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

O
Open University

None · THE 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.

4/8

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

4/8

Open

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff Metropolitan University and Open University are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on established, employment, international, scholarship; Open University on ranking, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Open University at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and Open University both teach 29 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Business & Management (General) and Computer Science. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; Open University offers 337 courses across 68 subject areas.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Open University is higher in 15 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Software Engineering: £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £38,000 from Open University. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Open University is higher in 12 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
#1001
THE World
#801
—
Guardian UK
—
1865
Established
1969
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

Open University

84.5%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£29,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
72.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
0.2%

International

International student share

321
337

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
0

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

Open

25 countries · 0.2% international

  • 🇩🇪Germany8.9%
  • 🌐Cyprus (European Union)6.7%
  • 🇫🇷France6.7%
  • 🇨🇳China4.4%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%

Subjects

29 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

Open University

Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Computing & IT, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Politics & International Relations, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Public Health & Epidemiology, Applied Psychology, Human Resource Management, Creative Writing, Personal & Professional Development, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at Open 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
Open University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
Open University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Open University yet.

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

Open University

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    80%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,500
    80%Satisfaction96%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    77%Satisfaction88%

  • Social Work

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

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 →

Open University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Open University: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Cardiff Metropolitan University and Open University?

Both universities teach 29 subject areas: Teacher Training, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Design & Fashion, Education Studies, Psychology (General), Social Work, Childhood & Youth Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 17 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £32,000 from Open University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 95% at Open University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or Open University offer more courses?

Open University lists 337 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 23 subject areas that Open University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Film Production & Cinematography, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biological Sciences (General), Business Studies and 15 more.

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

Open University teaches 39 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including History, Humanities, General Engineering, Mathematics, English Language, Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Combined & General Studies and 31 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
O
Open University337 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses