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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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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

Nottingham

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Nottingham at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Nottingham both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Sport & Exercise Sciences. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £17,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 14 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 14 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £25,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £38,500 from University of Nottingham. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Nottingham is higher in 8 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#97
#1001
THE World
#145
—
Guardian UK
#21
1865
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

84.5%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
21.1%

International

International student share

321
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

38 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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Architecture, Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Nutrition & Dietetics, Management, Accounting, Aerospace Engineering, Applied Psychology, Food Science, Social Work, Business Studies, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, English Literature, Information Systems & Data Science, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Clinical & Health Psychology, Human Resource Management.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £17,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
University of Nottingham
£30,800

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,200 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 Nottingham

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    83%Satisfaction79%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    95%Satisfaction79%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£34,000
    80%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Architecture

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £17,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,200 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Politics & International Relations and 26 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Nottingham better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £35,500 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 86% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 14 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Software Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Business Information Systems, Dance, Games Design & Computer Animation, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and 6 more.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 60 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Philosophy, Physics, Civil Engineering, Biotechnology, Human Geography & Environment, Linguistics, Mathematics and 52 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses