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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
University College Birmingham

Birmingham

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/8

Cardiff

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

3/8

University College Birmingham

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary, courses). University College Birmingham is ahead on satisfaction, international, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University College Birmingham at a glance

Cardiff University and University College Birmingham both teach 26 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Mechanical Engineering. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University College Birmingham offers 115 courses across 36 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £17,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £8,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 2 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 2 and University College Birmingham in 0. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Of the 9 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University College Birmingham is higher in 7 and Cardiff University in 2.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
—
#201
THE World
—
#34
Guardian UK
—
1883
Established
1957
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
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

University College Birmingham

86.3%
88.3%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
77.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
47%

International

International student share

362
115

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
7

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

University College Birmingham

26 countries · 47% international

  • 🌐Nepal48.9%
  • 🇮🇳India24.7%
  • 🇨🇳China11.5%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh3.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan3.3%

Subjects

26 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

University College Birmingham

Also taught at both: Education Studies, Marketing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Design & Fashion, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University College Birmingham

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
University College Birmingham
£13,500

University College Birmingham is about £17,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University College Birmingham
£17,000

University College Birmingham is about £8,950 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

University College Birmingham

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)No data
    70%Satisfaction87%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Planning & Housing

    £30,000Salary (3 years)No data
    85%Satisfaction91%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction91%

  • Software Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)No data
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    91%Satisfaction98%

  • Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

    £29,000Salary (3 years)No data
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Adult Nursing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)No data
    97%Satisfaction91%

  • Mental Health Nursing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)No data
    97%Satisfaction91%

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University College Birmingham

GREAT Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Vice-Chancellor's Award

100%

Deadline: N/A

Dean's Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

Early Action Scholarship

£4,500

Deadline: Jul 2026

Alumni Scholarship

25%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University College Birmingham: common questions

Is Cardiff University or University College Birmingham cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £13,500 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £17,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,000 at University College Birmingham: University College Birmingham is about £8,950 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 University College Birmingham?

Both universities teach 26 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Finance & Actuarial Science, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Building & Construction, Planning & Housing, Architecture, Psychology (General) and 14 more.

Is Cardiff University or University College Birmingham better for Finance & Actuarial Science?

Finance & Actuarial Science graduates earn a median £31,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £20,000 from University College Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 89% at University College Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University College Birmingham offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University College Birmingham lists 115 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at University College Birmingham?

Cardiff University teaches 60 subject areas that University College Birmingham does not, including Mathematics, Law, Chemistry, Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Welsh Studies and 52 more.

What can you study at University College Birmingham but not at Cardiff University?

University College Birmingham teaches 10 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Food Science, Food Production & Technology, Crafts & Applied Arts, Clinical & Health Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Creative Arts (General) and 2 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
University College Birmingham115 courses · 7 scholarshipsBrowse Courses