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.
Cardiff · THE World #1001
Salford · QS World #1001
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 7 datapoints
We looked at 7 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
3/7
Cardiff Metropolitan
scored higher in 3 categories
4/7
Salford
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
University of Salford leads in 4 of 7 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on established, employment, courses.
Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Salford at a glance
Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Salford both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences and Design & Fashion. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £17,040 at University of Salford: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,040 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £17,710 at University of Salford, so the two cost about the same.
Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 15 and University of Salford in 7, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Architecture: £22,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £29,000 from University of Salford. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 12 and University of Salford in 12, with 1 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
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 Salford
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Salford
63 countries · 19.1% international
- 🇮🇳India34.8%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
- 🌐Kuwait3.7%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%
Subjects
35 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 Salford
Business & Management (General)
15 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
31 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
25 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
Design & Fashion
13 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
14 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
Marketing
19 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
Film Production & Cinematography
5 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
Business Studies
4 coursesTypical fee £17,600 (PG)
13 coursesTypical fee £17,040 (UG)
Computer Science
Sociology & Criminology
Media & Film Studies
Law
Psychology (General)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Social Work
Aerospace Engineering
Accounting
Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Architecture, Business Information Systems, Politics & International Relations, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Dance, English Literature, Journalism, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Fine Art, Games Design & Computer Animation, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Biomedical Engineering, Creative Writing, Human Resource Management.
Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University
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 Salford
- £17,040
Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,040 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
- £17,600
- University of Salford
- £17,710
About the same.
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 Salford
Business & Management (General)
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,50080%Satisfaction74%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£22,500Salary (3 years)£21,50087%Satisfaction96%Design & Fashion
£18,500Salary (3 years)£19,50086%Satisfaction90%Marketing
£23,000Salary (3 years)£21,50080%Satisfaction71%Film Production & Cinematography
£18,500Salary (3 years)£18,00098%Satisfaction88%Business Studies
£24,000Salary (3 years)£22,50080%Satisfaction99%Computer Science
£26,500Salary (3 years)£23,50083%Satisfaction76%Sociology & Criminology
£21,500Salary (3 years)£22,00087%Satisfaction80%Media & Film Studies
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,00084%Satisfaction91%Law
No dataSalary (3 years)£20,50080%Satisfaction81%Psychology (General)
£19,500Salary (3 years)£19,50077%Satisfaction79%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£23,000Salary (3 years)£25,00089%Satisfaction86%
Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveCardiff 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
University of Salford
Salford/International Nursing College Scholarships
£8,160
Deadline: N/A
Salford/EATL Data Science Scholarships
£7,100
Deadline: N/A
Global Gold Excellence Scholarship
£3,500
Deadline: N/A
Global Silver Excellence Scholarship
£3,000
Deadline: N/A
IFY Excellence Scholarship
£2,500
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Salford: common questions
Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Salford cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £17,040 at University of Salford: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £1,040 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £17,710 at University of Salford, so the two cost about the same. 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 Salford?
Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Film Production & Cinematography, Business Studies, Computer Science, Sociology & Criminology, Media & Film Studies, Law, Psychology (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 23 more.
Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Salford better for Business & Management (General)?
Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £21,500 from University of Salford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 74% at University of Salford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Salford offer more courses?
Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and University of Salford lists 305 courses.
What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at University of Salford?
Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 17 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Education Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics, Health & Social Care, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biological Sciences (General) and 9 more.
What can you study at University of Salford but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?
University of Salford teaches 37 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Drama & Theatre, Biomedical Sciences, Physics, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biochemistry, Civil Engineering and 29 more.
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