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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

E
Edinburgh Napier University

Edinburgh · QS World #801

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.

8/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Edinburgh Napier

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). Edinburgh Napier University is ahead on employment, international, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs Edinburgh Napier University at a glance

Cardiff University and Edinburgh Napier University both teach 40 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Management and Civil Engineering. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Edinburgh Napier University offers 199 courses across 53 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £20,310 at Edinburgh Napier University: Edinburgh Napier University is about £10,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £20,540 at Edinburgh Napier University: Edinburgh Napier University is about £5,410 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 20 and Edinburgh Napier University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £25,500 from Edinburgh Napier University. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 9 and Edinburgh Napier University in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#801
#201
THE World
#601
#34
Guardian UK
#57
1883
Established
1964
Yes
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 University

Edinburgh Napier University

86.3%
84.3%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
86.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
27.5%

International

International student share

362
199

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
29

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

Edinburgh Napier

70 countries · 27.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India30.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.5%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria13.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.3%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4.2%

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 University

Edinburgh Napier University

Also taught at both: Film Production & Cinematography, Music, Sociology & Criminology, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Human Resource Management, Media & Film Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Creative Writing, English Studies, Midwifery, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Children's Nursing, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Public Relations.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Edinburgh Napier 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
Edinburgh Napier University
£20,310

Edinburgh Napier University is about £10,390 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Edinburgh Napier University
£20,540

Edinburgh Napier University is about £5,410 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

Edinburgh Napier University

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    70%Satisfaction84%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    79%Satisfaction76%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    80%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    73%Satisfaction85%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    83%Satisfaction94%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction99%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction86%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 21 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Edinburgh Napier University

OAS Craiglockhart Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

WSP and Dodyk Scholarship

£16,875

Deadline: N/A

Hong Kong Scholarship Trust

£16,000

Deadline: Apr 2027

Carnegie Masters Grant

£10,000

Deadline: Jul 2026

Data and AI Scholarships with The Data Lab

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Edinburgh Napier University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Edinburgh Napier University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £20,310 at Edinburgh Napier University: Edinburgh Napier University is about £10,390 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £20,540 at Edinburgh Napier University: Edinburgh Napier University is about £5,410 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 Edinburgh Napier University?

Both universities teach 40 subject areas: Computer Science, Management, Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), Law, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Journalism, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Accounting, Biological Sciences (General) and 28 more.

Is Cardiff University or Edinburgh Napier University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £25,500 from Edinburgh Napier University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 84% at Edinburgh Napier University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Edinburgh Napier University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Edinburgh Napier University lists 199 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Edinburgh Napier University?

Cardiff University teaches 46 subject areas that Edinburgh Napier University does not, including Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Politics & International Relations, Welsh Studies, Physics, Physical Geography & Climate and 38 more.

What can you study at Edinburgh Napier University but not at Cardiff University?

Edinburgh Napier University teaches 13 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Drama & Theatre, Ecology & Conservation, Information Systems & Data Science, Games Design & Computer Animation, Chemical Engineering and 5 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
E
Edinburgh Napier University199 courses · 29 scholarshipsBrowse Courses