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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

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

Plymouth

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Plymouth both teach 34 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism and Design & Fashion. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £3,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,900 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Plymouth is higher in 17 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 4, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £32,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 14 and University of Plymouth in 12.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#691
#1001
THE World
#501
—
Guardian UK
#56
1865
Established
1862
No
Russell Group
No
—
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 Plymouth

84.5%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
11.9%

International

International student share

321
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Social Work, Economics, Management, Software Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Games Design & Computer Animation, Media & Film Studies, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Applied Psychology, Architecture, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Writing, Biomedical Engineering, Fine Art, Human Resource Management.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £3,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
University of Plymouth
£19,500

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,900 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 Plymouth

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction77%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    80%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£21,500
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    77%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    83%Satisfaction72%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction83%

  • Nutrition & Dietetics

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction96%

  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    80%Satisfaction74%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

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 Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £3,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,900 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 34 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Psychology (General), Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Nutrition & Dietetics, Business Studies, Accounting and 22 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Plymouth better for Business & Management (General)?

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 83% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Health & Social Care, English Literature, Business Information Systems, Dance, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Food Science and 10 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 44 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Civil Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Adult Nursing, Physical Geography & Climate, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry and 36 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses