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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 Greater Manchester

Bolton

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

4/8

Cardiff

scored higher in 4 categories

VS

4/8

Greater Manchester

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University and University of Greater Manchester are evenly matched: each leads in 4 of 8 categories where both have data. Cardiff University is ahead on Russell Group, established, graduate salary, courses; University of Greater Manchester on satisfaction, employment, international, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University of Greater Manchester at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Greater Manchester both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being Education Studies, Psychology (General) and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Greater Manchester offers 281 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £13,200 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 Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £8,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 18 and University of Greater Manchester in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £21,000 from University of Greater Manchester. Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 9 and University of Greater Manchester in 6, with 1 about level.

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
—
1883
Established
2024
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 Greater Manchester

86.3%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£28,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
82.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
25.4%

International

International student share

362
281

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
5

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

Greater Manchester

30 countries · 25.4% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria46.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan17.7%
  • 🇮🇳India10.8%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh6.6%

Subjects

44 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 Greater Manchester

Also taught at both: Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Politics & International Relations, Accounting, Film Production & Cinematography, Music, Sociology & Criminology, Software Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Work, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Adult Nursing, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Media & Film Studies, Medicine, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Creative Writing, Biotechnology, Children's Nursing, Midwifery.

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 Greater Manchester
£17,500

University of Greater Manchester is about £13,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Greater Manchester
£17,500

University of Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    91%Satisfaction92%
  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    86%Satisfaction86%
  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    81%Satisfaction79%
  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    80%Satisfaction83%
  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    70%Satisfaction93%
  • Biomedical Engineering

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    75%Satisfaction93%
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    73%Satisfaction86%
  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction80%
  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    93%Satisfaction91%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    87%Satisfaction78%
  • Software Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    87%Satisfaction89%
  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Greater Manchester

Bolton Sports Bursary 2020/21

See details

Deadline: N/A

Care Experienced Bursary 21-22

See details

Deadline: N/A

Care Leavers Bursary 2020/2021

See details

Deadline: N/A

The Bolton Master's Bursary 2021

See details

Deadline: N/A

The University of Greater Manchester Group Progression Scholarship 2021-22

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Greater Manchester: common questions

Is Cardiff University or University of Greater Manchester cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,500 at University of Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester is about £13,200 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 Greater Manchester: University of Greater Manchester 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 Greater Manchester?

Both universities teach 44 subject areas: Education Studies, Psychology (General), Law, Civil Engineering, Management, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Health & Social Care, Dentistry, Nursing (General), Biomedical Engineering, Computing & IT and 32 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Greater Manchester better for Education Studies?

Education Studies graduates earn a median £24,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £18,000 from University of Greater Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 91% at Cardiff University and 92% at University of Greater Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Greater Manchester offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Greater Manchester lists 281 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at University of Greater Manchester?

Cardiff University teaches 42 subject areas that University of Greater Manchester does not, including Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General) and 34 more.

What can you study at University of Greater Manchester but not at Cardiff University?

University of Greater Manchester teaches 12 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Dance, Games Design & Computer Animation, Teacher Training, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Community & Specialist Nursing, Biology, Cognitive & Experimental Psychology, Crafts & Applied Arts and 4 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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