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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.

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Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff · THE World #1001

C
Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/9

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

Cardiff

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on established, employment, international, scholarship.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Cardiff University at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and Cardiff University both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business & Management (General) and Law. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £14,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £8,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 13 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Biomedical Engineering: £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £32,000 from Cardiff University. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 7 and Cardiff University in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#179
#1001
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#34
1865
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.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff University

84.5%
86.3%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
16%

International

International student share

321
362

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
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.

Cardiff Metropolitan

43 countries · 16.6% international

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

Cardiff

89 countries · 16% international

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

Subjects

35 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.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff University

Also taught at both: Social Work, Software Engineering, Architecture, Business Studies, Psychology (General), Biomedical Engineering, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Applied Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Human Resource Management, Creative Writing, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan 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

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£16,000
Cardiff University
£30,700

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £14,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
Cardiff University
£25,950

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £8,350 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.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff University

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction70%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,500
    80%Satisfaction81%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    75%Satisfaction94%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    88%Satisfaction80%

  • English Literature

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    100%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    95%Satisfaction81%

  • Software Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    63%Satisfaction87%

  • Architecture

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    84%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

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 →

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Cardiff University: common questions

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Cardiff University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £30,700 at Cardiff University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £14,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £25,950 at Cardiff University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £8,350 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 Cardiff Metropolitan University and Cardiff University?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Law, Marketing, Management, Design & Fashion, Biological Sciences (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Accounting, Sociology & Criminology, Journalism and 23 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Cardiff University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £33,500 from Cardiff University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 70% at Cardiff University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or Cardiff University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 17 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Business Information Systems, Dance, Food Science, Games Design & Computer Animation and 9 more.

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

Cardiff University teaches 51 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Physics and 43 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Cardiff Metropolitan University321 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses