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
Middlesbrough · Guardian UK #95
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 10 datapoints
We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
6/10
Cardiff
scored higher in 6 categories
4/10
Teesside
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Cardiff University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, graduate salary, courses). Teesside University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international, scholarship.
Cardiff University vs Teesside University at a glance
Cardiff University and Teesside University both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Law, Civil Engineering and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Teesside University offers 211 courses across 55 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,000 at Teesside University: Teesside University is about £13,700 a year cheaper.
Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 23 and Teesside University in 6, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £21,000 from Teesside University. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Teesside University is higher in 15 and Cardiff University in 12, with 2 about level.
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
Teesside University
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%
Teesside
51 countries · 28.5% international
- 🇮🇳India37.1%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria26.2%
- 🇵🇰Pakistan10.1%
- 🇨🇳China8.5%
- 🇬🇭Ghana6.3%
Subjects
43 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
Teesside University
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (UG)
Civil Engineering
17 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (UG)
Computer Science
14 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
6 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (UG)
Business Studies
4 coursesTypical fee £29,700 (PG)
14 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (UG)
Mechanical Engineering
Sociology & Criminology
6 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (UG)
Chemistry
12 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (UG)
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Journalism
10 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (UG)
Biological Sciences (General)
Design & Fashion
1 courseTypical fee £12,950 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (UG)
Management
12 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
1 courseFee not available
Politics & International Relations
10 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £17,000 (UG)
Psychology (General)
Software Engineering
Also taught at both: Accounting, Forensic Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Business & Management (General), English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Computing & IT, History, Media & Film Studies, Music, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, Education Studies, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Pharmacy, Social Work, Film Production & Cinematography, Marketing, Medical Imaging, Pharmacology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Nursing (General).
Only at Cardiff 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
- Teesside University
- £17,000
Teesside University is about £13,700 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Cardiff University
- £25,950
- Teesside University
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for Teesside University yet.
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
Teesside University
Law
£24,500Salary (3 years)£18,50081%Satisfaction92%Civil Engineering
£31,000Salary (3 years)£36,50080%Satisfaction92%Computer Science
£33,500Salary (3 years)£21,00070%Satisfaction84%Mechanical Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)£37,50073%Satisfaction90%Sociology & Criminology
£23,500Salary (3 years)£20,00087%Satisfaction87%Chemistry
£26,500Salary (3 years)£21,00094%Satisfaction91%Electronic & Electrical Engineering
£31,500Salary (3 years)£44,00092%Satisfaction83%Journalism
£24,000Salary (3 years)£19,50083%Satisfaction81%Biological Sciences (General)
£25,500Salary (3 years)£24,00094%Satisfaction96%Management
£29,500Salary (3 years)£21,00079%Satisfaction74%Politics & International Relations
£27,000Salary (3 years)£21,00088%Satisfaction89%Psychology (General)
£25,000Salary (3 years)£18,50086%Satisfaction91%
Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveCardiff University
View all scholarships →Teesside University
Brittan Scholarship
£10,000
Deadline: Oct 2026
Santander Scholarship
£5,000
Deadline: N/A
Care Leaver Bursary
£2,000
Deadline: N/A
Beth Mead Scholarship
£1,200
Deadline: Sept 2026
Santander Brighter Futures
£1,000
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Cardiff University vs Teesside University: common questions
Is Cardiff University or Teesside University cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,000 at Teesside University: Teesside University is about £13,700 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 Teesside University?
Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Law, Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Business Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Chemistry, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Journalism, Biological Sciences (General), Design & Fashion, Management and 31 more.
Is Cardiff University or Teesside University better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £18,500 from Teesside University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 92% at Teesside University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Cardiff University or Teesside University offer more courses?
Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Teesside University lists 211 courses.
What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Teesside University?
Cardiff University teaches 43 subject areas that Teesside University does not, including Mathematics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages and 35 more.
What can you study at Teesside University but not at Cardiff University?
Teesside University teaches 12 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Chemical Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, Food Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biology, Fine Art and 4 more.
Ready to explore courses?
Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.