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

Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #1201

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.

4/9

Cardiff

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

5/9

Queen Margaret

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh at a glance

Cardiff University and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh both teach 18 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations and Business Studies. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offers 68 courses across 25 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £7,490 a year cheaper.

Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 6 and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh in 1. The widest gap is in Psychology (General): £25,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £21,000 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is higher in 5 and Cardiff University in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#1201
#201
THE World
—
#34
Guardian UK
—
1883
Established
1875
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Cardiff University

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

86.3%
89.4%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£28,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
88.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
18.6%

International

International student share

362
68

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

Queen Margaret

51 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇮🇪Ireland29%
  • 🌐Nepal9.8%
  • 🇨🇦Canada8.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria6.1%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.5%

Subjects

18 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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Health & Social Care, Public Relations.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

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
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh yet.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
£18,460

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £7,490 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

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction94%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    No dataSatisfaction88%

  • Adult Nursing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    97%Satisfaction100%

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Medical Imaging

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    81%Satisfaction95%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh

Scottish Highlands & Islands Schools Scholarship

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Alison Scott Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

The Alison Scott Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh cheaper for international students?

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,460 at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh: Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh is about £7,490 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 Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?

Both universities teach 18 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Clinical Specialities, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Media & Film Studies, Adult Nursing, Education Studies and 6 more.

Is Cardiff University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh better for Psychology (General)?

Psychology (General) graduates earn a median £25,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £21,000 from Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 86% at Cardiff University and 82% at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh lists 68 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh?

Cardiff University teaches 68 subject areas that Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Law, Chemistry, Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment and 60 more.

What can you study at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh but not at Cardiff University?

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh teaches 7 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Nutrition & Dietetics, Teacher Training, Drama & Theatre, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Cultural Studies, Classical Studies and Hospitality, Events & Tourism.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
Q
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh68 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses