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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

M
Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester · QS World #600

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

Manchester Metropolitan

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Manchester Metropolitan University at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and Manchester Metropolitan University both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Design & Fashion and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £5,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £3,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 13 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 12, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Sport & Exercise Sciences: £22,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £31,500 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 19 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 9.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#600
#1001
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#62
1865
Established
1970
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

Manchester Metropolitan University

84.5%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
84.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
9.3%

International

International student share

321
393

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
3

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

Manchester Metropolitan

90 countries · 9.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.7%
  • 🇨🇳China10.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.1%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7%
  • 🌐Kuwait5.8%

Subjects

43 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

Manchester Metropolitan University

Also taught at both: Accounting, Computer Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Work, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Architecture, Childhood & Youth Studies, Business Information Systems, Food Science, Health & Social Care, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Fine Art, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Human Resource Management, Journalism, Public Health & Epidemiology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Clinical & Health Psychology, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at Manchester Metropolitan 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
Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,500

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £5,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,000

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £3,400 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

Manchester Metropolitan University

  • Teacher Training

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    No dataSatisfaction93%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    80%Satisfaction88%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    80%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,500
    80%Satisfaction92%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£19,500
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

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

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

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

Showing the 12 largest of 31 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 →

Manchester Metropolitan University

Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarships

100%

Deadline: May 2026

Doctoral Landscape Awards

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulbright Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Manchester Metropolitan University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £5,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £3,400 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 Manchester Metropolitan University?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Teacher Training, Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Business Studies, Law, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Education Studies, Politics & International Relations and 31 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Manchester Metropolitan 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 Manchester Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or Manchester Metropolitan University offer more courses?

Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 9 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including English Literature, Dance, Information Systems & Data Science, Aerospace Engineering, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Healthcare Science, Computing & IT, Personal & Professional Development and 1 more.

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

Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 35 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including English Studies, Chemistry, Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, History, Biomedical Sciences, French, Linguistics and 27 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
M
Manchester Metropolitan University393 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses