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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

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The University of Edinburgh

Edinburgh · QS World #35

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.

1/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

Edinburgh

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

The University of Edinburgh leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, employment, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on satisfaction.

Cardiff University vs The University of Edinburgh at a glance

Cardiff University and The University of Edinburgh both teach 69 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Mathematics. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; The University of Edinburgh offers 936 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: The University of Edinburgh is about £1,100 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, The University of Edinburgh is higher in 26 and Cardiff University in 5, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £40,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £29,000 from The University of Edinburgh. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 20 and The University of Edinburgh in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#35
#201
THE World
#29
#34
Guardian UK
#17
1883
Established
1583
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff University

The University of Edinburgh

86.3%
85.3%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£37,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
83%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
41.6%

International

International student share

362
936

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
112

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

Edinburgh

122 countries · 41.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.5%
  • 🇺🇸United States9.3%
  • 🇮🇳India5.4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.7%
  • 🇨🇦Canada2.4%

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

The University of Edinburgh

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, English Literature, Management, Architecture, Asian Languages & Studies, Design & Fashion, Psychology (General), Social Sciences (General), Economics, Ancient Languages, Clinical Specialities, Music, Education Studies, Linguistics, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Celtic Studies, General Engineering, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Archaeology, Media & Film Studies, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Social Work, Accounting, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Biomedical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Environmental Sciences, English Language, Software Engineering, Statistics, Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Film Production & Cinematography, Nursing (General), Building & Construction, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Health & Social Care, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at The University of Edinburgh

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
The University of Edinburgh
£29,600

The University of Edinburgh is about £1,100 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
The University of Edinburgh
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for The University of Edinburgh 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

The University of Edinburgh

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£37,000
    70%Satisfaction74%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    97%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Medicine

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£48,500
    88%Satisfaction80%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

The University of Edinburgh

Asylum Seeker Scholarship

£21,000

Deadline: N/A

Education Beyond Borders postgraduate scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

Cameron Law Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Online Learning Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Rosedale OSSD University of Edinburgh Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs The University of Edinburgh: common questions

Is Cardiff University or The University of Edinburgh cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £29,600 at The University of Edinburgh: The University of Edinburgh is about £1,100 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 The University of Edinburgh?

Both universities teach 69 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Mathematics, Theology & Religious Studies, Physics, Medicine, Civil Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Business Studies, History, Geology & Earth Sciences, Philosophy and 57 more.

Is Cardiff University or The University of Edinburgh better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £26,500 from The University of Edinburgh. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 86% at The University of Edinburgh. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or The University of Edinburgh offer more courses?

The University of Edinburgh lists 936 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at The University of Edinburgh?

Cardiff University teaches 17 subject areas that The University of Edinburgh does not, including Journalism, Welsh Studies, Planning & Housing, Dentistry, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Pharmacy, Toxicology, English Studies and 9 more.

What can you study at The University of Edinburgh but not at Cardiff University?

The University of Edinburgh teaches 47 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Teacher Training, French, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Classical Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Veterinary Medicine, History of Art & Design and 39 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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The University of Edinburgh936 courses · 112 scholarshipsBrowse Courses