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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 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

Brunel University of London

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, employment, graduate salary). Brunel University of London is ahead on international, courses, scholarship.

Brunel University of London vs Cardiff University at a glance

Brunel University of London and Cardiff University both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Mathematics and General Engineering. Brunel University of London offers 373 courses across 62 subject areas; Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at Brunel University of London and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Brunel University of London is about £13,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,800 a year at Brunel University of London and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Brunel University of London is about £1,150 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Brunel University of London is higher in 14 and Cardiff University in 7, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation: £33,000 three years after graduating from Brunel University of London, against £29,000 from Cardiff University. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 14 and Brunel University of London in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#353
QS World
#179
#401
THE World
#201
#69
Guardian UK
#34
1966
Established
1883
No
Russell Group
Yes
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 University

81.7%
86.3%

Satisfaction

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

£35,800
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

79.3%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

34.6%
16%

International

International student share

373
362

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

22
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.

Brunel University of London

81 countries · 34.6% international

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

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

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

Subjects

50 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 University

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Design & Fashion, Accounting, Computing & IT, Psychology (General), History, Music, Social Sciences (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Philosophy, English Literature, English Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Linguistics, Social Work, Statistics, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, Children's Nursing, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Geography (General), Human Resource Management, Medical Imaging, Medicine, Mental Health Nursing, Environmental Sciences, Marketing, Public Relations.

Only at Brunel University of London

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

Brunel University of London
£17,400
Cardiff University
£30,700

Brunel University of London is about £13,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Brunel University of London
£24,800
Cardiff University
£25,950

Brunel University of London is about £1,150 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 University

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction80%

  • Mathematics

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • General Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    70%Satisfaction81%

  • Computer Science

    £37,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    74%Satisfaction70%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    72%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction81%

  • Economics

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    79%Satisfaction80%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    75%Satisfaction73%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £30,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    88%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Brunel University of London vs Cardiff University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,400 a year at Brunel University of London and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Brunel University of London is about £13,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,800 a year at Brunel University of London and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Brunel University of London is about £1,150 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 University?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Mathematics, General Engineering, Law, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Economics, Business & Management (General) and 38 more.

Is Brunel University of London or Cardiff University better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Brunel University of London, and £31,000 from Cardiff University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Brunel University of London and 80% at Cardiff University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Brunel University of London lists 373 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Brunel University of London teaches 12 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Biochemistry, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business Information Systems, Drama & Theatre, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Anthropology, Combined & General Studies and 4 more.

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

Cardiff University teaches 36 subject areas that Brunel University of London does not, including Chemistry, Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Architecture and 28 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

B
Brunel University of London373 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses