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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.

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Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

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Northumbria University, Newcastle

Newcastle upon Tyne · QS World #528

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

Northumbria

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs Northumbria University, Newcastle at a glance

Cardiff University and Northumbria University, Newcastle both teach 55 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Business Studies and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Northumbria University, Newcastle offers 305 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £19,850 at Northumbria University, Newcastle: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £10,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £19,850 at Northumbria University, Newcastle: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 26 and Northumbria University, Newcastle in 3. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £21,000 from Northumbria University, Newcastle. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Northumbria University, Newcastle is higher in 16 and Cardiff University in 12.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#528
#201
THE World
#401
#34
Guardian UK
#53
1883
Established
1969
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

Northumbria University, Newcastle

86.3%
83.5%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£31,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
86.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
24.5%

International

International student share

362
305

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
7

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

Northumbria

85 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India35.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.3%
  • 🌐Kuwait4%
  • 🇨🇳China3.8%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.8%

Subjects

55 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

Northumbria University, Newcastle

Also taught at both: Architecture, Business & Management (General), History, Social Work, Psychology (General), Accounting, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Building & Construction, Economics, Media & Film Studies, General Engineering, Marketing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Music, Computing & IT, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Studies, Forensic Science, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, English Language, Environmental Sciences, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Children's Nursing, Education Studies, Human Resource Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Linguistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Nursing (General), Public Health & Epidemiology, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Northumbria University, Newcastle

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
Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £10,850 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Northumbria University, Newcastle
£19,850

Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,100 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

Northumbria University, Newcastle

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    70%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%Satisfaction73%

  • Civil Engineering

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

  • Mathematics

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

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • English Literature

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction78%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    73%Satisfaction94%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    82%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Northumbria University, Newcastle

2025/26 PGT Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

2025/26 UG Sanctuary Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Castle Peak Postgraduate Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

GEMS Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Horiba Foundation UK Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Northumbria University, Newcastle: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Northumbria University, Newcastle cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £19,850 at Northumbria University, Newcastle: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £10,850 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £19,850 at Northumbria University, Newcastle: Northumbria University, Newcastle is about £6,100 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 Northumbria University, Newcastle?

Both universities teach 55 subject areas: Computer Science, Business Studies, Law, Civil Engineering, Design & Fashion, Mathematics, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Sociology & Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate and 43 more.

Is Cardiff University or Northumbria University, Newcastle better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £25,500 from Northumbria University, Newcastle. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 87% at Northumbria University, Newcastle. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Northumbria University, Newcastle offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Northumbria University, Newcastle lists 305 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 31 subject areas that Northumbria University, Newcastle does not, including Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Biomedical Engineering and 23 more.

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

Northumbria University, Newcastle teaches 16 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Personal & Professional Development, Teacher Training, Biochemistry, Biology and 8 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

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Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
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Northumbria University, Newcastle305 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses