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
Paisley · Guardian UK #115
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.
4/8
Cardiff Metropolitan
scored higher in 4 categories
4/8
West of Scotland
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of the West of Scotland are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Cardiff Metropolitan University is ahead on established, employment, courses, scholarship; University of the West of Scotland on ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary.
Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance
Cardiff Metropolitan University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences and Hospitality, Events & Tourism. Cardiff Metropolitan University offers 321 courses across 52 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,320 a year cheaper.
Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 8 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 7. The widest gap is in Teacher Training: £21,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, against £32,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 9 and Cardiff Metropolitan University in 4.
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 the West of Scotland
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%
West of Scotland
33 countries · 30.3% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
- 🌐Nepal20.4%
- 🇮🇳India19.3%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%
Subjects
26 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 the West of Scotland
Teacher Training
67 coursesTypical fee £14,000 (UG)
9 coursesTypical fee £15,250 (UG)
Sport & Exercise Sciences
25 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (UG)
Hospitality, Events & Tourism
21 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Marketing
19 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £16,280 (PG)
Business & Management (General)
15 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Design & Fashion
13 coursesTypical fee £16,000 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £15,500 (UG)
Business Studies
Accounting
Business Information Systems
Social Work
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Law
Childhood & Youth Studies
Sociology & Criminology
Applied Psychology
Also taught at both: Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Media & Film Studies, Computing & IT, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Aerospace Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Healthcare Science, Journalism.
Only at Cardiff Metropolitan University
Only at University of the West of Scotland
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 the West of Scotland
- £15,500
University of the West of Scotland is about £500 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Cardiff Metropolitan University
- £17,600
- University of the West of Scotland
- £16,280
University of the West of Scotland is about £1,320 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 the West of Scotland
Teacher Training
£21,000Salary (3 years)£32,000No dataSatisfaction94%Sport & Exercise Sciences
£22,500Salary (3 years)£21,00087%Satisfaction91%Hospitality, Events & Tourism
£22,500Salary (3 years)£19,00084%Satisfaction93%Design & Fashion
£18,500Salary (3 years)£17,50086%Satisfaction91%Business Studies
£24,000Salary (3 years)£21,00080%Satisfaction75%Accounting
£23,500Salary (3 years)£21,00089%Satisfaction86%Business Information Systems
£26,500Salary (3 years)£22,00070%Satisfaction85%Social Work
£29,500Salary (3 years)£30,50081%Satisfaction88%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£23,000Salary (3 years)£26,50089%Satisfaction80%Childhood & Youth Studies
£21,500Salary (3 years)£24,50086%Satisfaction92%Sociology & Criminology
£21,500Salary (3 years)£23,00087%SatisfactionNo dataEducation Studies
£21,000Salary (3 years)No data93%Satisfaction96%
Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 the West of Scotland
View all scholarships →FAQ
Cardiff Metropolitan University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions
Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £16,000 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £17,600 a year at Cardiff Metropolitan University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £1,320 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 the West of Scotland?
Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marketing, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Accounting, Business Information Systems, Social Work, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law and 14 more.
Is Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of the West of Scotland better for Teacher Training?
Teacher Training graduates earn a median £21,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff Metropolitan University, and £32,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Cardiff Metropolitan University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?
Cardiff Metropolitan University lists 321 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.
What can you study at Cardiff Metropolitan University but not at University of the West of Scotland?
Cardiff Metropolitan University teaches 26 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Computer Science, Economics, Film Production & Cinematography, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nutrition & Dietetics, Software Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), English Literature and 18 more.
What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Cardiff Metropolitan University?
University of the West of Scotland teaches 23 subject areas that Cardiff Metropolitan University does not, including Applied Computing, Chemistry, General Engineering, Physics, Social Sciences (General), Community & Specialist Nursing, Music, Zoology & Animal Biology and 15 more.
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