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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
London Metropolitan University

Islington · QS World #1001

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.

8/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

London Metropolitan

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). London Metropolitan University is ahead on established, international, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs London Metropolitan University at a glance

Cardiff University and London Metropolitan University both teach 47 subject areas, the largest being Law, Design & Fashion and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; London Metropolitan University offers 291 courses across 61 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £19,500 at London Metropolitan University: London Metropolitan University is about £11,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £20,000 at London Metropolitan University: London Metropolitan University is about £5,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 27 and London Metropolitan University in 0. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £40,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £26,000 from London Metropolitan University. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 11 and London Metropolitan 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
#1001
#201
THE World
#601
#34
Guardian UK
#100
1883
Established
1848
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
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

London Metropolitan University

86.3%
85.5%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£26,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
75.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
22.8%

International

International student share

362
291

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
15

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

London Metropolitan

59 countries · 22.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan18.8%
  • 🌐Nepal11.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.2%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka2.6%

Subjects

47 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

London Metropolitan University

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Building & Construction, Business Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Marketing, Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Biomedical Sciences, Economics, Music, Biomedical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Social Work, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Forensic Science, Human Resource Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Applied Computing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at London Metropolitan 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
London Metropolitan University
£19,500

London Metropolitan University is about £11,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
London Metropolitan University
£20,000

London Metropolitan University is about £5,950 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

London Metropolitan University

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    70%Satisfaction72%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    79%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction83%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction69%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    92%Satisfaction80%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    No dataSatisfaction61%

Showing the 12 largest of 27 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

London Metropolitan University

London Met Sanctuary Scholarship

£13,762

Deadline: Jun 2026

The Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate (PGR) Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate (PGR) Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

The Vice Chancellor's Postgraduate (PGR) Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Childcare Grant

85%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs London Metropolitan University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or London Metropolitan University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £19,500 at London Metropolitan University: London Metropolitan University is about £11,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £20,000 at London Metropolitan University: London Metropolitan University is about £5,950 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 London Metropolitan University?

Both universities teach 47 subject areas: Law, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Management, Mathematics, Sociology & Criminology, Chemistry, Politics & International Relations, Ancient Languages, Architecture, Journalism and 35 more.

Is Cardiff University or London Metropolitan University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £22,500 from London Metropolitan University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 90% at London Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or London Metropolitan University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and London Metropolitan University lists 291 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at London Metropolitan University?

Cardiff University teaches 39 subject areas that London Metropolitan University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General) and 31 more.

What can you study at London Metropolitan University but not at Cardiff University?

London Metropolitan University teaches 14 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Information Systems & Data Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art, Teacher Training, Drama & Theatre and 6 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
London Metropolitan University291 courses · 15 scholarshipsBrowse Courses