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
Belfast · QS World #595
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
Ulster
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Ulster University leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on established, courses, scholarship.
Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Ulster University at a glance
Cardiff Metropolitan University and Ulster University both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Marketing. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,490 a year cheaper.
Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Ulster University is higher in 16 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 10, with 2 about level.
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
Ulster University
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%
Ulster
45 countries · 32.5% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
- 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
- 🇮🇳India12.6%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%
Subjects
35 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
Ulster University
Sport & Exercise Sciences
25 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
21 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Marketing
19 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Design & Fashion
13 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,490 (UG)
Law
Accounting
Computer Science
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Social Work
Sociology & Criminology
Business Studies
Film Production & Cinematography
Health & Social Care
Media & Film Studies
Nutrition & Dietetics
Also taught at both: Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Software Engineering, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Information Systems & Data Science, Journalism, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Management, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Fine Art, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management.
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
- Ulster University
- £17,490
Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,490 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
- £17,600
- Ulster University
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster University yet.
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
Ulster University
Sport & Exercise Sciences
£22,500Salary (3 years)No data87%Satisfaction82%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£22,500Salary (3 years)No data84%Satisfaction96%Marketing
£23,000Salary (3 years)No data80%Satisfaction85%Design & Fashion
£18,500Salary (3 years)No data86%Satisfaction88%Law
No dataSalary (3 years)No data80%Satisfaction87%Accounting
£23,500Salary (3 years)No data89%Satisfaction95%Computer Science
£26,500Salary (3 years)No data83%Satisfaction79%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£23,000Salary (3 years)No data89%Satisfaction86%Social Work
£29,500Salary (3 years)No data81%Satisfaction96%Sociology & Criminology
£21,500Salary (3 years)No data87%Satisfaction84%Business Studies
£24,000Salary (3 years)No data80%Satisfaction83%Film Production & Cinematography
£18,500Salary (3 years)No data98%Satisfaction80%
Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.
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
Ulster University
View all scholarships →FAQ
Cardiff Metropolitan University vs Ulster University: common questions
Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or Ulster University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,490 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 Ulster University?
Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Design & Fashion, Law, Accounting, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Social Work, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Film Production & Cinematography and 23 more.
Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or Ulster University offer more courses?
Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.
What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at Ulster University?
Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 17 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Teacher Training, Business & Management (General), Education Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Applied Psychology, Business Information Systems, Dance and 9 more.
What can you study at Ulster University but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?
Ulster University teaches 31 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Civil Engineering, Irish Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, English Studies, General Engineering and 23 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.