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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 South Bank University

London · QS World #901

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/9

Cardiff

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

0/9

London South Bank

scored higher in 0 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 9 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). London South Bank University does not lead in any category where both have data.

Cardiff University vs London South Bank University at a glance

Cardiff University and London South Bank University both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Building & Construction. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; London South Bank University offers 240 courses across 55 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,400 at London South Bank University: London South Bank University is about £13,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,900 at London South Bank University: London South Bank University is about £7,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 17 and London South Bank University in 7. The widest gap is in Mental Health Nursing: £29,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £40,500 from London South Bank University. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 12 and London South Bank University in 11.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#901
#201
THE World
#601
#34
Guardian UK
#78
1883
Established
1892
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 South Bank University

86.3%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£33,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
15.6%

International

International student share

362
240

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

London South Bank

60 countries · 15.6% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.1%
  • 🇮🇳India19.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh18.1%
  • 🌐Nepal4.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.3%

Subjects

44 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 South Bank University

Also taught at both: Social Sciences (General), Economics, Mental Health Nursing, Planning & Housing, Sociology & Criminology, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Business & Management (General), Clinical Specialities, Computing & IT, Finance & Actuarial Science, Medical Imaging, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Social Work, Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Dentistry, Education Studies, Forensic Science, Midwifery, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Health & Social Care, Media & Film Studies, Nursing (General), Applied Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at London South Bank 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 South Bank University
£17,400

London South Bank University is about £13,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
London South Bank University
£18,900

London South Bank 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

London South Bank University

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    70%Satisfaction90%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    73%Satisfaction89%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction98%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    83%Satisfaction66%

  • Children's Nursing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    97%Satisfaction87%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    80%Satisfaction91%

  • Mental Health Nursing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    97%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

London South Bank University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs London South Bank University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or London South Bank University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,400 at London South Bank University: London South Bank University is about £13,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,900 at London South Bank University: London South Bank 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 London South Bank University?

Both universities teach 44 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Building & Construction, Law, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Management, Architecture, Chemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, General Engineering, Children's Nursing and 32 more.

Is Cardiff University or London South Bank University better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £29,000 from London South Bank University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff University and 83% at London South Bank University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or London South Bank University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and London South Bank University lists 240 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at London South Bank University?

Cardiff University teaches 42 subject areas that London South Bank University does not, including Mathematics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Politics & International Relations, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physical Geography & Climate and 34 more.

What can you study at London South Bank University but not at Cardiff University?

London South Bank University teaches 11 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Chemical Engineering, Clinical & Health Psychology, Food Production & Technology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Creative Arts (General), Learning Disabilities Nursing, Applied & General Science and 3 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 South Bank University240 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses