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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
Birmingham City University

Birmingham · QS World #1001

C
Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff · THE World #1001

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 2 datapoints

We looked at 2 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/2

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

1/2

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Birmingham City University and Cardiff Metropolitan University are evenly matched: each leads in 1 of 2 categories where both have data. Birmingham City University is ahead on scholarship; Cardiff Metropolitan University on courses.

Birmingham City University vs Cardiff Metropolitan University at a glance

Birmingham City University and Cardiff Metropolitan University both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Childhood & Youth Studies and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £16,000 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £2,570 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 11 and Birmingham City University in 10, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Teacher Training: £26,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £21,000 from Cardiff Metropolitan University. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Birmingham City University is higher in 17 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
—
—
THE World
#1001
—
Guardian UK
—
N/A
Established
1865
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Birmingham City University

Cardiff Metropolitan University

No data
84.5%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£28,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
83.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
16.6%

International

International student share

284
321

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    VS

    Cardiff Metropolitan

    43 countries · 16.6% international

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

    Subjects

    40 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.

    Birmingham City University

    Cardiff Metropolitan University

    Also taught at both: Health & Social Care, Software Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Social Work, Education Studies, Psychology (General), Architecture, Fine Art, Economics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Journalism, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics, Applied Psychology, Business Information Systems, Crafts & Applied Arts, English Literature, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Management, Politics & International Relations, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

    Only at Birmingham City University

    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

    Birmingham City University
    £18,570
    Cardiff Metropolitan University
    £16,000

    Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £2,570 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    Cardiff Metropolitan University
    £17,600

    We do not have reliable international fee data for Birmingham City University yet.

    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.

    Birmingham City University

    Cardiff Metropolitan University

    • Teacher Training

      £26,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
      84%SatisfactionNo data

    • Childhood & Youth Studies

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
      84%Satisfaction86%

    • Sport & Exercise Sciences

      No dataSalary (3 years)£22,500
      90%Satisfaction87%

    • Design & Fashion

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
      92%Satisfaction86%

    • Marketing

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
      92%Satisfaction80%

    • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
      91%Satisfaction84%

    • Business & Management (General)

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
      83%Satisfaction80%

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
      78%Satisfaction83%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)No data
      80%Satisfaction80%

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      74%Satisfaction89%

    • Film Production & Cinematography

      £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
      86%Satisfaction98%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
      89%Satisfaction87%

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

    Scholarships for International Students

    Exclusive

    Birmingham City University

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Henderson Bursaries and Scholarships 2026

    £10,000

    Deadline: N/A

    Millennium Point Scholarship

    100%

    Deadline: N/A

    Scott Trust Bursary

    £7,415

    Deadline: N/A

    Santander Scholarship

    £2,000

    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

    Birmingham City University vs Cardiff Metropolitan University: common questions

    Is Birmingham City University or Cardiff Metropolitan University cheaper for international students?

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £16,000 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £2,570 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 Birmingham City University and Cardiff Metropolitan University?

    Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Teacher Training, Childhood & Youth Studies, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Law, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Sociology & Criminology and 28 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or Cardiff Metropolitan University better for Teacher Training?

    Teacher Training graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £21,000 from Cardiff Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or Cardiff Metropolitan University offer more courses?

    Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 28 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Nursing (General), Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Community & Specialist Nursing, Music, Technology & Logistics and 20 more.

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

    Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 12 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Biological Sciences (General), Dance, Food Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Healthcare Science and 4 more.

    Ready to explore courses?

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

    B
    Birmingham City University284 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
    C
    Cardiff Metropolitan University321 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses