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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

U
UCL (University College London)

Camden · QS World #8

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

UCL (University College London)

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs UCL (University College London) at a glance

Cardiff University and UCL (University College London) both teach 70 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Ancient Languages and Mathematics. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; UCL (University College London) offers 1,131 courses across 109 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): UCL (University College London) is about £900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Cardiff University is about £8,750 a year cheaper.

Of the 32 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, UCL (University College London) is higher in 29 and Cardiff University in 3. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £51,000 from UCL (University College London). Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 15 and UCL (University College London) in 13, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#8
#201
THE World
#22
#34
Guardian UK
#9
1883
Established
1826
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
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

UCL (University College London)

86.3%
86.5%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£46,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
80.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
51.9%

International

International student share

362
1131

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
18

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

UCL (University College London)

127 countries · 51.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.3%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.2%
  • 🇮🇳India3.4%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.4%

Subjects

70 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

UCL (University College London)

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Chemistry, Human Geography & Environment, Law, Planning & Housing, Architecture, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Philosophy, Microbiology & Cell Biology, History, Archaeology, Dentistry, Design & Fashion, Welsh Studies, Building & Construction, Social Sciences (General), Biological Sciences (General), Linguistics, Physical Geography & Climate, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geography (General), Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Software Engineering, Statistics, Biomedical Engineering, Computing & IT, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Forensic Science, Medicine, Music, Theology & Religious Studies, Accounting, Biotechnology, English Literature, English Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Pharmacology, Business Studies, English Language, Film Production & Cinematography, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Creative Writing, Marketing, Public Relations.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at UCL (University College 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
UCL (University College London)
£29,800

UCL (University College London) is about £900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
UCL (University College London)
£34,700

Cardiff University is about £8,750 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

UCL (University College London)

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£51,000
    70%Satisfaction80%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£35,000
    80%Satisfaction73%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£38,000
    79%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£45,000
    80%Satisfaction79%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

UCL (University College London)

Commercial Bar Opportunity Scholarship

£25,000

Deadline: N/A

AHRC Doctoral Landscape Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

UCL Department of Arts and Sciences (UASc) Interdisciplinary Excellence PhD Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Law Society Pro Bono Bursary

£250

Deadline: N/A

Alonso Gurmendi Dunkelberg, UCL Graduate Research Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs UCL (University College London): common questions

Is Cardiff University or UCL (University College London) cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £29,800 at UCL (University College London): UCL (University College London) is about £900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £34,700 at UCL (University College London): Cardiff University is about £8,750 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 UCL (University College London)?

Both universities teach 70 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Ancient Languages, Mathematics, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Psychology (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Politics & International Relations, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 58 more.

Is Cardiff University or UCL (University College London) better for Ancient Languages?

Ancient Languages graduates earn a median £25,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £31,000 from UCL (University College London). Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Cardiff University and 92% at UCL (University College London). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or UCL (University College London) offer more courses?

UCL (University College London) lists 1,131 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at UCL (University College London)?

Cardiff University teaches 16 subject areas that UCL (University College London) does not, including Journalism, Toxicology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Resource Management, Medical Imaging, Social Work, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing and 8 more.

What can you study at UCL (University College London) but not at Cardiff University?

UCL (University College London) teaches 39 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including German & Scandinavian Studies, Eastern European Languages, French, Italian, Chemical Engineering, Anthropology, Spanish & Portuguese, African & Middle Eastern Studies and 31 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
U
UCL (University College London)1,131 courses · 18 scholarshipsBrowse Courses