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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 Reading

Reading · QS World #196

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

Reading

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Reading at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Reading both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Business & Management (General) and Marketing. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of Reading offers 448 courses across 70 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £9,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £8,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Reading is higher in 21 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £38,500 from University of Reading. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 12 and University of Reading in 11.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#196
#1001
THE World
#201
—
Guardian UK
#33
1865
Established
1892
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 Reading

84.5%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£35,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
18%

International

International student share

321
448

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
1

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

Reading

96 countries · 18% international

  • 🇨🇳China26%
  • 🇮🇳India6.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.2%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.9%

Subjects

33 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 Reading

Also taught at both: Management, Food Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biological Sciences (General), Computer Science, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Fine Art, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Film Production & Cinematography, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at University of Reading

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 Reading
£25,850

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £9,850 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
University of Reading
£26,450

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £8,850 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 Reading

  • Teacher Training

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    No dataSatisfaction77%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    80%Satisfaction77%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    80%Satisfaction76%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    95%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction82%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    86%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£27,500
    80%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    77%Satisfaction83%

  • English Literature

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    100%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 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 Reading

The Sporting Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Reading: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £25,850 at University of Reading: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £9,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £26,450 at University of Reading: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £8,850 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 Reading?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Teacher Training, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Economics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, Law, Psychology (General), English Literature, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology and 21 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Reading better for Teacher Training?

Teacher Training graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £27,500 from University of Reading. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Reading lists 448 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 19 subject areas that University of Reading does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Work, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Business Information Systems, Dance and 11 more.

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

University of Reading teaches 37 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Building & Construction, History, Mathematics, Agriculture & Land Management, Chemistry, Philosophy, Information & Library Studies, Ancient Languages and 29 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 Reading448 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses