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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 Birmingham

Birmingham · QS World #68

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

Birmingham

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs University of Birmingham at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Birmingham both teach 69 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Civil Engineering. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Birmingham offers 663 courses across 101 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £3,610 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £2,560 a year cheaper.

Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Birmingham is higher in 25 and Cardiff University in 7, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £28,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £37,000 from University of Birmingham. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 24 and University of Birmingham in 12.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#68
#201
THE World
#98
#34
Guardian UK
#18
1883
Established
1900
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

University of Birmingham

86.3%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£38,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
83.3%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
31.2%

International

International student share

362
663

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
3

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

Birmingham

104 countries · 31.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China55.7%
  • 🇮🇳India9.4%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2%

Subjects

69 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 Birmingham

Also taught at both: Music, Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Marketing, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Business Studies, Economics, Education Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Social Sciences (General), Theology & Religious Studies, Accounting, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Medicine, Physical Geography & Climate, Planning & Housing, Clinical Specialities, Dentistry, Environmental Sciences, Geography (General), Nursing (General), Archaeology, English Language, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Literature, Pharmacy, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Work, English Studies, Linguistics, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Software Engineering, Toxicology, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Statistics, Biotechnology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Children's Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Film Production & Cinematography, Midwifery.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of 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 of Birmingham
£27,090

University of Birmingham is about £3,610 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Birmingham
£23,390

University of Birmingham is about £2,560 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 Birmingham

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    80%Satisfaction78%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    94%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    70%Satisfaction93%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    79%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Birmingham

Enhanced Chamberlain Award

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

University Music Scholarships

£3,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

University Music Scholarships

£1,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Birmingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £27,090 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £3,610 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £23,390 at University of Birmingham: University of Birmingham is about £2,560 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 Birmingham?

Both universities teach 69 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Civil Engineering, History, Mathematics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Philosophy, Business & Management (General), Ancient Languages and 57 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Birmingham better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £28,000 from University of Birmingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Cardiff University and 86% at University of Birmingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Birmingham offer more courses?

University of Birmingham lists 663 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 17 subject areas that University of Birmingham does not, including Journalism, Welsh Studies, Architecture, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Forensic Science, Medical Imaging and 9 more.

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

University of Birmingham teaches 32 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Teacher Training, International Development, Sport & Exercise Sciences, History of Art & Design, Chemical Engineering, Classical Studies, French, Social Policy & Public Policy and 24 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 Birmingham663 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses