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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.

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Cardiff University

Cardiff · QS World #179

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SOAS University of London

London · QS World #458

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.

9/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

SOAS University of London

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). SOAS University of London is ahead on international, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs SOAS University of London at a glance

Cardiff University and SOAS University of London both teach 21 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies and Asian Languages & Studies. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; SOAS University of London offers 296 courses across 29 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £6,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £630 a year cheaper.

Of the 10 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, SOAS University of London is higher in 6 and Cardiff University in 4. The widest gap is in Politics & International Relations: £27,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £31,000 from SOAS University of London. Of the 11 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 6 and SOAS University of London in 3, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#458
#201
THE World
#401
#34
Guardian UK
#86
1883
Established
1916
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

SOAS University of London

86.3%
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£32,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
74.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
25.7%

International

International student share

362
296

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
27

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

SOAS University of London

67 countries · 25.7% international

  • 🇨🇳China10.9%
  • 🇮🇳India10.6%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan7.6%
  • 🇫🇷France3.6%

Subjects

21 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

SOAS University of London

Also taught at both: Accounting, Finance & Actuarial Science, Philosophy, Theology & Religious Studies, Archaeology, Linguistics.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at SOAS 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
SOAS University of London
£23,780

SOAS University of London is about £6,920 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
SOAS University of London
£25,320

SOAS University of London is about £630 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

SOAS University of London

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    81%Satisfaction77%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    79%Satisfaction73%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

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

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    91%Satisfaction89%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

SOAS University of London

SOAS International Academic Excellence Scholarship

£20,000

Deadline: May 2026

SOAS Sustainable Development Goal Scholarship

£15,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Commonwealth Shared Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme

100%

Deadline: N/A

SOAS Academic Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: May 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs SOAS University of London: common questions

Is Cardiff University or SOAS University of London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £23,780 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £6,920 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £25,320 at SOAS University of London: SOAS University of London is about £630 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 SOAS University of London?

Both universities teach 21 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Media & Film Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Ancient Languages, Law, Civil Engineering, Economics, Management, Music, Business & Management (General), History, Biological Sciences (General) and 9 more.

Is Cardiff University or SOAS University of London better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £31,000 from SOAS University of London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Cardiff University and 90% at SOAS University of London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or SOAS University of London offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and SOAS University of London lists 296 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at SOAS University of London?

Cardiff University teaches 65 subject areas that SOAS University of London does not, including Mathematics, Computer Science, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Mechanical Engineering and 57 more.

What can you study at SOAS University of London but not at Cardiff University?

SOAS University of London teaches 8 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology, Creative Arts (General), History of Art & Design, International Development, Cultural Studies, Liberal Arts and Social Policy & Public Policy.

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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SOAS University of London296 courses · 27 scholarshipsBrowse Courses