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

R
Robert Gordon University

Aberdeen · QS World #1001

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

Robert Gordon

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). Robert Gordon University is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs Robert Gordon University at a glance

Cardiff University and Robert Gordon University both teach 42 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business Studies and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Robert Gordon University offers 151 courses across 51 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £18,300 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £12,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £19,060 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £6,890 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 9 and Robert Gordon University in 9, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £27,500 from Robert Gordon University. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Robert Gordon University is higher in 11 and Cardiff University in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#1001
#201
THE World
#801
#34
Guardian UK
#81
1883
Established
1729
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

Robert Gordon University

86.3%
87.9%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£33,900

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
88.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
14.4%

International

International student share

362
151

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
43

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

Robert Gordon

48 countries · 14.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria36.2%
  • 🇮🇳India16.2%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana9.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland5.9%

Subjects

42 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

Robert Gordon University

Also taught at both: Biomedical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Work, Building & Construction, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Forensic Science, Human Resource Management, Medical Imaging, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Applied Computing, Children's Nursing, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Public Relations.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Robert Gordon 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
Robert Gordon University
£18,300

Robert Gordon University is about £12,400 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Robert Gordon University
£19,060

Robert Gordon University is about £6,890 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

Robert Gordon University

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    70%Satisfaction85%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    73%Satisfaction85%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction92%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Pharmacy

    £35,000Salary (3 years)£37,000
    90%Satisfaction77%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    92%Satisfaction77%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    No dataSatisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Robert Gordon University

Bolashak Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

CONACyT (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia)

100%

Deadline: N/A

Chevening Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Postgraduate/PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Shared Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Robert Gordon University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Robert Gordon University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £18,300 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £12,400 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £19,060 at Robert Gordon University: Robert Gordon University is about £6,890 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 Robert Gordon University?

Both universities teach 42 subject areas: Law, Business Studies, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Management, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, General Engineering, Journalism, Architecture, Design & Fashion, Social Sciences (General) and 30 more.

Is Cardiff University or Robert Gordon University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £23,500 from Robert Gordon University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 86% at Robert Gordon University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Robert Gordon University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Robert Gordon University lists 151 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Robert Gordon University?

Cardiff University teaches 44 subject areas that Robert Gordon University does not, including Mathematics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Politics & International Relations, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Physical Geography & Climate and 36 more.

What can you study at Robert Gordon University but not at Cardiff University?

Robert Gordon University teaches 9 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Information & Library Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Chemical Engineering, Fine Art, Information Systems & Data Science, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Cultural Studies, Games Design & Computer Animation and 1 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
R
Robert Gordon University151 courses · 43 scholarshipsBrowse Courses