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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

L
Lancaster University

Lancaster · QS World #164

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.

2/8

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

6/8

Lancaster

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

Lancaster University leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on established, employment.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Lancaster University at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and Lancaster University both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Marketing and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; Lancaster University offers 526 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £12,680 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £24,300 at Lancaster University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Lancaster University is higher in 17 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 1. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £32,000 from Lancaster University. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Lancaster University is higher in 14 and Cardiff Metropolitan 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
#164
#1001
THE World
#184
—
Guardian UK
#10
1865
Established
1964
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Lancaster University

84.5%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
79.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
22.4%

International

International student share

321
526

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
11

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

Lancaster

83 countries · 22.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China41.1%
  • 🇮🇳India9.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.9%
  • 🇪🇸Spain3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

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

Lancaster University

Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Health & Social Care, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Fine Art, Social Work, Information Systems & Data Science, Architecture, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Management, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at Lancaster 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
Lancaster University
£28,680

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £12,680 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
Lancaster University
£24,300

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,700 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

Lancaster University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    80%Satisfaction82%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    80%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction99%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,500
    80%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction68%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 →

Lancaster University

India Scholarship – Postgraduate

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

LPDP Scholarship 2026

100%

Deadline: N/A

Lancaster Sanctuary Fellowship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Master's Scholarship for Black British Students

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulgoni Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Lancaster University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £28,680 at Lancaster University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £12,680 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £24,300 at Lancaster University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,700 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 Lancaster University?

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

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Lancaster University better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £31,000 from Lancaster University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 82% at Lancaster University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or Lancaster University offer more courses?

Lancaster University lists 526 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 17 subject areas that Lancaster University does not, including Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Nutrition & Dietetics, Applied Psychology, Business Information Systems, Dance and 9 more.

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

Lancaster University teaches 36 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, Physics, Linguistics, Chemical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences and 28 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
L
Lancaster University526 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses