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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
Brunel University of London

Uxbridge · QS World #353

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.

5/8

Brunel University of London

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

3/8

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Brunel University of London leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment.

Brunel University of London vs Cardiff Metropolitan University at a glance

Brunel University of London and Cardiff Metropolitan University both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Sport & Exercise Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Business & Management (General). Brunel University of London offers 373 courses across 62 subject areas; Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at Brunel University of London and £16,000 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,800 a year at Brunel University of London and £17,600 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £7,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Brunel University of London is higher in 18 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £37,000 three years after graduating from Brunel University of London, against £26,500 from Cardiff Metropolitan University. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 11 and Brunel University of London in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

#353
QS World
—
#401
THE World
#1001
#69
Guardian UK
—
1966
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.

Brunel University of London

Cardiff Metropolitan University

81.7%
84.5%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£28,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.3%
83.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

34.6%
16.6%

International

International student share

373
321

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
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.

Brunel University of London

81 countries · 34.6% international

  • 🇮🇳India26.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan11%
  • 🇨🇳China6.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh4.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
VS

Cardiff Metropolitan

43 countries · 16.6% international

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

Subjects

29 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.

Brunel University of London

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Psychology (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Work, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Computing & IT, Film Production & Cinematography, English Literature, Games Design & Computer Animation, Creative Writing, Journalism, Human Resource Management.

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

Brunel University of London
£17,400
Cardiff Metropolitan University
£16,000

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Brunel University of London
£24,800
Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £7,200 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.

Brunel University of London

Cardiff Metropolitan University

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    82%Satisfaction87%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    72%Satisfaction89%
  • Business & Management (General)

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction80%
  • Design & Fashion

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    88%Satisfaction86%
  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)No data
    70%Satisfaction80%
  • Business Studies

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction80%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    90%Satisfaction87%
  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    74%Satisfaction83%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    94%Satisfaction87%
  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    79%Satisfaction88%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £25,000Salary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction84%
  • Accounting

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Brunel University of London

MBA Scholarship (Full-time & Part-time) September 2026

£14,750

Deadline: Aug 2026

British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Brunel Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/27

100%

Deadline: N/A

Brunel University of London and the China Scholarship Council PhD Scholarship 2026/27

100%

Deadline: N/A

Ealing Trailfinders (ETF) & Brunel University of London Rugby Academy Scholarship 2026/27

100%

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

Brunel University of London vs Cardiff Metropolitan University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at Brunel University of London and £16,000 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,800 a year at Brunel University of London and £17,600 at Cardiff Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £7,200 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 Brunel University of London and Cardiff Metropolitan University?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Law, Business Studies, Marketing, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Economics, Media & Film Studies and 17 more.

Is Brunel University of London or Cardiff Metropolitan University better for Sport & Exercise Sciences?

Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from Brunel University of London, and £22,500 from Cardiff Metropolitan University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 82% at Brunel University of London and 87% at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Brunel University of London or Cardiff Metropolitan University offer more courses?

Brunel University of London lists 373 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Brunel University of London teaches 33 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including General Engineering, Mathematics, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Civil Engineering, Biochemistry, Drama & Theatre, History, Mechanical Engineering and 25 more.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 23 subject areas that Brunel University of London does not, including Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Health & Social Care, Nutrition & Dietetics, Software Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Dance and 15 more.

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