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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
University College Birmingham

Birmingham

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

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University College Birmingham at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and University College Birmingham both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Marketing. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £600 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 9 and University College Birmingham in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Education Studies: £21,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £17,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 13 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
—
#1001
THE World
—
—
Guardian UK
—
1865
Established
1957
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

University College Birmingham

84.5%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
47%

International

International student share

321
115

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
7

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

University College Birmingham

26 countries · 47% international

  • 🌐Nepal48.9%
  • 🇮🇳India24.7%
  • 🇨🇳China11.5%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%

Subjects

26 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 College Birmingham

Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics, Applied Psychology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Business Information Systems, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Politics & International Relations, Public Health & Epidemiology, Architecture, Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at University College Birmingham

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 College Birmingham
£13,500

University College Birmingham is about £2,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
University College Birmingham
£17,000

University College Birmingham is about £600 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

University College Birmingham

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    80%Satisfaction85%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    80%Satisfaction93%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    86%SatisfactionNo data

  • Health & Social Care

    £19,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    80%Satisfaction86%

  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    86%Satisfaction98%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    93%Satisfaction98%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Food Science

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    91%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 →

University College Birmingham

GREAT Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Dean's Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

Early Action Scholarship

£4,500

Deadline: Jul 2026

Alumni Scholarship

25%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University College Birmingham: common questions

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £2,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £600 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 College Birmingham?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Marketing, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Health & Social Care, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science and 14 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University College Birmingham better for Hospitality, Events & Tourism?

Hospitality, Events & Tourism graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 93% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?

Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at University College Birmingham?

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 26 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Teacher Training, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Law, Social Work, Economics, Film Production & Cinematography, Media & Film Studies and 18 more.

What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?

University College Birmingham teaches 10 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Building & Construction, Food Production & Technology, Planning & Housing, Adult Nursing, Civil Engineering, Creative Arts (General), Mechanical Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 2 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
University College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses