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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

L
Leeds Beckett University

Leeds · QS World #1001

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.

7/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Leeds Beckett

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). Leeds Beckett University is ahead on established, employment, international.

Cardiff University vs Leeds Beckett University at a glance

Cardiff University and Leeds Beckett University both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Law, Civil Engineering and Management. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Leeds Beckett University offers 318 courses across 67 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,840 at Leeds Beckett University: Leeds Beckett University is about £13,860 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,440 at Leeds Beckett University: Leeds Beckett University is about £7,510 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 22 and Leeds Beckett University in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Management: £29,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £42,500 from Leeds Beckett University. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Leeds Beckett University is higher in 12 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
#1001
#201
THE World
#801
#34
Guardian UK
#70
1883
Established
1824
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

Leeds Beckett University

86.3%
85.8%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£29,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
85.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
19.1%

International

International student share

362
318

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

Leeds Beckett

65 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India48.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.6%
  • 🌐Nepal2.6%
  • 🇻🇳Vietnam2.6%

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

Leeds Beckett University

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Biological Sciences (General), Marketing, Physical Geography & Climate, Physics, Psychology (General), Accounting, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Economics, Education Studies, History, Planning & Housing, Social Work, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computing & IT, Media & Film Studies, English Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Nursing (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Public Relations.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Leeds Beckett 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
Leeds Beckett University
£16,840

Leeds Beckett University is about £13,860 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Leeds Beckett University
£18,440

Leeds Beckett University is about £7,510 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

Leeds Beckett University

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    80%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£42,500
    79%Satisfaction78%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    70%Satisfaction77%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction83%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction75%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,000
    93%Satisfaction81%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £26,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction87%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Leeds Beckett University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Leeds Beckett University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Leeds Beckett University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,840 at Leeds Beckett University: Leeds Beckett University is about £13,860 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,440 at Leeds Beckett University: Leeds Beckett University is about £7,510 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 Leeds Beckett University?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Law, Civil Engineering, Management, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Architecture, Business Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Journalism, Music and 39 more.

Is Cardiff University or Leeds Beckett University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £21,000 from Leeds Beckett University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 86% at Leeds Beckett University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Leeds Beckett University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Leeds Beckett University lists 318 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Leeds Beckett University?

Cardiff University teaches 35 subject areas that Leeds Beckett University does not, including Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, General Engineering and 27 more.

What can you study at Leeds Beckett University but not at Cardiff University?

Leeds Beckett University teaches 16 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Teacher Training, Social Policy & Public Policy, Nutrition & Dietetics, Performing Arts (General), Clinical & Health Psychology, Community & Specialist Nursing 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
L
Leeds Beckett University318 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses