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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

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.

1/9

Cardiff Metropolitan

scored higher in 1 category

VS

8/9

Southampton

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 8 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on employment.

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Southampton at a glance

Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of Southampton both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Business & Management (General). Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £10,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 21 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff Metropolitan University is higher in 11 and University of Southampton in 10, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

—
QS World
#111
#1001
THE World
#129
—
Guardian UK
#16
1865
Established
1862
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 Southampton

84.5%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
35.1%

International

International student share

321
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

40 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Business Studies, Education Studies, Software Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Health & Social Care, Psychology (General), Management, Healthcare Science, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biological Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science, Applied Psychology, Business Information Systems, Fine Art, Games Design & Computer Animation, Architecture, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Personal & Professional Development.

Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £10,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff Metropolitan University
£17,600
University of Southampton
£31,200

Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,600 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 Southampton

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Business & Management (General)

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    80%Satisfaction80%

  • Marketing

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    80%Satisfaction88%

  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    86%Satisfaction89%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£39,500
    95%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Media & Film Studies

    No dataSalary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    No dataSalary (3 years)£28,500
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • English Literature

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    100%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    89%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 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 Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £10,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Cardiff Metropolitan University is about £13,600 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Teacher Training, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Marketing, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Computer Science, Media & Film Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Law and 28 more.

Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of Southampton better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £23,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £40,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 89% at Cardiff Metropolitan University and 89% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

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

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses.

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Work, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Nutrition & Dietetics, Dance, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Food Science and 4 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 51 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Civil Engineering, Archaeology, Chemical Engineering, History and 43 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses