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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

E
Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh · QS World #801

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.

3/8

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

5/8

Edinburgh Napier

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Edinburgh Napier University at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and Edinburgh Napier University both teach 32 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; Edinburgh Napier University offers 199 courses across 53 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £20,310 at Edinburgh Napier University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £4,310 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £20,540 at Edinburgh Napier University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £2,940 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Edinburgh Napier University is higher in 12 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Business & Management (General): £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £36,000 from Edinburgh Napier University. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Edinburgh Napier University is higher in 12 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#801
#1001
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#57
1865
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
—
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

Edinburgh Napier University

84.5%
84.3%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
86.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
27.5%

International

International student share

321
199

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
29

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

Edinburgh Napier

70 countries · 27.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India30.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.5%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.3%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4.2%

Subjects

32 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

Edinburgh Napier University

Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Information Systems & Data Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Applied Psychology, Architecture, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Journalism, Computing & IT, Personal & Professional Development, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at Edinburgh Napier 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
Edinburgh Napier University
£20,310

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £4,310 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
Edinburgh Napier University
£20,540

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £2,940 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

Edinburgh Napier University

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction77%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    80%Satisfaction79%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    80%Satisfaction85%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    80%Satisfaction79%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    98%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£18,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 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 →

Edinburgh Napier University

OAS Craiglockhart Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

WSP and Dodyk Scholarship

£16,875

Deadline: N/A

Hong Kong Scholarship Trust

£16,000

Deadline: Apr 2027

Carnegie Masters Grant

£10,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Data and AI Scholarships with The Data Lab

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Edinburgh Napier University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £20,310 at Edinburgh Napier University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £4,310 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £20,540 at Edinburgh Napier University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £2,940 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 Edinburgh Napier University?

Both universities teach 32 subject areas: Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Management, Business Studies, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography and 20 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Edinburgh Napier University better for Hospitality, Events & Tourism?

Hospitality, Events & Tourism graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £21,000 from Edinburgh Napier University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 87% at Edinburgh Napier University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or Edinburgh Napier University offer more courses?

Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and Edinburgh Napier University lists 199 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 20 subject areas that Edinburgh Napier University does not, including Social Work, Education Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics, Nutrition & Dietetics, English Literature, Business Information Systems, Dance and 12 more.

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

Edinburgh Napier University teaches 21 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Building & Construction, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Drama & Theatre, Ecology & Conservation, Music, Biomedical Sciences, English Studies and 13 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
E
Edinburgh Napier University199 courses · 29 scholarshipsBrowse Courses