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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 of Aberdeen

Aberdeen · QS World #288

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

2/8

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

6/8

Aberdeen

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Aberdeen leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on employment, scholarship.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Aberdeen at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Aberdeen both teach 27 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Law and Economics. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of Aberdeen offers 597 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £4,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £5,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Aberdeen is higher in 12 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Teacher Training: £21,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £31,500 from University of Aberdeen. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Aberdeen is higher in 8 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#288
#1001
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#22
1865
Established
1495
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

University of Aberdeen

84.5%
89.2%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
78.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
18.8%

International

International student share

321
597

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
3

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

Aberdeen

81 countries · 18.8% international

  • 🇨🇳China20.2%
  • 🇮🇳India14.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States8.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%

Subjects

27 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 of Aberdeen

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Health & Social Care, Media & Film Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Information Systems & Data Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Computing & IT, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at University of Aberdeen

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 of Aberdeen
£20,800

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £4,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
University of Aberdeen
£23,000

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £5,400 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 of Aberdeen

  • Teacher Training

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    No dataSatisfaction95%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,500
    80%Satisfaction92%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction98%

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    93%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    95%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    80%Satisfaction100%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction77%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    77%Satisfaction88%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    98%Satisfaction91%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 14 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 of Aberdeen

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Postgraduate

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Postgraduate

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Aberdeen Global Scholarship - Undergraduate and PGDE

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Aberdeen: common questions

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Aberdeen cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £20,800 at University of Aberdeen: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £4,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £23,000 at University of Aberdeen: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £5,400 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 of Aberdeen?

Both universities teach 27 subject areas: Teacher Training, Law, Economics, Management, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Computer Science, Psychology (General) and 15 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Aberdeen better for Teacher Training?

Teacher Training graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £31,500 from University of Aberdeen. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Aberdeen offer more courses?

University of Aberdeen lists 597 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at University of Aberdeen?

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 25 subject areas that University of Aberdeen does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Social Work, Childhood & Youth Studies, Software Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), English Literature and 17 more.

What can you study at University of Aberdeen but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?

University of Aberdeen teaches 53 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including English Studies, French, Anthropology, German & Scandinavian Studies, Chemical Engineering, Celtic Studies, History, Ancient Languages and 45 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 of Aberdeen597 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses