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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
Bristol, UWE

Bristol · QS World #761

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

3/11

Bristol

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

8/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). Bristol, UWE is ahead on employment, international, scholarship.

Bristol, UWE vs Cardiff University at a glance

Bristol, UWE and Cardiff University both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering and Law. Bristol, UWE offers 257 courses across 72 subject areas; Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,750 a year at Bristol, UWE and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Bristol, UWE is about £14,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,250 a year at Bristol, UWE and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Bristol, UWE is about £9,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 28 and Bristol, UWE in 5. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £26,500 three years after graduating from Bristol, UWE, against £39,500 from Cardiff University. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Bristol, UWE is higher in 17 and Cardiff University in 13, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#761
QS World
#179
#601
THE World
#201
#66
Guardian UK
#34
1969
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.

Bristol, UWE

Cardiff University

86%
86.3%

Satisfaction

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

£31,400
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

86.1%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

24.8%
16%

International

International student share

257
362

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

24
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.

Bristol

107 countries · 24.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India14%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria9.3%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh4.5%
  • 🇨🇳China4.5%
VS

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

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

Subjects

55 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.

Bristol, UWE

Cardiff University

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Business Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Psychology (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Economics, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Education Studies, English Literature, Philosophy, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Forensic Science, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Planning & Housing, History, Medical Imaging, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Technology & Logistics, English Language, Human Resource Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Bristol, UWE

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

Bristol, UWE
£15,750
Cardiff University
£30,700

Bristol, UWE is about £14,950 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Bristol, UWE
£16,250
Cardiff University
£25,950

Bristol, UWE is about £9,700 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.

Bristol, UWE

Cardiff University

  • Civil Engineering

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    75%Satisfaction80%

  • Law

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction81%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction70%

  • Mathematics

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    90%Satisfaction84%

  • Architecture

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    96%Satisfaction89%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    97%Satisfaction82%

  • Accounting

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    78%Satisfaction73%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    97%Satisfaction94%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    71%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Bristol, UWE

College of Health, Science and Society Dean's Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

UWE Bristol Global Success Scholarship

£9,000

Deadline: N/A

Avon and Somerset Police Widening Participation Bursary

£5,760

Deadline: N/A

Certificate in Counselling Skills Scholarship

50%

Deadline: N/A

College of Health, Science and Society MSc Scholarship

50%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Bristol, UWE vs Cardiff University: common questions

Is Bristol, UWE or Cardiff University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £15,750 a year at Bristol, UWE and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Bristol, UWE is about £14,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,250 a year at Bristol, UWE and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Bristol, UWE is about £9,700 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 Bristol, UWE and Cardiff University?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Mathematics, Management, Architecture, Human Geography & Environment, Accounting, Journalism and 43 more.

Is Bristol, UWE or Cardiff University better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Bristol, UWE, and £31,000 from Cardiff University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 75% at Bristol, UWE and 80% at Cardiff University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Bristol, UWE or Cardiff University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Bristol, UWE lists 257 courses.

What can you study at Bristol, UWE but not at Cardiff University?

Bristol, UWE teaches 17 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Ecology & Conservation, Aerospace Engineering, Fine Art, Business Information Systems, Games Design & Computer Animation, Healthcare Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Information Systems & Data Science and 9 more.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Bristol, UWE?

Cardiff University teaches 31 subject areas that Bristol, UWE does not, including Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Physics, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering and 23 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Bristol, UWE257 courses · 24 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses