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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 of Bath

Bath · QS World #125

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.

4/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

6/10

Bath

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Bath leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on ranking, established, employment, courses.

Cardiff University vs University of Bath at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Bath both teach 37 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Bath offers 303 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £32,000 at University of Bath: Cardiff University is about £1,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £29,500 at University of Bath: Cardiff University is about £3,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bath is higher in 16 and Cardiff University in 2. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £45,500 from University of Bath. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bath is higher in 10 and Cardiff University in 5, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#125
#201
THE World
#251
#34
Guardian UK
#7
1883
Established
1966
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff University

University of Bath

86.3%
88.6%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£47,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
80.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
23.8%

International

International student share

362
303

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
25

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

Bath

96 countries · 23.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India15.2%
  • 🇨🇳China9.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong8.2%
  • 🇹🇭Thailand7.1%
  • 🇪🇸Spain5.2%

Subjects

37 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 of Bath

Also taught at both: Architecture, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Business Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medicine, Pharmacology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Health & Social Care, Social Work, Human Resource Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Statistics, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Bath

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 of Bath
£32,000

Cardiff University is about £1,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Bath
£29,500

Cardiff University is about £3,550 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 of Bath

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£38,500
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    73%Satisfaction92%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    70%Satisfaction85%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    80%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£35,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£38,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£41,000
    79%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    92%Satisfaction77%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£45,500
    80%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction85%

Showing the 12 largest of 19 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Bath

Alumni Fund Post Graduate Sanctuary Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Vice Chancellor's International Scholarships

£12,400

Deadline: N/A

Bath Global Excellence Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

British Council Scholarships for Women in STEM

100%

Deadline: N/A

GREAT Scholarships 2026

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Bath: common questions

Is Cardiff University or University of Bath cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £32,000 at University of Bath: Cardiff University is about £1,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £29,500 at University of Bath: Cardiff University is about £3,550 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 of Bath?

Both universities teach 37 subject areas: Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Economics, Sociology & Criminology, Social Sciences (General) and 25 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Bath better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £38,500 from University of Bath. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Cardiff University and 82% at University of Bath. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Bath offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bath lists 303 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at University of Bath?

Cardiff University teaches 49 subject areas that University of Bath does not, including Law, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, General Engineering and 41 more.

What can you study at University of Bath but not at Cardiff University?

University of Bath teaches 12 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biochemistry, International Development, Chemical Engineering, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biology, Aerospace Engineering, Business Information Systems and 4 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 of Bath303 courses · 25 scholarshipsBrowse Courses