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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

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

1/9

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 1 category

VS

8/9

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

UCL (University College London) leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on employment.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs UCL (University College London) at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and UCL (University College London) both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General) and Psychology (General). Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £17,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 17 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £51,000 from UCL (University College London). Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, UCL (University College London) is higher in 9 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 8, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#8
#1001
THE World
#22
—
Guardian UK
#9
1865
Established
1826
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
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

UCL (University College London)

84.5%
86.5%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£46,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
80.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
51.9%

International

International student share

321
1131

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
18

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

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%

Subjects

39 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

UCL (University College London)

Also taught at both: Law, Health & Social Care, Education Studies, Public Health & Epidemiology, Media & Film Studies, Software Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Nutrition & Dietetics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Fine Art, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Healthcare Science, Biomedical Engineering, Computing & IT, Business Studies, English Literature, Information Systems & Data Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at UCL (University College 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
UCL (University College London)
£29,800

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
UCL (University College London)
£34,700

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £17,100 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

UCL (University College London)

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    80%Satisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    77%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£51,000
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£40,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£45,000
    88%Satisfaction79%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Architecture

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£41,000
    80%Satisfaction92%

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    93%SatisfactionNo data

  • Public Health & Epidemiology

    £28,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction93%

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 →

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs UCL (University College London): common questions

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or UCL (University College London) cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £17,100 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 UCL (University College London)?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Business & Management (General), Psychology (General), Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Economics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Politics & International Relations, Management and 27 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or UCL (University College London) better for Childhood & Youth Studies?

Childhood & Youth Studies graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £41,500 from UCL (University College London). Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 84% at UCL (University College London). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or UCL (University College London) offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at UCL (University College London)?

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 13 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Business Information Systems, Dance, Food Science, Aerospace Engineering and 5 more.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?

UCL (University College London) teaches 70 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Biomedical Sciences, French, Geology & Earth Sciences, Planning & Housing and 62 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
U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses