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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
Birkbeck, University of London

London · QS World #354

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.

6/8

Birkbeck

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

2/8

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Birkbeck, University of London leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on employment, international.

Birkbeck, University of London vs Cardiff Metropolitan University at a glance

Birkbeck, University of London and Cardiff Metropolitan University both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Business & Management (General) and Hospitality, Events & Tourism. Birkbeck, University of London offers 361 courses across 69 subject areas; Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £16,000 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,600 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £3,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 12 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £38,000 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, against £26,500 from Cardiff Metropolitan University. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birkbeck, University of London is higher in 9 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#354
QS World
—
#301
THE World
#1001
—
Guardian UK
—
1823
Established
1865
No
Russell Group
No
Bronze
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birkbeck, University of London

Cardiff Metropolitan University

85.1%
84.5%

Satisfaction

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

£32,500
£28,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.6%
83.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

12%
16.6%

International

International student share

361
321

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

16
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.

Birkbeck

60 countries · 12% international

  • 🇺🇸United States10.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.7%
  • 🇮🇳India8.6%
  • 🇪🇸Spain4.8%
  • 🇮🇹Italy4.3%
VS

Cardiff Metropolitan

43 countries · 16.6% international

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

Subjects

32 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Also taught at both: Creative Writing, Finance & Actuarial Science, English Literature, Journalism, Applied Psychology, Healthcare Science, Software Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Business Information Systems, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science, Personal & Professional Development, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Birkbeck, University of London

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

Birkbeck, University of London
£18,500
Cardiff Metropolitan University
£16,000

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £2,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Birkbeck, University of London
£20,850
Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £3,250 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.

Birkbeck, University of London

Cardiff Metropolitan University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    76%Satisfaction80%

  • Law

    £22,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Marketing

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    75%Satisfaction80%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    96%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    72%Satisfaction83%

  • Accounting

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    75%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction77%

  • Business Studies

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    98%Satisfaction80%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    78%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Birkbeck, University of London

Bonnart Trust Sanctuary Scholarship

£18,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Cyril Taylor Scholarships

£15,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Breakspear scholarship

£12,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

MA History of Art scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Legal & General Sustainable Leaders Bursary

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

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

Birkbeck, University of London vs Cardiff Metropolitan University: common questions

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Cardiff Metropolitan University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,500 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £16,000 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,850 a year at Birkbeck, University of London and £17,600 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £3,250 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 Birkbeck, University of London and Cardiff Metropolitan University?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Teacher Training, Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Accounting, Economics, Design & Fashion and 20 more.

Is Birkbeck, University of London or Cardiff Metropolitan University better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Birkbeck, University of London, and £23,000 from Cardiff Metropolitan University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 76% at Birkbeck, University of London and 80% at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Birkbeck, University of London or Cardiff Metropolitan University offer more courses?

Birkbeck, University of London lists 361 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

What can you study at Birkbeck, University of London but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?

Birkbeck, University of London teaches 37 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including History, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, History of Art & Design, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Biochemistry, Mathematics, Philosophy and 29 more.

What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at Birkbeck, University of London?

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 20 subject areas that Birkbeck, University of London does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Social Work, Education Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 12 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Birkbeck, University of London361 courses · 16 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
C
Cardiff Metropolitan University321 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses