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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 University

Cardiff · QS World #179

D
De Montfort University

Leicester · QS World #851

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.

7/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

De Montfort

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). De Montfort University is ahead on established, employment, international, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs De Montfort University at a glance

Cardiff University and De Montfort University both teach 50 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; De Montfort University offers 204 courses across 68 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,800 at De Montfort University: De Montfort University is about £13,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,100 at De Montfort University: De Montfort University is about £7,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 27 and De Montfort University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £39,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £26,500 from De Montfort University. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 12 and De Montfort University in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#851
#201
THE World
#601
#34
Guardian UK
#65
1883
Established
1870
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff University

De Montfort University

86.3%
85%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
82.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
31.8%

International

International student share

362
204

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
8

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

De Montfort

73 countries · 31.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India42.4%
  • 🇨🇳China14.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.4%
  • 🌐Nepal6.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.6%

Subjects

50 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

De Montfort University

Also taught at both: History, Sociology & Criminology, Architecture, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, General Engineering, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Creative Writing, Education Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Pharmacy, Computing & IT, Economics, Forensic Science, Human Resource Management, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Social Work, Applied Computing, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Medical Imaging, Adult Nursing, Building & Construction, Childhood & Youth Studies, Children's Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at De Montfort 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
De Montfort University
£16,800

De Montfort University is about £13,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
De Montfort University
£18,100

De Montfort University is about £7,850 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

De Montfort University

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    70%Satisfaction76%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    79%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction63%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    73%Satisfaction76%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    93%Satisfaction96%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction82%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    89%Satisfaction75%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

De Montfort University

Global Partnerships Scholarship

£8,500

Deadline: Jul 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Health and Life Sciences Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship 2026/27

20%

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Alumni Scholarship

20%

Deadline: N/A

Travel bursary

£200

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs De Montfort University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or De Montfort University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,800 at De Montfort University: De Montfort University is about £13,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,100 at De Montfort University: De Montfort University is about £7,850 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 De Montfort University?

Both universities teach 50 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Law, Management, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Geology & Earth Sciences, Journalism, Human Geography & Environment, Business & Management (General) and 38 more.

Is Cardiff University or De Montfort University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £27,500 from De Montfort University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 76% at De Montfort University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or De Montfort University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and De Montfort University lists 204 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at De Montfort University?

Cardiff University teaches 36 subject areas that De Montfort University does not, including Mathematics, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 28 more.

What can you study at De Montfort University but not at Cardiff University?

De Montfort University teaches 18 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Drama & Theatre, Social Policy & Public Policy, Aerospace Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Performing Arts (General), Business Information Systems, Sport & Exercise Sciences and 10 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
D
De Montfort University204 courses · 8 scholarshipsBrowse Courses