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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 Sheffield

Sheffield · QS World #82

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.

4/9

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

Sheffield

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Sheffield leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on established, employment, courses, scholarship.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Sheffield at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Sheffield both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Marketing and Politics & International Relations. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of Sheffield offers 307 courses across 77 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £9,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,760 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Sheffield is higher in 16 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £38,500 from University of Sheffield. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sheffield is higher in 12 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#82
#1001
THE World
#108
—
Guardian UK
#19
1865
Established
1905
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 Sheffield

84.5%
89.6%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£36,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
81.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
28.1%

International

International student share

321
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
2

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

Sheffield

100 countries · 28.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China45.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.5%

Subjects

30 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 Sheffield

Also taught at both: Public Health & Epidemiology, Aerospace Engineering, Architecture, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Engineering, Business Studies, English Literature, Biological Sciences (General), Developmental & Educational Psychology, Journalism, Applied Psychology, Management, Human Resource Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at University of Sheffield

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 Sheffield
£25,830

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £9,830 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
University of Sheffield
£31,360

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,760 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 Sheffield

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction80%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    83%Satisfaction95%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£25,500
    80%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Economics

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Manufacturing & Production Engineering

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • Software Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    63%Satisfaction90%

  • Information Systems & Data Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    71%Satisfaction85%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    77%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 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 Sheffield

International Postgraduate Scholarship 2026

£3,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Access to Sheffield Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Sheffield: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £25,830 at University of Sheffield: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £9,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £31,360 at University of Sheffield: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,760 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 Sheffield?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Marketing, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Software Engineering and 18 more.

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

Business & Management (General) graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £30,500 from University of Sheffield. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 80% at University of Sheffield. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sheffield lists 307 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 22 subject areas that University of Sheffield does not, including Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Design & Fashion, Social Work, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care and 14 more.

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

University of Sheffield teaches 47 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Civil Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, English Studies, General Engineering, History, Music, Chemical Engineering and 39 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 Sheffield307 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses