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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 Glasgow

Glasgow · QS World #80

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.

2/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Glasgow

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Glasgow leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on satisfaction, employment.

Cardiff University vs University of Glasgow at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Glasgow both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being History, Mathematics and Management. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Glasgow offers 1,022 courses across 97 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £15,160 at University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow is about £10,790 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 18 and University of Glasgow in 10, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £40,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £26,500 from University of Glasgow. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 16 and University of Glasgow in 11, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#80
#201
THE World
#84
#34
Guardian UK
#12
1883
Established
1451
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff University

University of Glasgow

86.3%
86.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
81.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
35.9%

International

International student share

362
1022

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
4

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

Glasgow

121 countries · 35.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China51.9%
  • 🇺🇸United States7.4%
  • 🇮🇳India7%
  • 🌐Kuwait1.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong1.5%

Subjects

63 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 Glasgow

Also taught at both: Music, Sociology & Criminology, Ancient Languages, English Language, Celtic Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Archaeology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Accounting, Software Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Statistics, Welsh Studies, Planning & Housing, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Sciences, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Clinical Specialities, Dentistry, Health & Social Care, Biotechnology, Computing & IT, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Medicine, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Forensic Science, Geography (General), Nursing (General), Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Pharmacology, Building & Construction, Linguistics, Mental Health Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Glasgow

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 Glasgow
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Glasgow yet.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Glasgow
£15,160

University of Glasgow is about £10,790 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 Glasgow

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    79%Satisfaction73%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction83%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    70%Satisfaction85%

  • English Literature

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    80%Satisfaction79%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Civil Engineering

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

Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Glasgow

Minerva Scholarships

£22,000

Deadline: N/A

Excellence Bursaries

100%

Deadline: N/A

Travel Bursaries

£50

Deadline: N/A

School of Computing Science postgraduate research excellence bursaries

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Glasgow: common questions

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

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £15,160 at University of Glasgow: University of Glasgow is about £10,790 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 Glasgow?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: History, Mathematics, Management, Law, Politics & International Relations, Physics, Psychology (General), Computer Science, English Literature, Economics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering and 51 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Glasgow better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £23,500 from University of Glasgow. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Cardiff University and 90% at University of Glasgow. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Glasgow offer more courses?

University of Glasgow lists 1,022 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 23 subject areas that University of Glasgow does not, including Journalism, Biological Sciences (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Architecture, General Engineering, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Pharmacy, Toxicology and 15 more.

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

University of Glasgow teaches 34 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Spanish & Portuguese, Classical Studies, Eastern European Languages, Information Systems & Data Science, Teacher Training, History of Art & Design, Scottish Gaelic, Social Policy & Public Policy 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 Glasgow1,022 courses · 4 scholarshipsBrowse Courses