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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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

Leeds

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Leeds at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Leeds both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Design & Fashion. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £17,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 22 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £42,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 13 and University of Leeds in 12, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#77
#1001
THE World
#118
—
Guardian UK
#15
1865
Established
1904
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 Leeds

84.5%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
31.5%

International

International student share

321
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

43 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: Management, Nutrition & Dietetics, Personal & Professional Development, Biological Sciences (General), English Literature, Biomedical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Food Science, Health & Social Care, Social Work, Aerospace Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Information Systems & Data Science, Psychology (General), Social Policy & Public Policy, Public Health & Epidemiology, Software Engineering, Fine Art, Human Resource Management, Applied Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Architecture, Healthcare Science, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Journalism.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £17,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
University of Leeds
£31,500

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,900 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 Leeds

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction75%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£26,000
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction82%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 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 Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Leeds: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £17,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,900 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Computer Science, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Business & Management (General), Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Politics & International Relations and 31 more.

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

Sport & Exercise Sciences graduates earn a median £22,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £26,500 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 75% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 9 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Accounting, Business Information Systems, Dance, Games Design & Computer Animation, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Crafts & Applied Arts, Computing & IT and 1 more.

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

University of Leeds teaches 67 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Civil Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Music, History, Philosophy, Ancient Languages and 59 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 Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses