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.
Cardiff · QS World #179
Buckingham
Head-to-Head Summary
Based on 8 datapoints
We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.
4/8
Cardiff
scored higher in 4 categories
4/8
Buckingham
scored higher in 4 categories
Quick Verdict
Cardiff University and University of Buckingham are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Cardiff University is ahead on Russell Group, established, satisfaction, courses; University of Buckingham on employment, international, graduate salary, scholarship.
Cardiff University vs University of Buckingham at a glance
Cardiff University and University of Buckingham both teach 24 subject areas, the largest being Law, History and Mathematics. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Buckingham offers 153 courses across 31 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £44,400 at University of Buckingham: Cardiff University is about £13,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £16,480 at University of Buckingham: University of Buckingham is about £9,470 a year cheaper.
Of the 5 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Buckingham is higher in 4 and Cardiff University in 1. The widest gap is in Politics & International Relations: £27,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £30,500 from University of Buckingham. Of the 7 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Buckingham is higher in 5 and Cardiff University in 1, with 1 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Cardiff University
University of Buckingham
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Buckingham
39 countries · 26% international
- 🇨🇦Canada18.3%
- 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates10%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria9.4%
- 🇦🇺Australia8.9%
- 🇮🇳India8.9%
Subjects
24 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 Buckingham
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £44,400 (UG)
History
3 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £44,400 (UG)
Mathematics
15 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £14,540 (PG)
Computer Science
14 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
2 coursesTypical fee £18,000 (PG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
1 courseFee not available
14 coursesFee not available
Politics & International Relations
10 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £51,800 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
Management
12 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £16,480 (PG)
Psychology (General)
Finance & Actuarial Science
Accounting
Economics
English Literature
Health Sciences & Paramedic Science
Applied Computing
Also taught at both: Medicine, Business Studies, Computing & IT, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, Philosophy, Biomedical Sciences, English Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.
Only at Cardiff University
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 Buckingham
- £44,400
Cardiff University is about £13,700 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Cardiff University
- £25,950
- University of Buckingham
- £16,480
University of Buckingham is about £9,470 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 Buckingham
Law
£24,500Salary (3 years)£25,50081%Satisfaction92%History
£23,500Salary (3 years)No data92%Satisfaction96%Politics & International Relations
£27,000Salary (3 years)£30,50088%Satisfaction86%Psychology (General)
£25,000Salary (3 years)No data86%Satisfaction88%Accounting
£28,000Salary (3 years)£30,00088%Satisfaction93%Economics
£32,000Salary (3 years)£30,50080%Satisfaction87%English Literature
£23,000Salary (3 years)£26,00092%Satisfaction92%
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveCardiff University
View all scholarships →University of Buckingham
Beloff Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Coase Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Congdon Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Diversity in Computing Bursary
See details
Deadline: N/A
Gregory Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Cardiff University vs University of Buckingham: common questions
Is Cardiff University or University of Buckingham cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £44,400 at University of Buckingham: Cardiff University is about £13,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £16,480 at University of Buckingham: University of Buckingham is about £9,470 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 Buckingham?
Both universities teach 24 subject areas: Law, History, Mathematics, Computer Science, Childhood & Youth Studies, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Management, Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Accounting, Economics and 12 more.
Is Cardiff University or University of Buckingham better for Law?
Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £25,500 from University of Buckingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 92% at University of Buckingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Cardiff University or University of Buckingham offer more courses?
Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Buckingham lists 153 courses.
What can you study at Cardiff University but not at University of Buckingham?
Cardiff University teaches 62 subject areas that University of Buckingham does not, including Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering and 54 more.
What can you study at University of Buckingham but not at Cardiff University?
University of Buckingham teaches 7 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Humanities, Social Policy & Public Policy, History of Art & Design, Teacher Training, Author Studies & Literary Specialisms, Cultural Studies and Personal & Professional Development.
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