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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
Bath Spa University

Bath · Guardian UK #104

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/9

Bath Spa

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Bath Spa University is ahead on employment, scholarship.

Bath Spa University vs Cardiff University at a glance

Bath Spa University and Cardiff University both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Design & Fashion and Sociology & Criminology. Bath Spa University offers 249 courses across 45 subject areas; Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Bath Spa University is about £12,370 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Bath Spa University is about £7,190 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 15 and Bath Spa University in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £21,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, against £32,000 from Cardiff University. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 10 and Bath Spa University in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#179
—
THE World
#201
#104
Guardian UK
#34
1898
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.

Bath Spa University

Cardiff University

86.2%
86.3%

Satisfaction

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

£27,000
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

85%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

2.7%
16%

International

International student share

249
362

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

20
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.

Bath Spa

40 countries · 2.7% international

  • 🇷🇴Romania25.3%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇨🇳China9.5%
  • 🌐Bulgaria5.7%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.8%
VS

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

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

Subjects

33 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.

Bath Spa University

Cardiff University

Also taught at both: History, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General), Accounting, Marketing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Software Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Economics, Philosophy, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Forensic Science, Human Resource Management, Applied Computing, Environmental Sciences, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Geography (General).

Only at Bath Spa 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

Bath Spa University
£18,330
Cardiff University
£30,700

Bath Spa University is about £12,370 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bath Spa University
£18,760
Cardiff University
£25,950

Bath Spa University is about £7,190 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.

Bath Spa University

Cardiff University

  • Computer Science

    No dataSalary (3 years)£33,500
    93%Satisfaction70%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,500
    90%Satisfaction81%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • English Literature

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction92%

  • Education Studies

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Journalism

    £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction83%

  • Music

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Architecture

    No dataSalary (3 years)£29,000
    97%Satisfaction89%

  • History

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    99%Satisfaction92%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    85%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bath Spa University

Explore It! Launch It! Grow It!

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Recruitment Office Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

MyWorld Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Horizons Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

£2,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Bath Spa University vs Cardiff University: common questions

Is Bath Spa University or Cardiff University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,330 a year at Bath Spa University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Bath Spa University is about £12,370 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,760 a year at Bath Spa University and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Bath Spa University is about £7,190 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 Bath Spa University and Cardiff University?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Media & Film Studies, Creative Writing, Business Studies, Politics & International Relations, English Literature, Business & Management (General), Education Studies, Journalism and 21 more.

Is Bath Spa University or Cardiff University better for Sociology & Criminology?

Sociology & Criminology graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Bath Spa University, and £23,500 from Cardiff University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Bath Spa University and 87% at Cardiff University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bath Spa University or Cardiff University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Bath Spa University lists 249 courses.

What can you study at Bath Spa University but not at Cardiff University?

Bath Spa University teaches 12 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Drama & Theatre, Nutrition & Dietetics, Fine Art, Biology, Dance, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Teacher Training, Creative Arts (General) and 4 more.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Bath Spa University?

Cardiff University teaches 53 subject areas that Bath Spa University does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General) and 45 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Bath Spa University249 courses · 20 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses