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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 Cambridge

Cambridge · QS World #6

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.

2/9

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

7/9

Cambridge

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Cambridge leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on employment, scholarship.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Cambridge at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Cambridge both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Biological Sciences (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Business & Management (General). Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of Cambridge offers 336 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £16,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £23,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Cambridge is higher in 5 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Cambridge is higher in 5 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 1, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#6
#1001
THE World
#3
—
Guardian UK
#2
1865
Established
1209
No
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Gold

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 Cambridge

84.5%
92.1%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£49,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
32.2%

International

International student share

321
336

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
0

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

Cambridge

96 countries · 32.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China28.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States10.3%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore6.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇮🇳India4.7%

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 of Cambridge

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Health & Social Care, Business Studies, Information Systems & Data Science, Creative Writing, Aerospace Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Clinical & Health Psychology, Computing & IT.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at University of Cambridge

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 Cambridge
£32,890

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £16,890 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
University of Cambridge
£41,300

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £23,700 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 Cambridge

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    No dataSalary (3 years)£35,000
    75%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£49,000
    80%Satisfaction96%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£63,500
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£59,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Architecture

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    77%Satisfaction92%

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 Cambridge

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Cambridge: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £32,890 at University of Cambridge: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £16,890 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £41,300 at University of Cambridge: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £23,700 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 Cambridge?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Biological Sciences (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Computer Science, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Architecture and 14 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Cambridge better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £63,500 from University of Cambridge. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 94% at University of Cambridge. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Cambridge lists 336 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 26 subject areas that University of Cambridge does not, including Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Marketing, Design & Fashion, Accounting, Social Work, Film Production & Cinematography, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 18 more.

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

University of Cambridge teaches 53 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including History, Asian Languages & Studies, General Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Mathematics, Archaeology, Clinical Specialities, Philosophy 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 Cambridge336 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses