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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

K
King's College London, University of London

London · QS World #37

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.

2/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

King's College London

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

King's College London, University of London leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

Cardiff University vs King's College London, University of London at a glance

Cardiff University and King's College London, University of London both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Mathematics. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; King's College London, University of London offers 373 courses across 80 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £32,100 at King's College London, University of London: Cardiff University is about £1,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £21,100 at King's College London, University of London: King's College London, University of London is about £4,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, King's College London, University of London is higher in 26 and Cardiff University in 1. The widest gap is in Law: £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £42,000 from King's College London, University of London. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, King's College London, University of London is higher in 13 and Cardiff University in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#37
#201
THE World
#38
#34
Guardian UK
#26
1883
Established
1829
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Silver

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff University

King's College London, University of London

86.3%
85.9%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£43,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
81.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
38.4%

International

International student share

362
373

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
10

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

King's College London

124 countries · 38.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China36.6%
  • 🇮🇳India7.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.7%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore3.2%

Subjects

59 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

King's College London, University of London

Also taught at both: History, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Sciences, Geology & Earth Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Biomedical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Literature, General Engineering, Nursing (General), Specialist Clinical Nursing, Accounting, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Clinical Specialities, English Studies, Software Engineering, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Forensic Science, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Pharmacology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Toxicology, Adult Nursing, English Language, Statistics, Applied Psychology, Asian Languages & Studies, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Environmental Sciences, Linguistics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Midwifery.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at King's College London, University of London

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
King's College London, University of London
£32,100

Cardiff University is about £1,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
King's College London, University of London
£21,100

King's College London, University of London is about £4,850 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

King's College London, University of London

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    81%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction82%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£44,500
    70%Satisfaction75%

  • Dentistry

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£47,500
    No dataSatisfaction67%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    79%Satisfaction86%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£37,000
    80%Satisfaction86%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    82%Satisfaction92%

  • Medicine

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£48,000
    88%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

King's College London, University of London

Alexandros Petersen Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Organ Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

BFI Collaborative Doctoral Award

See details

Deadline: N/A

CMR Fellowship Programme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs King's College London, University of London: common questions

Is Cardiff University or King's College London, University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £32,100 at King's College London, University of London: Cardiff University is about £1,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £21,100 at King's College London, University of London: King's College London, University of London is about £4,850 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 King's College London, University of London?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Dentistry, Management, Physics, Economics, Ancient Languages, Human Geography & Environment, Medicine and 47 more.

Is Cardiff University or King's College London, University of London better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £42,000 from King's College London, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 91% at King's College London, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or King's College London, University of London offer more courses?

King's College London, University of London lists 373 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at King's College London, University of London?

Cardiff University teaches 27 subject areas that King's College London, University of London does not, including Civil Engineering, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Business Studies and 19 more.

What can you study at King's College London, University of London but not at Cardiff University?

King's College London, University of London teaches 21 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Clinical & Health Psychology, Information Systems & Data Science, Anatomy & Pathology, Information & Library Studies, International Development, Social Policy & Public Policy, Classical Studies, Natural Sciences and 13 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
King's College London, University of London373 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses