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.
Cardiff · THE World #1001
Edinburgh · QS World #1201
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/7
Cardiff Metropolitan
scored higher in 3 categories
4/7
Queen Margaret
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on established, courses, scholarship.
Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh at a glance
Cardiff Metropolitan University and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Business & Management (General) and Hospitality, Events & Tourism. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £860 a year cheaper.
Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 7 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 2. The widest gap is in Nutrition & Dietetics: £25,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £22,500 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 7 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 4.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Queen Margaret
51 countries · 18.6% international
- 🇮🇪Ireland29%
- 🌐Nepal9.8%
- 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
- 🇺🇸United States4.5%
Subjects
16 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
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Teacher Training
67 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
4 coursesFee not available
Business & Management (General)
15 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £18,460 (PG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
21 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Marketing
19 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £18,460 (PG)
Design & Fashion
13 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Education Studies
Nutrition & Dietetics
Business Studies
Media & Film Studies
Psychology (General)
Sociology & Criminology
Finance & Actuarial Science
Health & Social Care
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Politics & International Relations
Also taught at both: Complementary & Alternative Medicine.
Only at Cardiff 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
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.
Postgraduate
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
- £17,600
- Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
- £18,460
Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £860 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
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Business & Management (General)
£23,000Salary (3 years)£22,00080%Satisfaction92%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£22,500Salary (3 years)£22,00084%Satisfaction86%Marketing
£23,000Salary (3 years)£22,00080%Satisfaction76%Design & Fashion
£18,500Salary (3 years)£19,50086%Satisfaction95%Education Studies
£21,000Salary (3 years)No data93%Satisfaction88%Nutrition & Dietetics
£25,000Salary (3 years)£22,50095%Satisfaction90%Media & Film Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,00084%Satisfaction88%Psychology (General)
£19,500Salary (3 years)£21,00077%Satisfaction82%Sociology & Criminology
£21,500Salary (3 years)£21,00087%Satisfaction94%Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
£25,000Salary (3 years)£24,500100%Satisfaction88%Complementary & Alternative Medicine
£25,500Salary (3 years)£23,00080%Satisfaction81%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveCardiff 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
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Scottish Highlands & Islands Schools Scholarship
£500
Deadline: Jun 2026
Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
The Alison Scott Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: common questions
Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £860 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 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Teacher Training, Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Design & Fashion, Education Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Business Studies, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science and 4 more.
Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £22,000 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 92% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offer more courses?
Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh lists 68 courses.
What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?
Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 36 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Computer Science, Law, Social Work, Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics and 28 more.
What can you study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 9 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Cultural Studies, Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Classical Studies, Clinical Specialities and 1 more.
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