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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 Bristol

Bristol · QS World #57

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

Bristol

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs University of Bristol at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Bristol both teach 56 subject areas, the largest being Mathematics, Management and Physics. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Bristol offers 479 courses across 83 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £31,300 at University of Bristol: Cardiff University is about £600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £28,460 at University of Bristol: Cardiff University is about £2,510 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Bristol is higher in 24 and Cardiff University in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Management: £29,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £44,000 from University of Bristol. Of the 26 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Bristol is higher in 15 and Cardiff University 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
#57
#201
THE World
#80
#34
Guardian UK
#13
1883
Established
1876
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 Bristol

86.3%
88%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£43,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
77.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
33.6%

International

International student share

362
479

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
54

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

Bristol

104 countries · 33.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China53.5%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore2.8%

Subjects

56 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 Bristol

Also taught at both: Welsh Studies, Accounting, Business & Management (General), General Engineering, History, Mechanical Engineering, Music, Philosophy, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, English Studies, Education Studies, Social Sciences (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Medicine, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Social Work, Archaeology, Business Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Computing & IT, Design & Fashion, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Software Engineering, Statistics, Pharmacology, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Asian Languages & Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Geography (General), Health & Social Care, Linguistics, Public Health & Epidemiology, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Bristol

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 Bristol
£31,300

Cardiff University is about £600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Bristol
£28,460

Cardiff University is about £2,510 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 Bristol

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£44,000
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£48,000
    70%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£42,000
    80%Satisfaction81%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    80%Satisfaction92%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£35,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction92%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    83%Satisfaction91%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    92%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Bristol

Black Heritage PhD Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Black heritage PhD scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Bristol Postgraduate Research Scholarships for applicants of Black heritage

100%

Deadline: N/A

British Council scholarships for Women

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Bristol: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £31,300 at University of Bristol: Cardiff University is about £600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £28,460 at University of Bristol: Cardiff University is about £2,510 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 Bristol?

Both universities teach 56 subject areas: Mathematics, Management, Physics, Law, Computer Science, Economics, Politics & International Relations, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Ancient Languages, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 44 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Bristol better for Mathematics?

Mathematics graduates earn a median £27,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £34,500 from University of Bristol. Student satisfaction with teaching is 84% at Cardiff University and 87% at University of Bristol. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Bristol offer more courses?

University of Bristol lists 479 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 30 subject areas that University of Bristol does not, including Journalism, Biological Sciences (General), Architecture, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, English Literature, Planning & Housing and 22 more.

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

University of Bristol teaches 27 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Anatomy & Pathology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biochemistry, Drama & Theatre, Veterinary Medicine, Biology, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design and 19 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 Bristol479 courses · 54 scholarshipsBrowse Courses