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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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.

3/8

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

5/8

South Wales

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

University of South Wales leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (satisfaction, employment, international, courses, scholarship). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on ranking, established, graduate salary.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of South Wales at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of South Wales both teach 35 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Business & Management (General). Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £16,200 at University of South Wales, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £17,900 at University of South Wales: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £300 a year cheaper.

Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 17 and University of South Wales in 7, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Electronic & Electrical Engineering: £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £30,000 from University of South Wales. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 17 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 7, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#1201
#1001
THE World
#1201
—
Guardian UK
#83
1865
Established
1913
No
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

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 South Wales

84.5%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
22%

International

International student share

321
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Computer Science, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Sociology & Criminology, Health & Social Care, Social Work, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Information Systems & Data Science, Management, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Politics & International Relations, Public Health & Epidemiology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Fine Art, Human Resource Management, Journalism, Social Policy & Public Policy.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

About the same.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
University of South Wales
£17,900

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £300 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 South Wales

  • Teacher Training

    £21,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    No dataSatisfaction97%

  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    80%Satisfaction94%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    80%Satisfaction94%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £19,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    77%Satisfaction90%

  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£20,000
    80%Satisfaction96%

  • Film Production & Cinematography

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    98%Satisfaction87%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Software Engineering

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    63%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 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 South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £16,200 at University of South Wales, so the two cost about the same. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £17,900 at University of South Wales: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £300 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 35 subject areas: Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Business & Management (General), Healthcare Science, Marketing, Design & Fashion, Psychology (General), Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Law, Film Production & Cinematography, Aerospace Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 23 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of South Wales better for Teacher Training?

Teacher Training graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £25,000 from University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of South Wales offer more courses?

University of South Wales lists 331 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 17 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics, Biological Sciences (General), English Literature, Applied Psychology, Business Information Systems, Dance and 9 more.

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

University of South Wales teaches 28 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Nursing (General), Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Civil Engineering, Forensic Science, Music, Community & Specialist Nursing, Mechanical Engineering and 20 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 South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses