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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
Swansea University

Swansea · QS World #322

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.

8/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Swansea

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary). Swansea University is ahead on ranking, courses, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs Swansea University at a glance

Cardiff University and Swansea University both teach 69 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Politics & International Relations. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Swansea University offers 916 courses across 97 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £21,550 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £9,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £3,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 34 and Swansea University in 2. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £40,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £28,000 from Swansea University. Of the 35 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Swansea University is higher in 19 and Cardiff University in 15, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#322
#201
THE World
#301
#34
Guardian UK
#32
1883
Established
1920
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

Swansea University

86.3%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£31,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
78.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
14.1%

International

International student share

362
916

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
5

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

Swansea

73 countries · 14.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India25.4%
  • 🇨🇳China12.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8.2%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.5%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.9%

Subjects

69 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

Swansea University

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Education Studies, English Literature, Physical Geography & Climate, Welsh Studies, Accounting, Journalism, Geology & Earth Sciences, Philosophy, Biomedical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health & Social Care, Management, Archaeology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biological Sciences (General), Social Sciences (General), English Language, English Studies, Computing & IT, Environmental Sciences, Pharmacology, Clinical Specialities, Linguistics, Social Work, Software Engineering, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Biotechnology, Building & Construction, Creative Writing, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Pharmacy, Planning & Housing, Toxicology, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Design & Fashion, Medicine, Theology & Religious Studies, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Children's Nursing, Geography (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Relations.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Swansea 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
Swansea University
£21,550

Swansea University is about £9,150 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Swansea University
£22,950

Swansea University is about £3,000 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

Swansea University

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction82%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    70%Satisfaction84%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    80%Satisfaction79%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    80%Satisfaction90%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    81%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction69%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction99%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Swansea University

History and Heritage Studies: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with Museum Wales (RS950)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship (Fully Funded) in History with The National Archives (RS948)

100%

Deadline: N/A

History: AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Partnership Studentship in History with Museum Wales (RS949)

See details

Deadline: N/A

PhD Studentship in Sustainable Fusion Steels: Whole Lifecycle Design of Tokamak Vacuum Vessel Steels (RS964)

See details

Deadline: N/A

Swansea University International Postgraduate Research Excellence Scholarships 2025/26

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Swansea University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Swansea University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £21,550 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £9,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £22,950 at Swansea University: Swansea University is about £3,000 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 Swansea University?

Both universities teach 69 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Physics, Economics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History and 57 more.

Is Cardiff University or Swansea University better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £21,000 from Swansea University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 82% at Swansea University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Swansea University offer more courses?

Swansea University lists 916 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Swansea University?

Cardiff University teaches 17 subject areas that Swansea University does not, including Ancient Languages, Architecture, Music, Dentistry, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Forensic Science, Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation and 9 more.

What can you study at Swansea University but not at Cardiff University?

Swansea University teaches 28 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Teacher Training, Genetics & Genomics, American & Comparative Studies, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Medical Sciences, Classical Studies, Aerospace Engineering and 20 more.

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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Swansea University916 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses