Skip to main content

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 Bedfordshire

Luton · Guardian UK #99

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

Bedfordshire

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs University of Bedfordshire at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Bedfordshire both teach 53 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Computer Science and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Bedfordshire offers 306 courses across 59 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,900 at University of Bedfordshire: University of Bedfordshire is about £13,800 a year cheaper.

Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 18 and University of Bedfordshire in 3. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £39,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £19,500 from University of Bedfordshire. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bedfordshire is higher in 13 and Cardiff University in 10.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
—
#201
THE World
#1001
#34
Guardian UK
#99
1883
Established
1882
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Bronze

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff University

University of Bedfordshire

86.3%
88.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£28,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
77%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
30.1%

International

International student share

362
306

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

Bedfordshire

31 countries · 30.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India56.2%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan10.2%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh8.1%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.9%
  • 🇷🇴Romania4.6%

Subjects

53 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 Bedfordshire

Also taught at both: Politics & International Relations, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Marketing, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Design & Fashion, English Language, Computing & IT, Economics, Music, Building & Construction, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Pharmacology, Philosophy, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Biotechnology, Forensic Science, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Midwifery, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Technology & Logistics, Linguistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Bedfordshire

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 Bedfordshire
£16,900

University of Bedfordshire is about £13,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Bedfordshire
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Bedfordshire 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

University of Bedfordshire

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    70%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction99%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction80%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    83%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)No data
    73%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)No data
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    89%Satisfaction95%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Bedfordshire

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Bedfordshire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,900 at University of Bedfordshire: University of Bedfordshire is about £13,800 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 Bedfordshire?

Both universities teach 53 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Law, Accounting, Chemistry, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Psychology (General), Biological Sciences (General), Education Studies, Human Geography & Environment and 41 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Bedfordshire better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £27,500 from University of Bedfordshire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 85% at University of Bedfordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Bedfordshire offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Bedfordshire lists 306 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 33 subject areas that University of Bedfordshire does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages and 25 more.

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

University of Bedfordshire teaches 6 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Games Design & Computer Animation, Anatomy & Pathology and Community & Specialist Nursing.

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 Bedfordshire306 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses