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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
Southampton, Solent University

Southampton

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.

4/7

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

3/7

Southampton

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff Metropolitan University leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Southampton, Solent University is ahead on established, satisfaction, scholarship.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Southampton, Solent University at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and Southampton, Solent University both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Hospitality, Events & Tourism. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £19,080 at Southampton, Solent University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £3,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £18,350 at Southampton, Solent University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £750 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 10 and Southampton, Solent University in 8, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Games Design & Computer Animation: £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £22,500 from Southampton, Solent University. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 14 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.

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QS World
—
#1001
THE World
—
—
Guardian UK
—
1865
Established
1855
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

Southampton, Solent University

84.5%
88.2%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£28,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
14.9%

International

International student share

321
294

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
11

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

Southampton

56 countries · 14.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India39%
  • 🇳🇴Norway6.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.3%
  • 🌐Morocco2.4%

Subjects

30 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

Southampton, Solent University

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Work, Psychology (General), Architecture, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Childhood & Youth Studies, Applied Psychology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Journalism, Fine Art, Information Systems & Data Science, Politics & International Relations.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at Southampton, Solent 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
Southampton, Solent University
£19,080

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £3,080 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
Southampton, Solent University
£18,350

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £750 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

Southampton, Solent University

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction77%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    80%Satisfaction93%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,500
    80%Satisfaction96%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    98%Satisfaction82%

  • Media & Film Studies

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

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Software Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    63%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 →

Southampton, Solent University

Solent Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: N/A

Carers Bursary

£1,200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, Boater community bursary

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Undergraduate Apprenticeship Bursary

£200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Parents bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Southampton, Solent University: common questions

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Southampton, Solent University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £19,080 at Southampton, Solent University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £3,080 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £18,350 at Southampton, Solent University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £750 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 Southampton, Solent University?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Accounting, Law, Marketing, Computer Science, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology and 18 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Southampton, Solent University better for Design & Fashion?

Design & Fashion graduates earn a median £18,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £20,500 from Southampton, Solent University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 89% at Southampton, Solent University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or Southampton, Solent University offer more courses?

Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at Southampton, Solent University?

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 22 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including Teacher Training, Economics, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biological Sciences (General), English Literature, Business Information Systems, Dance, Developmental & Educational Psychology and 14 more.

What can you study at Southampton, Solent University but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?

Southampton, Solent University teaches 12 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Music, Social Sciences (General), Building & Construction, Mechanical Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Drama & Theatre and 4 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
S
Southampton, Solent University294 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses