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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 Brighton

Brighton · QS World #901

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Brighton

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Brighton is ahead on established, employment, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University of Brighton at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Brighton both teach 57 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Design & Fashion. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Brighton offers 255 courses across 71 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,250 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £13,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,790 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £7,160 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 18 and University of Brighton in 4, with 7 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £23,500 from University of Brighton. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 16 and University of Brighton in 10, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#901
#201
THE World
#601
#34
Guardian UK
#68
1883
Established
1858
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 of Brighton

86.3%
84.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£32,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
14.3%

International

International student share

362
255

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
22

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

Brighton

93 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India12.1%
  • 🇨🇳China7.2%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5%
  • 🇺🇸United States5%
  • 🇪🇬Egypt3.6%

Subjects

57 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 Brighton

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General), Accounting, Biological Sciences (General), Business & Management (General), General Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Sociology & Criminology, Building & Construction, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Pharmacy, English Literature, Music, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Psychology (General), Social Work, Software Engineering, Applied Psychology, Computing & IT, Economics, Film Production & Cinematography, History, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Planning & Housing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Statistics, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Education Studies, Midwifery, Nursing (General).

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Brighton

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 Brighton
£17,250

University of Brighton is about £13,450 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Brighton
£18,790

University of Brighton is about £7,160 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 Brighton

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    80%Satisfaction80%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    70%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction71%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    79%SatisfactionNo data

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    73%Satisfaction75%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    89%Satisfaction83%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    89%Satisfaction80%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Brighton

Ruby Lee Progression scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

University of Brighton outreach progression scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Royal Town Planning Institute scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Vice-Chancellor Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

Widening Access Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Brighton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,250 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £13,450 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,790 at University of Brighton: University of Brighton is about £7,160 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 Brighton?

Both universities teach 57 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Design & Fashion, Law, Business Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Mathematics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Journalism, Management, Politics & International Relations, Mechanical Engineering and 45 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Brighton better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £31,000 from University of Brighton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff University and 80% at University of Brighton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Brighton offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Brighton lists 255 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 29 subject areas that University of Brighton does not, including Chemistry, Welsh Studies, Physics, Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Archaeology and 21 more.

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

University of Brighton teaches 14 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, Biology, Fine Art, Ecology & Conservation, Games Design & Computer Animation, Humanities, Anatomy & Pathology and 6 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 Brighton255 courses · 22 scholarshipsBrowse Courses