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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

O
Oxford Brookes University

Oxford · QS World #411

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

Oxford Brookes

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs Oxford Brookes University at a glance

Cardiff University and Oxford Brookes University both teach 51 subject areas, the largest being Law, Politics & International Relations and Business & Management (General). Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Oxford Brookes University offers 307 courses across 69 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,250 at Oxford Brookes University: Oxford Brookes University is about £13,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,900 at Oxford Brookes University: Oxford Brookes University is about £7,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Oxford Brookes University is higher in 16 and Cardiff University in 9, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Architecture: £29,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £25,000 from Oxford Brookes University. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Oxford Brookes University is higher in 15 and Cardiff University in 7, with 5 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#411
#201
THE World
#801
#34
Guardian UK
#43
1883
Established
1865
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

Oxford Brookes University

86.3%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£33,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
82.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
11.3%

International

International student share

362
307

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
14

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

Oxford Brookes

90 countries · 11.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India29.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%
  • 🇨🇳China4.2%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

51 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

Oxford Brookes University

Also taught at both: Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science, Journalism, Economics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Ancient Languages, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, Computing & IT, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, History, Software Engineering, General Engineering, Philosophy, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Design & Fashion, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Planning & Housing, Psychology (General), Social Work, Film Production & Cinematography, Geography (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Adult Nursing, Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Statistics, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Oxford Brookes 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
Oxford Brookes University
£17,250

Oxford Brookes University is about £13,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Oxford Brookes University
£18,900

Oxford Brookes University is about £7,050 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

Oxford Brookes University

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    70%Satisfaction78%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction82%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    73%Satisfaction87%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • English Literature

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    92%Satisfaction100%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    No dataSatisfaction81%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    81%Satisfaction77%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    80%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Oxford Brookes University

Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press (FLTRP) Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: Nov 2026

Oxford Brookes Bursary for Continuing Students

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estranged students bursary

£2,000

Deadline: Jul 2027

Oxford Brookes Business School International Student Scholarship

£2,000

Deadline: N/A

Transition from Care Bursary

£2,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Oxford Brookes University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Oxford Brookes University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,250 at Oxford Brookes University: Oxford Brookes University is about £13,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,900 at Oxford Brookes University: Oxford Brookes University is about £7,050 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 Oxford Brookes University?

Both universities teach 51 subject areas: Law, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Marketing, English Literature, Building & Construction and 39 more.

Is Cardiff University or Oxford Brookes University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £23,500 from Oxford Brookes University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 83% at Oxford Brookes University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Oxford Brookes University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Oxford Brookes University lists 307 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Oxford Brookes University?

Cardiff University teaches 35 subject areas that Oxford Brookes University does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General) and 27 more.

What can you study at Oxford Brookes University but not at Cardiff University?

Oxford Brookes University teaches 18 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Anthropology, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Ecology & Conservation, History of Art & Design, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Animal Science, Fine Art and 10 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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Oxford Brookes University307 courses · 14 scholarshipsBrowse Courses