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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 Essex

Colchester · QS World #438

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

Essex

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Essex at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Essex both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of Essex offers 748 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £5,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,280 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Essex is higher in 16 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £33,000 from University of Essex. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 13 and University of Essex in 6, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#438
#1001
THE World
#301
—
Guardian UK
#44
1865
Established
1964
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 of Essex

84.5%
87.2%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
33.7%

International

International student share

321
748

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
30

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

Essex

97 countries · 33.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.2%
  • 🇨🇳China11.7%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.1%
  • 🇫🇷France5.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.4%

Subjects

34 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 Essex

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Journalism, Management, Design & Fashion, Childhood & Youth Studies, Applied Psychology, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Social Work, Health & Social Care, Biomedical Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at University of 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 of Essex
£21,500

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £5,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
University of Essex
£23,880

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,280 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 Essex

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£24,000
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

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

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction81%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    80%Satisfaction75%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    95%Satisfaction77%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction78%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    80%SatisfactionNo data

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    77%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 Essex

Access Essex Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Sustainable Transitions - Governance, Ecological Management and Society - Leverhulme Doctoral Training Programme 2026-27 (Masters plus PhD)

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Essex MBA Dean's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Research EU Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Essex: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £21,500 at University of Essex: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £5,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £23,880 at University of Essex: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £6,280 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 Essex?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Teacher Training, Politics & International Relations, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Economics, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Business & Management (General) and 22 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Essex better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £21,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £25,000 from University of Essex. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 86% at University of Essex. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Essex lists 748 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Essex does not, including Education Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Software Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Business Information Systems, Dance, Food Science, Games Design & Computer Animation and 10 more.

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

University of Essex teaches 40 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including History, Philosophy, History of Art & Design, Drama & Theatre, Mathematics, Linguistics, Ecology & Conservation, English Language and 32 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 Essex748 courses · 30 scholarshipsBrowse Courses