Skip to main content

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

K
Keele University

Keele · 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.

7/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Keele

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs Keele University at a glance

Cardiff University and Keele University both teach 61 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Chemistry and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Keele University offers 426 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £18,200 at Keele University: Keele University is about £12,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,200 at Keele University: Keele University is about £7,750 a year cheaper.

Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 33 and Keele University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Medical Imaging: £32,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £23,000 from Keele University. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Keele University is higher in 21 and Cardiff University in 11, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#801
#201
THE World
#501
#34
Guardian UK
#73
1883
Established
1949
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

Keele University

86.3%
87.7%

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%
83.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
8.5%

International

International student share

362
426

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
1

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

Keele

56 countries · 8.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India14.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria12.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan9.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong7.8%
  • 🇨🇳China4.7%

Subjects

61 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

Keele University

Also taught at both: Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Economics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Geography & Environment, Pharmacy, Business Studies, Environmental Sciences, Social Sciences (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Philosophy, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Physical Geography & Climate, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, History, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Education Studies, General Engineering, Geography (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Marketing, Pharmacology, English Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medical Imaging, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Medicine, Mental Health Nursing, Applied Computing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Children's Nursing, Human Resource Management, Midwifery, Technology & Logistics, Biotechnology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Keele 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
Keele University
£18,200

Keele University is about £12,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Keele University
£18,200

Keele University is about £7,750 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

Keele University

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    70%Satisfaction76%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction93%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    No dataSatisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Forensic Science

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction97%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Keele University

Postgraduate Global Scholarship (international) 2026

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Keele University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Keele University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £18,200 at Keele University: Keele University is about £12,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,200 at Keele University: Keele University is about £7,750 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 Keele University?

Both universities teach 61 subject areas: Computer Science, Chemistry, Law, Civil Engineering, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Psychology (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Management and 49 more.

Is Cardiff University or Keele University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £26,500 from Keele University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 76% at Keele University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Keele University offer more courses?

Keele University lists 426 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Keele University?

Cardiff University teaches 25 subject areas that Keele University does not, including Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Computing & IT, Planning & Housing and 17 more.

What can you study at Keele University but not at Cardiff University?

Keele University teaches 18 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Biochemistry, Animal Science, Chemical Engineering, Ecology & Conservation, Biology, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Games Design & Computer Animation 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
K
Keele University426 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses