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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

N
Newcastle University

Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #149

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.

2/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Newcastle

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

Newcastle University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

Cardiff University vs Newcastle University at a glance

Cardiff University and Newcastle University both teach 69 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Newcastle University offers 502 courses across 99 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £25,750 at Newcastle University: Newcastle University is about £4,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £30,700 at Newcastle University: Cardiff University is about £4,750 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Newcastle University is higher in 18 and Cardiff University in 11, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £28,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £38,000 from Newcastle University. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 17 and Newcastle University in 7, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#149
#201
THE World
#144
#34
Guardian UK
#23
1883
Established
1834
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
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

Newcastle University

86.3%
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£38,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
81.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
22.1%

International

International student share

362
502

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
4

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

Newcastle

91 countries · 22.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China43.8%
  • 🇮🇳India8.5%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.3%
  • 🌐Cyprus (Non-European Union)3.2%

Subjects

69 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

Newcastle University

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Architecture, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Finance & Actuarial Science, Linguistics, Media & Film Studies, Economics, Journalism, Psychology (General), Welsh Studies, Business & Management (General), General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History, Music, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Accounting, Ancient Languages, Archaeology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Dentistry, English Literature, Philosophy, Biomedical Engineering, Computing & IT, Environmental Sciences, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Pharmacy, Planning & Housing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Statistics, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, English Studies, Geography (General), Marketing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Asian Languages & Studies, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Education Studies, Medicine, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Public Relations, Technology & Logistics, Theology & Religious Studies, Applied Psychology, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Manufacturing & Production Engineering.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Newcastle 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
Newcastle University
£25,750

Newcastle University is about £4,950 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Newcastle University
£30,700

Cardiff University is about £4,750 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

Newcastle University

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    80%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    70%Satisfaction70%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    84%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    92%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    73%Satisfaction73%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Newcastle University

Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Newcastle University Sanctuary Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

St Nicholas' Educational Trust Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Newcastle University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Newcastle University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £25,750 at Newcastle University: Newcastle University is about £4,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £30,700 at Newcastle University: Cardiff University is about £4,750 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 Newcastle University?

Both universities teach 69 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Law, Physics, Human Geography & Environment, Chemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Specialities, Biological Sciences (General) and 57 more.

Is Cardiff University or Newcastle University better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £30,000 from Newcastle University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff University and 88% at Newcastle University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Newcastle University offer more courses?

Newcastle University lists 502 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 17 subject areas that Newcastle University does not, including Software Engineering, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Toxicology, English Language, Forensic Science, Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work and 9 more.

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

Newcastle University teaches 30 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Marine Engineering & Technology, Chemical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Community & Specialist Nursing, Information & Library Studies, French, Agriculture & Land Management and 22 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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Newcastle University502 courses · 4 scholarshipsBrowse Courses