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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 the West of Scotland

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

VS

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.

—
QS World
—
#1001
THE World
#601
—
Guardian UK
#115
1865
Established
1897
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 the West of Scotland

84.5%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£28,200
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

83.6%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16.6%
30.3%

International

International student share

321
119

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

5
0

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

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

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.

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)£32,000
    No dataSatisfaction94%
  • Sport & Exercise Sciences

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction91%
  • Hospitality, Events & Tourism

    £22,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    84%Satisfaction93%
  • Design & Fashion

    £18,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    86%Satisfaction91%
  • Business Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    80%Satisfaction75%
  • Accounting

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction86%
  • Business Information Systems

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    70%Satisfaction85%
  • Social Work

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction88%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction80%
  • Childhood & Youth Studies

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    86%Satisfaction92%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £21,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data
  • Education Studies

    £21,000Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction96%

Showing the 12 largest of 16 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 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.

Ready to explore courses?

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