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.
Cardiff · QS World #179
Cheltenham · Guardian UK #103
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
4/10
Gloucestershire
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 Gloucestershire is ahead on established, employment, international, scholarship.
Cardiff University vs University of Gloucestershire at a glance
Cardiff University and University of Gloucestershire both teach 43 subject areas, the largest being Sociology & Criminology, Law and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Gloucestershire offers 284 courses across 60 subject areas.
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,430 at University of Gloucestershire: University of Gloucestershire is about £13,270 a year cheaper.
Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 16 and University of Gloucestershire in 1. The widest gap is in Music: £23,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £16,000 from University of Gloucestershire. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Gloucestershire is higher in 12 and Cardiff University in 7, with 2 about level.
World & National Rankings
Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.
Visual Breakdown
Key metrics at a glance
Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.
Cardiff University
University of Gloucestershire
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
Gloucestershire
28 countries · 18.9% international
- 🇵🇰Pakistan40.4%
- 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
- 🇮🇳India12.4%
- 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.9%
- 🇺🇸United States5.2%
Subjects
43 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 Gloucestershire
Sociology & Criminology
6 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
18 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Computer Science
14 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
4 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Business Studies
4 coursesTypical fee £29,700 (PG)
13 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Human Geography & Environment
10 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
7 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Marketing
1 courseTypical fee £12,950 (PG)
15 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Mathematics
15 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,950 (PG)
Journalism
10 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Childhood & Youth Studies
1 courseFee not available
13 coursesFee not available
Film Production & Cinematography
1 courseTypical fee £24,950 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Management
12 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
1 courseTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Music
Accounting
Design & Fashion
1 courseTypical fee £12,950 (PG)
11 coursesTypical fee £17,430 (UG)
Politics & International Relations
10 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Also taught at both: Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General), Architecture, Business & Management (General), Software Engineering, General Engineering, Applied Psychology, Building & Construction, Creative Writing, Education Studies, English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, History, Media & Film Studies, Social Work, Biomedical Sciences, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Geography (General), Medical Imaging, Theology & Religious Studies, Applied Computing, Mental Health Nursing, Public Relations.
Only at Cardiff University
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 Gloucestershire
- £17,430
University of Gloucestershire is about £13,270 a year cheaper.
Postgraduate
- Cardiff University
- £25,950
- University of Gloucestershire
- No data
We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Gloucestershire yet.
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 Gloucestershire
Sociology & Criminology
£23,500Salary (3 years)£22,50087%Satisfaction74%Law
£24,500Salary (3 years)£24,00081%Satisfaction93%Computer Science
£33,500Salary (3 years)£26,50070%Satisfaction77%Human Geography & Environment
£26,000Salary (3 years)£25,00082%Satisfaction99%Journalism
£24,000Salary (3 years)£22,50083%Satisfaction90%Management
£29,500Salary (3 years)£25,00079%Satisfaction95%Music
£23,500Salary (3 years)£16,00093%Satisfaction83%Accounting
£28,000Salary (3 years)£24,50088%Satisfaction95%Physical Geography & Climate
£26,000Salary (3 years)£25,00089%Satisfaction99%Psychology (General)
£25,000Salary (3 years)£21,00086%Satisfaction89%Architecture
£29,000Salary (3 years)No data89%Satisfaction88%Software Engineering
£33,500Salary (3 years)£27,00087%Satisfaction65%
Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveCardiff University
View all scholarships →University of Gloucestershire
Care Leavers Scholarship 2025/26
See details
Deadline: N/A
Basketball Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
Care Leavers Scholarship 2026/27
See details
Deadline: N/A
The Michael Perham Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/27
See details
Deadline: N/A
Women's Football Scholarship
See details
Deadline: N/A
FAQ
Cardiff University vs University of Gloucestershire: common questions
Is Cardiff University or University of Gloucestershire cheaper for international students?
For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,430 at University of Gloucestershire: University of Gloucestershire is about £13,270 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 Gloucestershire?
Both universities teach 43 subject areas: Sociology & Criminology, Law, Computer Science, Business Studies, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Mathematics, Journalism, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Management, Music and 31 more.
Is Cardiff University or University of Gloucestershire better for Sociology & Criminology?
Sociology & Criminology graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £22,500 from University of Gloucestershire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 87% at Cardiff University and 74% at University of Gloucestershire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.
Does Cardiff University or University of Gloucestershire offer more courses?
Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Gloucestershire lists 284 courses.
What can you study at Cardiff University but not at University of Gloucestershire?
Cardiff University teaches 43 subject areas that University of Gloucestershire does not, including Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Social Sciences (General) and 35 more.
What can you study at University of Gloucestershire but not at Cardiff University?
University of Gloucestershire teaches 17 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Ecology & Conservation, Fine Art, Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Performing Arts (General), Biochemistry and 9 more.
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