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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
Goldsmiths, University of London

London · QS World #701

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

Goldsmiths

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). Goldsmiths, University of London is ahead on employment, international, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs Goldsmiths, University of London at a glance

Cardiff University and Goldsmiths, University of London both teach 28 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Media & Film Studies and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Goldsmiths, University of London offers 291 courses across 39 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £22,000 at Goldsmiths, University of London: Goldsmiths, University of London is about £8,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £22,000 at Goldsmiths, University of London: Goldsmiths, University of London is about £3,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 5 and Goldsmiths, University of London in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £25,000 from Goldsmiths, University of London. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 6 and Goldsmiths, University of London in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#701
#201
THE World
#501
#34
Guardian UK
#84
1883
Established
1891
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Bronze

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff University

Goldsmiths, University of London

86.3%
85.4%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£29,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
83%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
40.3%

International

International student share

362
291

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

Goldsmiths

59 countries · 40.3% international

  • 🇨🇳China54.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🌐Korea (South)4.7%
  • 🇮🇳India4.4%
  • 🌐Taiwan2.2%

Subjects

28 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

Goldsmiths, University of London

Also taught at both: Education Studies, English Studies, Marketing, Ancient Languages, Architecture, Design & Fashion, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business & Management (General), Creative Writing, Applied Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Theology & Religious Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies.

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
Goldsmiths, University of London
£22,000

Goldsmiths, University of London is about £8,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Goldsmiths, University of London
£22,000

Goldsmiths, University of London is about £3,950 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

Goldsmiths, University of London

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    70%Satisfaction81%
  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    No dataSatisfaction83%
  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    81%Satisfaction96%
  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
    79%Satisfaction73%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction87%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction74%
  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction79%
  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction85%
  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    80%Satisfaction87%
  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction93%
  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction98%
  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    91%Satisfaction77%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Goldsmiths, University of London

ESRC/SENSS Doctoral Studentships

£22,780

Deadline: N/A

Migrant Futures Doctoral Studentships

£22,780

Deadline: N/A

Academics at Risk Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: N/A

Rob Stringer Scholarship

£12,000

Deadline: N/A

Generation Delta Studentships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Goldsmiths, University of London: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Goldsmiths, University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £22,000 at Goldsmiths, University of London: Goldsmiths, University of London is about £8,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £22,000 at Goldsmiths, University of London: Goldsmiths, University of London is about £3,950 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 Goldsmiths, University of London?

Both universities teach 28 subject areas: Computer Science, Media & Film Studies, Law, Management, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Psychology (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Mathematics, Music, Economics, Social Work and 16 more.

Is Cardiff University or Goldsmiths, University of London better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £31,500 from Goldsmiths, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 81% at Goldsmiths, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Goldsmiths, University of London offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Goldsmiths, University of London lists 291 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Goldsmiths, University of London?

Cardiff University teaches 58 subject areas that Goldsmiths, University of London does not, including Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Physical Geography & Climate and 50 more.

What can you study at Goldsmiths, University of London but not at Cardiff University?

Goldsmiths, University of London teaches 11 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Anthropology, History of Art & Design, Personal & Professional Development, Fine Art, Drama & Theatre, Games Design & Computer Animation, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Clinical & Health Psychology and 3 more.

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