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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

S
SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

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

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs SOAS University of London at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and SOAS University of London both teach 12 subject areas, the largest being Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £7,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £7,720 a year cheaper.

Of the 4 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 4 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Politics & International Relations: £21,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £31,000 from SOAS University of London. Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 3 and SOAS University of London in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#458
#1001
THE World
#401
—
Guardian UK
#86
1865
Established
1916
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

SOAS University of London

84.5%
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£32,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
74.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
25.7%

International

International student share

321
296

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
27

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

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%

Subjects

12 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

SOAS University of London

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at SOAS 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
SOAS University of London
£23,780

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £7,780 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
SOAS University of London
£25,320

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £7,720 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

SOAS University of London

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    80%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£28,000
    80%Satisfaction77%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

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 →

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs SOAS University of London: common questions

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or SOAS 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 £23,780 at SOAS University of London: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £7,780 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £7,720 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 SOAS University of London?

Both universities teach 12 subject areas: Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Law, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biological Sciences (General), Management and Social Policy & Public Policy.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or SOAS University of London better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £31,000 from SOAS University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 90% at SOAS University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or SOAS University of London offer more courses?

Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at SOAS University of London?

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 40 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Social Work, Education Studies and 32 more.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?

SOAS University of London teaches 17 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Asian Languages & Studies, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Ancient Languages, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, Music, History and 9 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

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Cardiff Metropolitan University321 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
S
SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses