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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 Chester

Chester · Guardian UK #91

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.

6/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

4/10

Chester

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). University of Chester is ahead on established, employment, international, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University of Chester at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Chester both teach 52 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Chester offers 329 courses across 73 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £15,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £10,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 26 and University of Chester in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £23,000 from University of Chester. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 16 and University of Chester in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
—
#201
THE World
#1501
#34
Guardian UK
#91
1883
Established
1839
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 Chester

86.3%
83.9%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
84.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
28.7%

International

International student share

362
329

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

Chester

52 countries · 28.7% international

  • 🇮🇳India32.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria11.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka7.1%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%

Subjects

52 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 Chester

Also taught at both: Ancient Languages, Biological Sciences (General), Design & Fashion, Finance & Actuarial Science, Music, Geography (General), History, Marketing, Business Studies, Clinical Specialities, English Literature, General Engineering, Adult Nursing, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Media & Film Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Theology & Religious Studies, Computing & IT, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, English Language, English Studies, Forensic Science, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Medicine, Public Health & Epidemiology, Technology & Logistics, Asian Languages & Studies, Biotechnology, Building & Construction, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Midwifery.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Chester

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 Chester
£14,950

University of Chester is about £15,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Chester
£15,500

University of Chester is about £10,450 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 Chester

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    70%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    84%SatisfactionNo data

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    86%Satisfaction82%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    83%Satisfaction78%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction75%

  • Software Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction66%

  • Archaeology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    91%Satisfaction100%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction88%

Showing the 12 largest of 30 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Chester

NHS Learning Support Fund

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Visit Us Travel Bursary

£100

Deadline: N/A

Futures Employability Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Chester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £14,950 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £15,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £15,500 at University of Chester: University of Chester is about £10,450 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 Chester?

Both universities teach 52 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Law, Sociology & Criminology, Business & Management (General), Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Journalism, Chemistry, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Software Engineering and 40 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £23,000 from University of Chester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 83% at University of Chester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Chester offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Chester lists 329 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 34 subject areas that University of Chester does not, including Civil Engineering, Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Physical Geography & Climate and 26 more.

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

University of Chester teaches 21 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Nutrition & Dietetics, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Animal Science, Agriculture & Land Management, Games Design & Computer Animation, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Chemical Engineering and 13 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 Chester329 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses