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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

H
Harper Adams University

Newport · QS World #1401

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/9

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Harper Adams

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). Harper Adams University is ahead on employment, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs Harper Adams University at a glance

Cardiff University and Harper Adams University both teach 11 subject areas, the largest being Law, Management and Politics & International Relations. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Harper Adams University offers 103 courses across 21 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,500 at Harper Adams University: Harper Adams University is about £14,200 a year cheaper.

Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 0 and Harper Adams University in 0, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Management: £29,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £29,500 from Harper Adams University. Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 1 and Harper Adams University in 1.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#1401
#201
THE World
—
#34
Guardian UK
—
1883
Established
1901
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

Harper Adams University

86.3%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£33,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
92.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
2.6%

International

International student share

362
103

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
4

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

Harper Adams

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland37%
  • 🌐Zimbabwe7.4%
  • 🇩🇰Denmark3.7%
  • 🇫🇷France3.7%
  • 🇬🇷Greece3.7%

Subjects

11 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

Harper Adams 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
Harper Adams University
£16,500

Harper Adams University is about £14,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Harper Adams University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Harper Adams University yet.

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

Harper Adams University

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    79%Satisfaction77%
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    73%Satisfaction90%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Harper Adams University

The Cambidge Foundation CIO Entry Scholarship 2026-27

£6,000

Deadline: Aug 2026

Wakeham Petary Entry Scholarship 2026-27

£5,000

Deadline: Aug 2026

Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship 2026-27

£3,500

Deadline: Aug 2026

Wakeham Petary Open Entry Scholarship 2026-27

£2,500

Deadline: Aug 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Harper Adams University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Harper Adams University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,500 at Harper Adams University: Harper Adams University is about £14,200 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 Harper Adams University?

Both universities teach 11 subject areas: Law, Management, Politics & International Relations, Mechanical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Business & Management (General), Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning and Environmental Sciences.

Is Cardiff University or Harper Adams University better for Management?

Management graduates earn a median £29,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £29,500 from Harper Adams University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 79% at Cardiff University and 77% at Harper Adams University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Harper Adams University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Harper Adams University lists 103 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Harper Adams University?

Cardiff University teaches 75 subject areas that Harper Adams University does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General) and 67 more.

What can you study at Harper Adams University but not at Cardiff University?

Harper Adams University teaches 10 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Agriculture & Land Management, Veterinary Sciences & Nursing, Ecology & Conservation, Agricultural Sciences, Animal Science, Zoology & Animal Biology, Food Science, Business Information Systems and 2 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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