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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

R
Royal Holloway, University of London

Egham · QS World #485

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

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

Royal Holloway, University of London 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 Royal Holloway, University of London at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and Royal Holloway, University of London both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Economics. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £10,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £8,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 11 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £41,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 7 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#485
#1001
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#45
1865
Established
1879
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Royal Holloway, University of London

84.5%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£36,152.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
78.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
16.7%

International

International student share

321
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
32

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

Royal Holloway

79 countries · 16.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.8%
  • 🇨🇳China8.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%

Subjects

27 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

Also taught at both: Applied Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Biological Sciences (General), Business Studies, Computing & IT, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Games Design & Computer Animation, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

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
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,800

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £10,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £8,800 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)No data
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction98%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • English Literature

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    100%Satisfaction90%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Social Work

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    77%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 15 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 →

Royal Holloway, University of London

International Partners Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Katayoon Behboodi Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Mary Anning Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw Scholarships for English

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw for English Access Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Royal Holloway, University of London: common questions

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Royal Holloway, University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £10,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £8,800 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 Royal Holloway, University of London?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Economics, Marketing, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Management, English Literature, Media & Film Studies, Social Work and 15 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Royal Holloway, University of London better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £41,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 83% at Royal Holloway, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or Royal Holloway, University of London offer more courses?

Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at Royal Holloway, University of London?

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 25 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Education Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics and 17 more.

What can you study at Royal Holloway, University of London but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 33 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Mathematics, Music, Biochemistry, History, German & Scandinavian Studies, Physics, Classical Studies and 25 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
R
Royal Holloway, University of London351 courses · 32 scholarshipsBrowse Courses