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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
Ulster University

Belfast · QS World #595

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/9

Cardiff

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

Ulster

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, courses). Ulster University is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international.

Cardiff University vs Ulster University at a glance

Cardiff University and Ulster University both teach 48 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Law and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Ulster University offers 170 courses across 66 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £13,210 a year cheaper.

Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Ulster University is higher in 15 and Cardiff University 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
#595
#201
THE World
#601
#34
Guardian UK
#60
1883
Established
1968
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

Ulster University

86.3%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
No data

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
32.5%

International

International student share

362
170

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
0

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

Ulster

45 countries · 32.5% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27.8%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland21.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.1%
  • 🇮🇳India12.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.6%

Subjects

48 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

Ulster University

Also taught at both: Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Design & Fashion, Social Work, Economics, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History, Planning & Housing, Software Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Computing & IT, English Studies, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Pharmacy, Psychology (General), Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Medical Imaging, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Environmental Sciences, Human Resource Management, Linguistics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medicine, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Public Health & Epidemiology, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Ulster 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
Ulster University
£17,490

Ulster University is about £13,210 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Ulster University
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for Ulster 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

Ulster University

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)No data
    80%Satisfaction100%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)No data
    70%Satisfaction79%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction82%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)No data
    79%Satisfaction73%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)No data
    73%Satisfaction77%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction84%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £26,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)No data
    83%Satisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Ulster University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Ulster University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Ulster University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,490 at Ulster University: Ulster University is about £13,210 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 Ulster University?

Both universities teach 48 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Law, Computer Science, Journalism, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Accounting, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Business Studies, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physical Geography & Climate and 36 more.

Does Cardiff University or Ulster University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Ulster University lists 170 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 38 subject areas that Ulster University does not, including Mathematics, Chemistry, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages and 30 more.

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

Ulster University teaches 18 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Irish Studies, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Anatomy & Pathology, Drama & Theatre, Information Systems & Data Science and 10 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
Ulster University170 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses