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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 University

Cardiff · QS World #179

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 4 datapoints

We looked at 4 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/4

Birmingham City

scored higher in 1 category

VS

3/4

Cardiff

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 3 of 4 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, courses). Birmingham City University is ahead on scholarship.

Birmingham City University vs Cardiff University at a glance

Birmingham City University and Cardiff University both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science and Civil Engineering. Birmingham City University offers 284 courses across 68 subject areas; Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Birmingham City University is about £12,130 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 22 and Birmingham City University in 1. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £23,000 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, against £33,500 from Cardiff University. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 13 and Birmingham City University in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#1001
QS World
#179
—
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#34
N/A
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.

Birmingham City University

Cardiff University

No data
86.3%

Satisfaction

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

No data
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

No data
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

No data
16%

International

International student share

284
362

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

10
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.

Birmingham City

No published data on international students

    VS

    Cardiff

    89 countries · 16% international

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

    Subjects

    52 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 University

    Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Mechanical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Building & Construction, Software Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Music, Psychology (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, Clinical Specialities, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health & Social Care, Biomedical Sciences, English Literature, Economics, Social Work, Technology & Logistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Education Studies, English Studies, Human Resource Management, Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, English Language, Medical Imaging, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Public Relations.

    Only at Birmingham City 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

    Birmingham City University
    £18,570
    Cardiff University
    £30,700

    Birmingham City University is about £12,130 a year cheaper.

    Postgraduate

    Birmingham City University
    No data
    Cardiff University
    £25,950

    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 University

    • Computer Science

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
      78%Satisfaction70%

    • Civil Engineering

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
      92%Satisfaction80%

    • Law

      £20,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
      80%Satisfaction81%

    • Journalism

      £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
      91%Satisfaction83%

    • Sociology & Criminology

      £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
      89%Satisfaction87%

    • Accounting

      £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
      74%Satisfaction88%

    • Architecture

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
      95%Satisfaction89%

    • Finance & Actuarial Science

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
      80%Satisfaction81%

    • Mechanical Engineering

      £25,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
      86%Satisfaction73%

    • Software Engineering

      £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
      86%Satisfaction87%

    • Media & Film Studies

      £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
      87%SatisfactionNo data

    • Music

      £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
      95%Satisfaction93%

    Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 University

    View all scholarships →

    FAQ

    Birmingham City University vs Cardiff University: common questions

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

    For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £18,570 a year at Birmingham City University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Birmingham City University is about £12,130 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 University?

    Both universities teach 52 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Law, Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Journalism, Nursing (General), Management, Sociology & Criminology, Marketing, Accounting and 40 more.

    Is Birmingham City University or Cardiff University better for Computer Science?

    Computer Science graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Birmingham City University, and £33,500 from Cardiff University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 78% at Birmingham City University and 70% at Cardiff University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

    Does Birmingham City University or Cardiff University offer more courses?

    Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Birmingham City University lists 284 courses.

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

    Birmingham City University teaches 16 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art, Community & Specialist Nursing, Crafts & Applied Arts, Information Systems & Data Science, Teacher Training, Applied Biology & Human Biology and 8 more.

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

    Cardiff University teaches 34 subject areas that Birmingham City University does not, including Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General) and 26 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 University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses