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
Southend-on-Sea
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 6 datapoints
We looked at 6 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
5/6
Cardiff Metropolitan
scored higher in 5 categories
1/6
University Centre South Essex
scored higher in 1 category
Quick Verdict
Cardiff Metropolitan University leads in 5 of 6 categories where both have data (established, employment, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). University Centre South Essex is ahead on satisfaction.
Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University Centre South Essex at a glance
Cardiff Metropolitan University and University Centre South Essex both teach 16 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Business & Management (General). Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University Centre South Essex offers 25 courses across 18 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £17,930 at University Centre South Essex: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,930 a year cheaper.
Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 4 and University Centre South Essex in 2, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Games Design & Computer Animation: £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £17,500 from University Centre South Essex. Of the 8 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University Centre South Essex is higher in 7 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 1.
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
University Centre South Essex
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%
University Centre South Essex
No published data on international students
Subjects
16 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
University Centre South Essex
Teacher Training
67 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,930 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
25 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,930 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
15 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Design & Fashion
13 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
3 coursesTypical fee £17,930 (UG)
Accounting
Education Studies
Film Production & Cinematography
Manufacturing & Production Engineering
Sociology & Criminology
Media & Film Studies
Crafts & Applied Arts
Psychology (General)
Dance
Games Design & Computer Animation
Fine Art
Also taught at both: Computing & IT.
Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University
Only at University Centre South Essex
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
- University Centre South Essex
- £17,930
Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,930 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
- £17,600
- University Centre South Essex
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for University Centre South Essex 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
University Centre South Essex
Sport & Exercise Sciences
£22,500Salary (3 years)£24,50087%Satisfaction75%Business & Management (General)
£23,000Salary (3 years)£19,00080%SatisfactionNo dataDesign & Fashion
£18,500Salary (3 years)£18,50086%Satisfaction100%Accounting
£23,500Salary (3 years)£19,00089%SatisfactionNo dataEducation Studies
£21,000Salary (3 years)£20,00093%SatisfactionNo dataFilm Production & Cinematography
£18,500Salary (3 years)£18,50098%Satisfaction99%Sociology & Criminology
£21,500Salary (3 years)£22,00087%Satisfaction94%Crafts & Applied Arts
£18,500Salary (3 years)£18,50078%Satisfaction100%Psychology (General)
£19,500Salary (3 years)No data77%Satisfaction95%Games Design & Computer Animation
£26,500Salary (3 years)£17,50088%Satisfaction89%Fine Art
£18,500Salary (3 years)£18,50080%Satisfaction100%
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
University Centre South Essex
View all scholarships →FAQ
Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University Centre South Essex: common questions
Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University Centre South Essex cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £17,930 at University Centre South Essex: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,930 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 University Centre South Essex?
Both universities teach 16 subject areas: Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Accounting, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Crafts & Applied Arts, Psychology (General) and 4 more.
Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University Centre South Essex better for Sport & Exercise Sciences?
Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £24,500 from University Centre South Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 75% at University Centre South Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or University Centre South Essex offer more courses?
Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and University Centre South Essex lists 25 courses.
What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at University Centre South Essex?
Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 36 subject areas that University Centre South Essex does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Law, Social Work, Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics and 28 more.
What can you study at University Centre South Essex but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?
University Centre South Essex teaches 2 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Drama & Theatre and Counselling & Psychotherapy.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.