Skip to main content

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
Loughborough University

Loughborough · QS World #203

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.

1/8

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 1 category

VS

7/8

Loughborough

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Loughborough University leads in 7 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on established.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Loughborough University at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and Loughborough University both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion and Computer Science. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £29,750 at Loughborough University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £29,500 at Loughborough University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £11,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 17 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £43,000 from Loughborough University. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Loughborough University is higher in 6 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 5, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#203
#1001
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#11
1865
Established
1909
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

Loughborough University

84.5%
87.6%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£41,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
84%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
18.4%

International

International student share

321
416

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
36

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

Loughborough

90 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China24.7%
  • 🇮🇳India13.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%

Subjects

33 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

Loughborough University

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Law, Accounting, Childhood & Youth Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, English Literature, Film Production & Cinematography, Public Health & Epidemiology, Architecture, Fine Art, Computing & IT, Personal & Professional Development, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at Loughborough 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
Loughborough University
£29,750

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
Loughborough University
£29,500

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £11,900 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

Loughborough University

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    80%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£37,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    77%Satisfaction85%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    95%Satisfaction82%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£37,000
    89%SatisfactionNo data

Showing the 12 largest of 17 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 →

Loughborough University

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Care Leaver's Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Impact Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Inspiring Success Scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Loughborough University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £29,750 at Loughborough University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £29,500 at Loughborough University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £11,900 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 Loughborough University?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Management, Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology and 21 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Loughborough University better for Sport & Exercise Sciences?

Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £26,500 from Loughborough University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 85% at Loughborough University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or Loughborough University offer more courses?

Loughborough University lists 416 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 19 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Teacher Training, Social Work, Nutrition & Dietetics, Software Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Business Information Systems, Dance and 11 more.

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

Loughborough University teaches 30 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Chemical Engineering, English Studies and 22 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
Loughborough University416 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses