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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.

C
Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff · THE World #1001

D
Durham University

Durham · QS World #85

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.

2/9

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Durham

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Durham University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on employment, courses.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Durham University at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and Durham University both teach 23 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Computer Science. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; Durham University offers 278 courses across 54 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £31,000 at Durham University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £15,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £30,500 at Durham University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £12,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Durham University is higher in 12 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Accounting: £23,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £44,000 from Durham University. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Durham University is higher in 8 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 3, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#85
#1001
THE World
#175
—
Guardian UK
#6
1865
Established
1832
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Durham University

84.5%
90.7%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£43,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
74.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
32.6%

International

International student share

321
278

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
102

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

Durham

86 countries · 32.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India5.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.9%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.6%

Subjects

23 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

Durham University

Also taught at both: Management, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Literature, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at Durham 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
Durham University
£31,000

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £15,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
Durham University
£30,500

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £12,900 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

Durham University

  • Teacher Training

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction78%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£36,000
    80%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    77%Satisfaction91%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£41,000
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    93%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 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 →

Durham University

Sir Harry Evans Global Fellowship

£53,333

Deadline: N/A

Durham Inspiring Excellence Scholarships - Undergraduate

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

The Global DBA Scholarships

£25,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

The Mary Ward Postgraduate Scholarship Fund

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

Global Grand Challenges Studentships

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Durham University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £31,000 at Durham University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £15,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £30,500 at Durham University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £12,900 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 Durham University?

Both universities teach 23 subject areas: Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Computer Science, Law, Marketing, Economics, Business & Management (General), Accounting, Psychology (General), Business Studies, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and 11 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Durham University better for Teacher Training?

Teacher Training graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £26,500 from Durham University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or Durham University offer more courses?

Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and Durham University lists 278 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 29 subject areas that Durham University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Social Work, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Media & Film Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Software Engineering and 21 more.

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

Durham University teaches 31 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, General Engineering, Anthropology, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics and 23 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff Metropolitan University321 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
D
Durham University278 courses · 102 scholarshipsBrowse Courses