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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
Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham · QS World #639

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.

5/9

Cardiff

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

4/9

Nottingham Trent

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 5 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, graduate salary). Nottingham Trent University is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, courses.

Cardiff University vs Nottingham Trent University at a glance

Cardiff University and Nottingham Trent University both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Law and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Nottingham Trent University offers 462 courses across 81 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,950 at Nottingham Trent University: Nottingham Trent University is about £12,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,300 at Nottingham Trent University: Nottingham Trent University is about £7,650 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 29 and Nottingham Trent University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £26,500 from Nottingham Trent University. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Nottingham Trent University is higher in 15 and Cardiff University in 12, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#639
#201
THE World
#601
#34
Guardian UK
#42
1883
Established
1843
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

Nottingham Trent University

86.3%
87.2%

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%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
16%

International

International student share

362
462

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

Nottingham Trent

106 countries · 16% international

  • 🇮🇳India28.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait5.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan4.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.1%

Subjects

59 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

Nottingham Trent University

Also taught at both: Film Production & Cinematography, Sociology & Criminology, Building & Construction, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Economics, English Literature, History, Biomedical Engineering, Software Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Biomedical Sciences, Accounting, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, Forensic Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Work, Computing & IT, Pharmacology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Adult Nursing, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, English Language, English Studies, Environmental Sciences, Geography (General), Human Resource Management, Linguistics, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Health & Social Care.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Nottingham Trent 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
Nottingham Trent University
£17,950

Nottingham Trent University is about £12,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Nottingham Trent University
£18,300

Nottingham Trent University is about £7,650 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

Nottingham Trent University

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Computer Science

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

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction80%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    79%Satisfaction80%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction85%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    83%Satisfaction88%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction86%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Nottingham Trent University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Nottingham Trent University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Nottingham Trent University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,950 at Nottingham Trent University: Nottingham Trent University is about £12,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,300 at Nottingham Trent University: Nottingham Trent University is about £7,650 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 Nottingham Trent University?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Law, Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Management, Business Studies, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Psychology (General), Journalism and 47 more.

Is Cardiff University or Nottingham Trent University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £22,500 from Nottingham Trent University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 88% at Nottingham Trent University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Nottingham Trent University offer more courses?

Nottingham Trent University lists 462 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Nottingham Trent University?

Cardiff University teaches 27 subject areas that Nottingham Trent University does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Clinical Specialities, Philosophy and 19 more.

What can you study at Nottingham Trent University but not at Cardiff University?

Nottingham Trent University teaches 22 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Animal Science, Biochemistry, Games Design & Computer Animation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Policy & Public Policy, Aerospace Engineering and 14 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
N
Nottingham Trent University462 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses