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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
Kingston University

London · QS World #686

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.

8/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Kingston

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary). Kingston University is ahead on international, courses.

Cardiff University vs Kingston University at a glance

Cardiff University and Kingston University both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering and Chemistry. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Kingston University offers 390 courses across 67 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £18,500 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £12,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,900 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £7,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 18 and Kingston University in 7. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £40,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £25,500 from Kingston University. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 14 and Kingston University in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#686
#201
THE World
#801
#34
Guardian UK
#67
1883
Established
1899
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

Kingston University

86.3%
85.4%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£31,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
78.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
21.9%

International

International student share

362
390

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

Kingston

91 countries · 21.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India24.1%
  • 🇨🇳China23.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States3.2%

Subjects

51 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

Kingston University

Also taught at both: Childhood & Youth Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Sociology & Criminology, Applied Psychology, Business Studies, Music, Accounting, Biomedical Sciences, Midwifery, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Environmental Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Creative Writing, Education Studies, Forensic Science, General Engineering, Pharmacy, Social Work, Clinical Specialities, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Software Engineering, Geography (General), Nursing (General), Pharmacology, Human Resource Management, Technology & Logistics, Health & Social Care.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Kingston 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
Kingston University
£18,500

Kingston University is about £12,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Kingston University
£18,900

Kingston University is about £7,050 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

Kingston University

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    80%Satisfaction94%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    81%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    70%Satisfaction83%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    73%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    95%Satisfaction94%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    80%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction80%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Kingston University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Kingston University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Kingston University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £18,500 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £12,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,900 at Kingston University: Kingston University is about £7,050 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 Kingston University?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Law, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Building & Construction, Mechanical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Biological Sciences (General) and 39 more.

Is Cardiff University or Kingston University better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £26,500 from Kingston University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff University and 94% at Kingston University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Kingston University offer more courses?

Kingston University lists 390 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 35 subject areas that Kingston University does not, including Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Welsh Studies, Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 27 more.

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

Kingston University teaches 16 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Creative Arts (General), Information Systems & Data Science, Biochemistry, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Teacher Training and 8 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
Kingston University390 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses