Skip to main content

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 Derby

Derby · QS World #1201

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.

6/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

5/11

Derby

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, international, graduate salary). University of Derby is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, courses, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University of Derby at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Derby both teach 56 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering and Sociology & Criminology. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Derby offers 375 courses across 74 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £13,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £8,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 27 and University of Derby in 1. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £21,000 from University of Derby. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Derby is higher in 19 and Cardiff University in 8.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#1201
#201
THE World
#601
#34
Guardian UK
#80
1883
Established
1851
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Cardiff University

University of Derby

86.3%
88.5%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£27,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
85.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
14.3%

International

International student share

362
375

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
6

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

Derby

64 countries · 14.3% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria34.5%
  • 🇮🇳India15.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan8.1%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana6.5%
  • 🇰🇪Kenya5.5%

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 Derby

Also taught at both: Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, English Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physics, Business Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History, Media & Film Studies, Music, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Adult Nursing, Clinical Specialities, Creative Writing, Forensic Science, Mental Health Nursing, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Technology & Logistics, Applied Computing, Biomedical Sciences, Building & Construction, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Children's Nursing, Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, English Language, Environmental Sciences, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Derby

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 Derby
£16,900

University of Derby is about £13,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Derby
£17,500

University of Derby is about £8,450 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 Derby

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    80%Satisfaction92%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction85%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    70%Satisfaction73%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    80%Satisfaction93%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    95%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    73%Satisfaction85%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction97%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Derby

Biomedical Science Excellence Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Golding Awards

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sarah Essam Football Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sitwell Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Derby: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,900 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £13,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,500 at University of Derby: University of Derby is about £8,450 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 Derby?

Both universities teach 56 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Journalism, Marketing, Mathematics, Psychology (General), Politics & International Relations, Management and 44 more.

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

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £29,000 from University of Derby. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff University and 92% at University of Derby. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Derby offer more courses?

University of Derby lists 375 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 30 subject areas that University of Derby does not, including Chemistry, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering and 22 more.

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

University of Derby teaches 18 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Games Design & Computer Animation, Personal & Professional Development, Teacher Training, Business Information Systems, Applied Biology & Human Biology, Biology and 10 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 Derby375 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses