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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
Bournemouth University

Poole · QS World #801

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/10

Bournemouth

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). Bournemouth University is ahead on employment, international.

Bournemouth University vs Cardiff University at a glance

Bournemouth University and Cardiff University both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Management. Bournemouth University offers 225 courses across 59 subject areas; Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Bournemouth University is about £10,010 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Bournemouth University is about £6,260 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 15 and Bournemouth University in 6, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £25,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, against £32,000 from Cardiff University. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 16 and Bournemouth University in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#801
QS World
#179
#401
THE World
#201
#59
Guardian UK
#34
1992
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.

Bournemouth University

Cardiff University

80.8%
86.3%

Satisfaction

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

£33,600
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.4%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.4%
16%

International

International student share

225
362

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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.

Bournemouth

73 countries · 16.4% international

  • 🇮🇳India27.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.8%
  • 🇨🇳China10.5%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia6.5%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey5.6%
VS

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

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

Subjects

47 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.

Bournemouth University

Cardiff University

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Psychology (General), Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Forensic Science, Music, Social Work, Biomedical Sciences, Computing & IT, Design & Fashion, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Adult Nursing, Archaeology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, History, Mental Health Nursing, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Health & Social Care, Medical Imaging, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Geography (General).

Only at Bournemouth 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

Bournemouth University
£20,690
Cardiff University
£30,700

Bournemouth University is about £10,010 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bournemouth University
£19,690
Cardiff University
£25,950

Bournemouth University is about £6,260 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.

Bournemouth University

Cardiff University

  • Computer Science

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    73%Satisfaction70%

  • Law

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    85%Satisfaction81%

  • Journalism

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    80%Satisfaction73%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    76%SatisfactionNo data

  • Accounting

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • General Engineering

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    73%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    77%Satisfaction86%

  • Software Engineering

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    78%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    78%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bournemouth University

View all scholarships →

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Bournemouth University vs Cardiff University: common questions

Is Bournemouth University or Cardiff University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £20,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Bournemouth University is about £10,010 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £19,690 a year at Bournemouth University and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Bournemouth University is about £6,260 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 Bournemouth University and Cardiff University?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Management, Business & Management (General), Journalism, Marketing, Mechanical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Biological Sciences (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Human Geography & Environment, Politics & International Relations and 35 more.

Is Bournemouth University or Cardiff University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £30,500 three years after graduating from Bournemouth University, and £33,500 from Cardiff University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 73% at Bournemouth University and 70% at Cardiff University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bournemouth University or Cardiff University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Bournemouth University lists 225 courses.

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

Bournemouth University teaches 12 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Business Information Systems, Ecology & Conservation, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Anthropology and 4 more.

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

Cardiff University teaches 39 subject areas that Bournemouth University does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages and 31 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Bournemouth University225 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses