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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 Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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.

3/9

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

6/9

Birmingham

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Birmingham leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on established, employment, scholarship.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Birmingham both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Marketing. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £11,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £5,790 a year cheaper.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 19 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £40,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 13 and University of Birmingham in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#68
#1001
THE World
#98
—
Guardian UK
#18
1865
Established
1900
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

University of Birmingham

84.5%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
31.2%

International

International student share

321
663

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

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

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

University of Birmingham

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Business Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Psychology (General), Social Work, Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Management, Biological Sciences (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Applied Psychology, English Literature, Film Production & Cinematography, Information Systems & Data Science, Software Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Aerospace Engineering, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Healthcare Science, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at University of 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 of Birmingham
£27,090

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £11,090 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
University of Birmingham
£23,390

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £5,790 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 Birmingham

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    80%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    80%Satisfaction79%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    84%Satisfaction80%

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    93%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    83%Satisfaction93%

  • Health Sciences & Paramedic Science

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    100%SatisfactionNo data

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    89%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 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 Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £11,090 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £5,790 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 Birmingham?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Marketing, Law, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Health & Social Care, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Education Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 27 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Birmingham better for Sport & Exercise Sciences?

Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £25,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 88% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 13 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Design & Fashion, Nutrition & Dietetics, Business Information Systems, Dance, Food Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering and 5 more.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 62 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including History, Philosophy, Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, International Development, Physics, Music, Ancient Languages and 54 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 Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses