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.
Cardiff · QS World #179
London
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
4/8
Cardiff
scored higher in 4 categories
4/8
Royal College of Music
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Cardiff University and Royal College of Music are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Cardiff University is ahead on Russell Group, employment, graduate salary, courses; Royal College of Music on established, satisfaction, international, scholarship.
Cardiff University vs Royal College of Music at a glance
Cardiff University and Royal College of Music have one subject area in common, Music. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Royal College of Music offers 39 courses across 2 subject areas.
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £32,760 at Royal College of Music: Cardiff University is about £6,810 a year cheaper.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Cardiff University
Royal College of Music
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Royal College of Music
37 countries · 48.2% international
- 🇨🇳China35.4%
- 🇺🇸United States10.4%
- 🇭🇰Hong Kong8.3%
- 🇦🇺Australia3.1%
- 🇫🇷France3.1%
Subjects
1 subject 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
Royal College of Music
Music
5 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
36 coursesTypical fee £31,300 (UG)
Only at Cardiff University
Only at Royal College of Music
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
- Royal College of Music
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Royal College of Music yet.
Postgraduate
- Cardiff University
- £25,950
- Royal College of Music
- £32,760
Cardiff University is about £6,810 a year cheaper.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveCardiff University
View all scholarships →Royal College of Music
Adami Award for Collaborative Piano Fellows
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Fellowship in Historical Keyboards
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Gilbert & Eileen Edgar and Anthony Saltmarsh CPF
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Lord & Lady Lurgan Collaborative Piano Fellowship
£15,000
Deadline: N/A
Carne Junior Fellowship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Cardiff University vs Royal College of Music: common questions
Is Cardiff University or Royal College of Music cheaper for international students?
For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £32,760 at Royal College of Music: Cardiff University is about £6,810 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 Royal College of Music?
Both universities teach 1 subject area: Music.
Does Cardiff University or Royal College of Music offer more courses?
Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Royal College of Music lists 39 courses.
What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Royal College of Music?
Cardiff University teaches 85 subject areas that Royal College of Music does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Science, Law, Chemistry, Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment and 77 more.
What can you study at Royal College of Music but not at Cardiff University?
Royal College of Music teaches 1 subject area that Cardiff University does not, including Cognitive & Experimental Psychology.
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