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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

R
Royal Holloway, University of London

Egham · QS World #485

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

Royal Holloway

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs Royal Holloway, University of London at a glance

Cardiff University and Royal Holloway, University of London both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Mathematics. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Royal Holloway, University of London offers 351 courses across 60 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £3,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Cardiff University is about £450 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 13 and Cardiff University in 8, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £41,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Royal Holloway, University of London is higher in 13 and Cardiff University in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#485
#201
THE World
#401
#34
Guardian UK
#45
1883
Established
1879
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

Royal Holloway, University of London

86.3%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£36,152.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
78.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
16.7%

International

International student share

362
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
32

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

Royal Holloway

79 countries · 16.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.8%
  • 🇨🇳China8.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.8%

Subjects

44 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Welsh Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Biological Sciences (General), Philosophy, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Social Sciences (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Accounting, Computing & IT, Psychology (General), Marketing, Archaeology, Business Studies, Geography (General), Social Work, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Human Resource Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Language, English Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Royal Holloway, University of London

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 Holloway, University of London
£26,800

Royal Holloway, University of London is about £3,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Royal Holloway, University of London
£26,400

Cardiff University is about £450 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

Royal Holloway, University of London

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    70%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Politics & International Relations

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

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction98%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    93%Satisfaction84%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 26 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Royal Holloway, University of London

International Partners Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Katayoon Behboodi Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Mary Anning Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw Scholarships for English

See details

Deadline: N/A

Barbara Raw for English Access Scholarship 2026

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Royal Holloway, University of London: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Royal Holloway, University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £26,800 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Royal Holloway, University of London is about £3,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £26,400 at Royal Holloway, University of London: Cardiff University is about £450 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 Holloway, University of London?

Both universities teach 44 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Physics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, History and 32 more.

Is Cardiff University or Royal Holloway, University of London better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £41,000 from Royal Holloway, University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 83% at Royal Holloway, University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Royal Holloway, University of London offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Royal Holloway, University of London lists 351 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Royal Holloway, University of London?

Cardiff University teaches 42 subject areas that Royal Holloway, University of London does not, including Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Journalism, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, General Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Specialities and 34 more.

What can you study at Royal Holloway, University of London but not at Cardiff University?

Royal Holloway, University of London teaches 16 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Biochemistry, German & Scandinavian Studies, Classical Studies, Drama & Theatre, Ecology & Conservation, Liberal Arts, Biology, French and 8 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
Royal Holloway, University of London351 courses · 32 scholarshipsBrowse Courses