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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
Loughborough University

Loughborough · QS World #203

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.

4/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

7/11

Loughborough

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

Loughborough University leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, established.

Cardiff University vs Loughborough University at a glance

Cardiff University and Loughborough University both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Civil Engineering. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £29,750 at Loughborough University: Loughborough University is about £950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £29,500 at Loughborough University: Cardiff University is about £3,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Loughborough University is higher in 24 and Cardiff University in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £43,000 from Loughborough University. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Loughborough University is higher in 13 and Cardiff University in 4.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#203
#201
THE World
#301
#34
Guardian UK
#11
1883
Established
1909
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

Loughborough University

86.3%
87.6%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£41,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
84%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
18.4%

International

International student share

362
416

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
36

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

Loughborough

90 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China24.7%
  • 🇮🇳India13.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%

Subjects

48 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

Loughborough University

Also taught at both: Human Geography & Environment, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Economics, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Social Sciences (General), History, Accounting, Ancient Languages, Architecture, Planning & Housing, Building & Construction, English Literature, Clinical Specialities, Computing & IT, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Technology & Logistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Geography (General), Pharmacology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Loughborough 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
Loughborough University
£29,750

Loughborough University is about £950 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Loughborough University
£29,500

Cardiff University is about £3,550 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

Loughborough University

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    70%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    79%SatisfactionNo data

  • Politics & International Relations

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

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    73%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction93%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Loughborough University

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Care Leaver's Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Impact Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Inspiring Success Scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Loughborough University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Loughborough University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £29,750 at Loughborough University: Loughborough University is about £950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £29,500 at Loughborough University: Cardiff University is about £3,550 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 Loughborough University?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Management, Politics & International Relations, Design & Fashion, Physical Geography & Climate, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Law, Geology & Earth Sciences and 36 more.

Is Cardiff University or Loughborough University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £40,500 from Loughborough University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 86% at Loughborough University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Loughborough University offer more courses?

Loughborough University lists 416 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 38 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, Music, Philosophy, Software Engineering, Archaeology and 30 more.

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

Loughborough University teaches 15 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Materials Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Natural Sciences, Information & Library Studies, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Biology and 7 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
Loughborough University416 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses