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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 Exeter

Devon · QS World #136

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

Exeter

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs University of Exeter at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Exeter both teach 57 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Physics. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Exeter offers 873 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £5,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £400 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Exeter is higher in 27 and Cardiff University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £28,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £43,500 from University of Exeter. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Exeter is higher in 16 and Cardiff University in 10, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#136
#201
THE World
#170
#34
Guardian UK
#14
1883
Established
1922
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
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 Exeter

86.3%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£39,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
22.2%

International

International student share

362
873

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
2

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

Exeter

111 countries · 22.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China25.1%
  • 🇮🇳India10.9%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong10%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States2.8%

Subjects

57 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 Exeter

Also taught at both: Geology & Earth Sciences, Ancient Languages, Biomedical Sciences, Economics, Management, Psychology (General), Archaeology, Media & Film Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Accounting, Business Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Social Sciences (General), Clinical Specialities, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Geography (General), Biomedical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Human Resource Management, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Forensic Science, Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Software Engineering, English Language, Medicine, Statistics, Applied Psychology, Celtic Studies, Medical Imaging, Adult Nursing, Building & Construction, Education Studies.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Exeter

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 Exeter
£24,950

University of Exeter is about £5,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Exeter
£25,550

University of Exeter is about £400 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 Exeter

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    84%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    70%Satisfaction83%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£39,000
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    83%Satisfaction59%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£27,000
    87%Satisfaction91%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    82%Satisfaction87%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Exeter

Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund

See details

Deadline: N/A

Carolyn and Andrew Trevorrow Memorial Fund Travel Bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Exeter: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £24,950 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £5,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £25,550 at University of Exeter: University of Exeter is about £400 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 Exeter?

Both universities teach 57 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Physics, Law, Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Computer Science, History, Finance & Actuarial Science, English Studies, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science and 45 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Exeter better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £30,500 from University of Exeter. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Cardiff University and 88% at University of Exeter. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Exeter offer more courses?

University of Exeter lists 873 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 29 subject areas that University of Exeter does not, including Chemistry, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Architecture, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Literature, Music, Planning & Housing and 21 more.

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

University of Exeter teaches 34 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Ecology & Conservation, Zoology & Animal Biology, Anatomy & Pathology, Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Drama & Theatre and 26 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 Exeter873 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses