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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 Cumbria

Lancaster · Guardian UK #101

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/9

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Cumbria

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Cumbria is ahead on employment, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University of Cumbria at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Cumbria both teach 30 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Law and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Cumbria offers 136 courses across 40 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £14,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £9,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 10 and University of Cumbria in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Management: £29,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £21,000 from University of Cumbria. Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 8 and University of Cumbria in 5.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
—
#201
THE World
—
#34
Guardian UK
#101
1883
Established
2007
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 Cumbria

86.3%
80.5%

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%
89.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
2.6%

International

International student share

362
136

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
1

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

Cumbria

14 countries · 2.6% international

  • 🇨🇦Canada14.9%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan14.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany8.5%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.5%

Subjects

30 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 Cumbria

Also taught at both: Biomedical Engineering, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biomedical Sciences, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Medical Imaging, Nursing (General), Adult Nursing, Education Studies, Environmental Sciences, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Cumbria

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 Cumbria
£16,000

University of Cumbria is about £14,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Cumbria
£16,900

University of Cumbria is about £9,050 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 Cumbria

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    81%Satisfaction95%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    82%Satisfaction77%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    79%Satisfaction76%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    87%Satisfaction70%

  • Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    81%Satisfaction91%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    86%Satisfaction94%

  • Medical Imaging

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Adult Nursing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    97%Satisfaction74%

  • Mental Health Nursing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    97%Satisfaction74%

  • Midwifery

    £30,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    96%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Cumbria

Future Talent Award

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Cumbria: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,000 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £14,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £16,900 at University of Cumbria: University of Cumbria is about £9,050 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 Cumbria?

Both universities teach 30 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Law, Computer Science, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Welsh Studies, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General) and 18 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Cumbria better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £18,500 from University of Cumbria. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 95% at University of Cumbria. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Cumbria offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Cumbria lists 136 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 56 subject areas that University of Cumbria does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Journalism, Politics & International Relations, Biological Sciences (General), Physics and 48 more.

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

University of Cumbria teaches 10 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Forestry & Arboriculture, Ecology & Conservation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Zoology & Animal Biology, Fine Art, Teacher Training, Games Design & Computer Animation and 2 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 Cumbria136 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses