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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

S
Southampton, Solent University

Southampton

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

VS

4/8

Southampton

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University and Southampton, Solent University are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Cardiff University is ahead on Russell Group, international, graduate salary, courses; Southampton, Solent University on established, satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs Southampton, Solent University at a glance

Cardiff University and Southampton, Solent University both teach 33 subject areas, the largest being Design & Fashion, Computer Science and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Southampton, Solent University offers 294 courses across 42 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £19,080 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £11,620 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,350 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £7,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 18 and Southampton, Solent University in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £22,500 from Southampton, Solent University. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Southampton, Solent University is higher in 9 and Cardiff University in 2, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
—
#201
THE World
—
#34
Guardian UK
—
1883
Established
1855
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff University

Southampton, Solent University

86.3%
88.2%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£28,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
14.9%

International

International student share

362
294

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
11

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

Southampton

56 countries · 14.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India39%
  • 🇳🇴Norway6.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.3%
  • 🌐Morocco2.4%

Subjects

33 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

Southampton, Solent University

Also taught at both: Software Engineering, Architecture, Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Building & Construction, General Engineering, Psychology (General), Technology & Logistics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, Marketing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Southampton, Solent 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
Southampton, Solent University
£19,080

Southampton, Solent University is about £11,620 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Southampton, Solent University
£18,350

Southampton, Solent University is about £7,600 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

Southampton, Solent University

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    70%Satisfaction84%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    81%Satisfaction96%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    79%Satisfaction87%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%Satisfaction93%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    73%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    No dataSatisfaction91%

  • Software Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction97%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Southampton, Solent University

Solent Postgraduate Taught International Excellence Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: N/A

Carers Bursary

£1,200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showman, Boater community bursary

£500

Deadline: Jun 2026

Undergraduate Apprenticeship Bursary

£200

Deadline: Jun 2026

Parents bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Southampton, Solent University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Southampton, Solent University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £19,080 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £11,620 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,350 at Southampton, Solent University: Southampton, Solent University is about £7,600 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 Southampton, Solent University?

Both universities teach 33 subject areas: Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Law, Business Studies, Business & Management (General), Accounting, Management, Music, Mathematics, Social Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology and 21 more.

Is Cardiff University or Southampton, Solent University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £25,000 from Southampton, Solent University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 84% at Southampton, Solent University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Southampton, Solent University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Southampton, Solent University lists 294 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Southampton, Solent University?

Cardiff University teaches 53 subject areas that Southampton, Solent University does not, including Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Physical Geography & Climate and 45 more.

What can you study at Southampton, Solent University but not at Cardiff University?

Southampton, Solent University teaches 9 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Games Design & Computer Animation, Chemical Engineering, Crafts & Applied Arts, Drama & Theatre, Fine Art, Marine Engineering & Technology 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
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Southampton, Solent University294 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses