Skip to main content

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

M
Manchester Metropolitan University

Manchester · QS World #600

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.

7/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Manchester Metropolitan

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs Manchester Metropolitan University at a glance

Cardiff University and Manchester Metropolitan University both teach 57 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Law and Chemistry. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Manchester Metropolitan University offers 393 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £9,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £4,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 28 and Manchester Metropolitan University in 1, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Mechanical Engineering: £33,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £24,500 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Manchester Metropolitan University is higher in 13 and Cardiff University in 11, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#600
#201
THE World
#601
#34
Guardian UK
#62
1883
Established
1970
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

Manchester Metropolitan University

86.3%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
84.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
9.3%

International

International student share

362
393

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
3

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

Manchester Metropolitan

90 countries · 9.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India21.7%
  • 🇨🇳China10.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.1%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7%
  • 🌐Kuwait5.8%

Subjects

57 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

Manchester Metropolitan University

Also taught at both: Media & Film Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), History, Philosophy, Social Sciences (General), Accounting, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Finance & Actuarial Science, Music, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Biomedical Sciences, Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Economics, General Engineering, Linguistics, Marketing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Human Resource Management, Adult Nursing, Creative Writing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Language, Environmental Sciences, Geography (General), Mental Health Nursing, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Building & Construction, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Manchester 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
Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,500

Manchester Metropolitan University is about £9,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Manchester Metropolitan University
£21,000

Manchester Metropolitan University is about £4,950 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

Manchester Metropolitan University

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    81%Satisfaction92%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    70%Satisfaction84%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    79%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    83%Satisfaction76%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    73%Satisfaction87%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    No dataSatisfaction91%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Manchester Metropolitan University

Allan and Nesta Ferguson Charitable Trust Scholarships

100%

Deadline: May 2026

Doctoral Landscape Awards

100%

Deadline: N/A

Fulbright Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Manchester Metropolitan University: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £21,500 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £9,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £21,000 at Manchester Metropolitan University: Manchester Metropolitan University is about £4,950 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 Manchester Metropolitan University?

Both universities teach 57 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Law, Chemistry, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Business Studies, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Management, Sociology & Criminology, English Studies, Psychology (General) and 45 more.

Is Cardiff University or Manchester Metropolitan University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £19,500 from Manchester Metropolitan University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 92% at Manchester Metropolitan University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Manchester Metropolitan University offer more courses?

Manchester Metropolitan University lists 393 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 29 subject areas that Manchester Metropolitan University does not, including Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Clinical Specialities, English Literature, Computing & IT and 21 more.

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

Manchester Metropolitan University teaches 21 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biology, Games Design & Computer Animation, Anatomy & Pathology, French, Spanish & Portuguese and 13 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
M
Manchester Metropolitan University393 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses