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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

G
Glasgow Caledonian University

Glasgow · QS World #1001

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Glasgow Caledonian

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, graduate salary, courses). Glasgow Caledonian University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international.

Cardiff University vs Glasgow Caledonian University at a glance

Cardiff University and Glasgow Caledonian University both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Glasgow Caledonian University offers 130 courses across 48 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £15,700 at Glasgow Caledonian University: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £15,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,950 at Glasgow Caledonian University: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £8,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 20 and Glasgow Caledonian University in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £40,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £24,000 from Glasgow Caledonian University. Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Glasgow Caledonian University is higher in 10 and Cardiff University in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#1001
#201
THE World
#801
#34
Guardian UK
#88
1883
Established
1993
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

Glasgow Caledonian University

86.3%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£33,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
88.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
22.7%

International

International student share

362
130

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
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

89 countries · 16% international

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

Glasgow Caledonian

45 countries · 22.7% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan39.5%
  • 🇮🇳India27.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria19.8%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada1.6%

Subjects

43 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

Glasgow Caledonian University

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Accounting, Computing & IT, General Engineering, Psychology (General), Optometry & Ophthalmics, Software Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Design & Fashion, Economics, Media & Film Studies, Medical Imaging, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Forensic Science, Marketing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Pharmacology, Technology & Logistics, Applied Computing, Applied Psychology, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Glasgow Caledonian 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
Glasgow Caledonian University
£15,700

Glasgow Caledonian University is about £15,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Glasgow Caledonian University
£17,950

Glasgow Caledonian University is about £8,000 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

Glasgow Caledonian University

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    80%Satisfaction82%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    70%Satisfaction67%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%SatisfactionNo data

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    79%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    73%Satisfaction82%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    81%SatisfactionNo data

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Optometry & Ophthalmics

    £39,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    91%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Glasgow Caledonian University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Glasgow Caledonian University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Glasgow Caledonian University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £15,700 at Glasgow Caledonian University: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £15,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,950 at Glasgow Caledonian University: Glasgow Caledonian University is about £8,000 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 Glasgow Caledonian University?

Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Law, Management, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Journalism, Politics & International Relations, Biological Sciences (General), Business Studies and 31 more.

Is Cardiff University or Glasgow Caledonian University better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £26,500 from Glasgow Caledonian University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff University and 82% at Glasgow Caledonian University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Glasgow Caledonian University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Glasgow Caledonian University lists 130 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Glasgow Caledonian University?

Cardiff University teaches 43 subject areas that Glasgow Caledonian University does not, including Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Architecture and 35 more.

What can you study at Glasgow Caledonian University but not at Cardiff University?

Glasgow Caledonian University teaches 5 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and Nutrition & Dietetics.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
G
Glasgow Caledonian University130 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses