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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 Hertfordshire

Hatfield · QS World #851

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

VS

4/10

Hertfordshire

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 6 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, graduate salary). University of Hertfordshire is ahead on satisfaction, employment, international, courses.

Cardiff University vs University of Hertfordshire at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Hertfordshire both teach 67 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Hertfordshire offers 468 courses across 86 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £15,500 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £15,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,000 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £7,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 14 and University of Hertfordshire in 12, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £39,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £30,000 from University of Hertfordshire. Of the 30 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Hertfordshire is higher in 16 and Cardiff University in 13, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#851
#201
THE World
#601
#34
Guardian UK
#69
1883
Established
1952
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 Hertfordshire

86.3%
86.4%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£32,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
83.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
57.5%

International

International student share

362
468

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
0

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

Hertfordshire

77 countries · 57.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India44.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan26.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria10.3%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.5%
  • 🇨🇳China1.8%

Subjects

67 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 Hertfordshire

Also taught at both: Human Geography & Environment, Music, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, General Engineering, Journalism, Marketing, Welsh Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Architecture, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Human Resource Management, Pharmacy, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Biomedical Sciences, Philosophy, Software Engineering, Technology & Logistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biomedical Engineering, Building & Construction, Geography (General), Health & Social Care, History, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Public Health & Epidemiology, Social Work, Computing & IT, Economics, Mental Health Nursing, Optometry & Ophthalmics, English Language, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Nursing (General), Public Relations, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Education Studies, Medical Imaging, Medicine, Pharmacology, Statistics, Adult Nursing, Applied Computing, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Midwifery.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Hertfordshire

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 Hertfordshire
£15,500

University of Hertfordshire is about £15,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Hertfordshire
£18,000

University of Hertfordshire is about £7,950 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 Hertfordshire

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    70%Satisfaction78%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction85%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    80%Satisfaction88%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    86%Satisfaction86%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    73%Satisfaction67%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Astronomy & Astrophysics

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    No dataSatisfaction77%

Showing the 12 largest of 32 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Hertfordshire

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Hertfordshire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £15,500 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £15,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,000 at University of Hertfordshire: University of Hertfordshire is about £7,950 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 Hertfordshire?

Both universities teach 67 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, Computer Science, Law, Business & Management (General), Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Civil Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 55 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Hertfordshire better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £32,000 from University of Hertfordshire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 78% at University of Hertfordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Hertfordshire offer more courses?

University of Hertfordshire lists 468 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 19 subject areas that University of Hertfordshire does not, including Chemistry, Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Planning & Housing, Archaeology and 11 more.

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

University of Hertfordshire teaches 19 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Biology, Clinical & Health Psychology, Community & Specialist Nursing, Ecology & Conservation and 11 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 Hertfordshire468 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses