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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.

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Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

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Coventry University

Coventry · QS World #581

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

Coventry

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, graduate salary). Coventry University is ahead on established, satisfaction, international, courses, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs Coventry University at a glance

Cardiff University and Coventry University both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Law, Civil Engineering and Finance & Actuarial Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Coventry University offers 468 courses across 81 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,600 at Coventry University: Coventry University is about £13,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £19,500 at Coventry University: Coventry University is about £6,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 26 and Coventry University in 5, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £40,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £27,500 from Coventry University. Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Coventry University is higher in 21 and Cardiff University in 8, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#581
#201
THE World
#601
#34
Guardian UK
#40
1883
Established
1843
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Cardiff University

Coventry University

86.3%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£31,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
81.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
45.1%

International

International student share

362
468

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
6

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

89 countries · 16% international

  • 🇨🇳China22.8%
  • 🇮🇳India14.5%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia7.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
VS

Coventry

81 countries · 45.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India55.6%
  • 🌐Nepal12.6%
  • 🇨🇳China6.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.5%

Subjects

63 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 University

Coventry University

Also taught at both: Chemistry, Biological Sciences (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Journalism, Applied Psychology, Software Engineering, Architecture, Economics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Building & Construction, Psychology (General), English Literature, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Physical Geography & Climate, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Clinical Specialities, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Forensic Science, History, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Public Health & Epidemiology, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health & Social Care, Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resource Management, Pharmacology, Social Work, Technology & Logistics, Children's Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Language, English Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Statistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Midwifery.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Coventry University

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 University
£30,700
Coventry University
£17,600

Coventry University is about £13,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Coventry University
£19,500

Coventry University is about £6,450 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 University

Coventry University

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction92%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction88%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    70%Satisfaction85%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    73%Satisfaction91%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    92%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Coventry University

AZIZ Foundation Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

EU Support Bursary

100%

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor Undergraduate Scholarship 2025/26

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor Postgraduate Scholarship 2025/26

£2,500

Deadline: N/A

Coventry University Group Scholarship

£2,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Coventry University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Coventry University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,600 at Coventry University: Coventry University is about £13,100 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £19,500 at Coventry University: Coventry University is about £6,450 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 University and Coventry University?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Law, Civil Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Management, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Business Studies, Marketing, Accounting and 51 more.

Is Cardiff University or Coventry University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £21,000 from Coventry University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 92% at Coventry University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Coventry University offer more courses?

Coventry University lists 468 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Coventry University?

Cardiff University teaches 23 subject areas that Coventry University does not, including Welsh Studies, Physics, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Archaeology and 15 more.

What can you study at Coventry University but not at Cardiff University?

Coventry University teaches 18 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Business Information Systems, Chemical Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy and 10 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

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Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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Coventry University468 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses