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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 Lancashire

Preston · QS World #1001

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

Lancashire

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Lancashire leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, employment, international, courses, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, graduate salary.

Cardiff University vs University of Lancashire at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Lancashire both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Civil Engineering. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Lancashire offers 363 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,330 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £13,370 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £19,250 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £6,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 32 and University of Lancashire in 2. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £39,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £23,000 from University of Lancashire. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Lancashire is higher in 19 and Cardiff University in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#1001
#201
THE World
#1001
#34
Guardian UK
#76
1883
Established
1828
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 Lancashire

86.3%
86.8%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£28,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
83.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
20.5%

International

International student share

362
363

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
15

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

Lancashire

74 countries · 20.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.3%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates9.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria8%
  • 🌐Nepal6.6%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.4%

Subjects

60 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 Lancashire

Also taught at both: Social Work, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Design & Fashion, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Ancient Languages, Architecture, Adult Nursing, Building & Construction, Dentistry, General Engineering, Software Engineering, Asian Languages & Studies, Biomedical Sciences, English Literature, Film Production & Cinematography, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mental Health Nursing, Archaeology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Education Studies, Forensic Science, History, English Language, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Media & Film Studies, Midwifery, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Creative Writing, English Studies, Marketing, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Technology & Logistics, Applied Computing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Nursing (General), Pharmacology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Children's Nursing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Lancashire

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 Lancashire
£17,330

University of Lancashire is about £13,370 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Lancashire
£19,250

University of Lancashire is about £6,700 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 Lancashire

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    70%Satisfaction71%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    80%Satisfaction79%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    79%Satisfaction71%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    73%Satisfaction88%

  • Medicine

    £47,000Salary (3 years)No data
    88%Satisfaction71%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%Satisfaction98%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    83%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 35 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Lancashire

Fee Waiver Scholarship for Sanctuary Seekers

100%

Deadline: N/A

Care-experienced and Estranged Student Graduation Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

Degree Apprentice Care Leaver Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Estranged Student Support

See details

Deadline: N/A

Journalism Innovation and Leadership PGCert Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Lancashire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,330 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £13,370 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £19,250 at University of Lancashire: University of Lancashire is about £6,700 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 Lancashire?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Management, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Mechanical Engineering, Medicine, Music, Social Sciences (General), Journalism, Manufacturing & Production Engineering and 48 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Lancashire better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £21,000 from University of Lancashire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 87% at University of Lancashire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Lancashire offer more courses?

University of Lancashire lists 363 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 26 subject areas that University of Lancashire does not, including Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Politics & International Relations, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Engineering and 18 more.

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

University of Lancashire teaches 22 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Games Design & Computer Animation, Safety & Mining Engineering, Animal Science, Chemical Engineering, Fine Art and 14 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 Lancashire363 courses · 15 scholarshipsBrowse Courses