
£19,000
Cardiff University
£25,950

Bangor University is about £6,950 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.

Bangor University

Cardiff University

  • Law

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    86%Satisfaction81%

  • Welsh Studies

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    100%Satisfaction98%

  • Computer Science

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    80%Satisfaction70%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    81%Satisfaction95%

  • Ancient Languages

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    97%Satisfaction92%

  • Music

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    82%Satisfaction93%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    95%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    90%Satisfaction88%

  • English Literature

    £17,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bangor University

Canadian Centennial Scholarship Fund (CCSF)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Chevening Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Master's Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Pantyfedwen Student Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Refugee Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Bangor University vs Cardiff University: common questions

Is Bangor University or Cardiff University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,000 a year at Bangor University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Bangor University is about £12,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,000 a year at Bangor University and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Bangor University is about £6,950 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 Bangor University and Cardiff University?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Law, Welsh Studies, Computer Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Ancient Languages, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Human Geography & Environment, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, English Literature, Sociology & Criminology and 27 more.

Is Bangor University or Cardiff University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £20,000 three years after graduating from Bangor University, and £24,500 from Cardiff University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Bangor University and 81% at Cardiff University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bangor University or Cardiff University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Bangor University lists 329 courses.

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

Bangor University teaches 13 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Teacher Training, Zoology & Animal Biology, Ecology & Conservation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biology, Drama & Theatre, Information Systems & Data Science, Social Policy & Public Policy and 5 more.

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

Cardiff University teaches 47 subject areas that Bangor University does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Management, Journalism, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Physics and 39 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Bangor University329 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses