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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 Leeds

Leeds · QS World #77

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

Leeds

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs University of Leeds at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Leeds both teach 70 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Physics and Chemistry. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Leeds offers 579 courses across 110 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Cardiff University is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Cardiff University is about £5,550 a year cheaper.

Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Leeds is higher in 27 and Cardiff University in 8, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £42,000 from University of Leeds. Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 21 and University of Leeds in 14, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#77
#201
THE World
#118
#34
Guardian UK
#15
1883
Established
1904
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
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 Leeds

86.3%
85.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
82.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
31.5%

International

International student share

362
579

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
13

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

Leeds

105 countries · 31.5% international

  • 🇨🇳China49.5%
  • 🇮🇳India9.6%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.9%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.8%

Subjects

70 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 Leeds

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Ancient Languages, Design & Fashion, History, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Education Studies, Journalism, English Literature, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Asian Languages & Studies, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Medical Imaging, Theology & Religious Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Dentistry, English Studies, General Engineering, Linguistics, Architecture, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Marketing, Planning & Housing, Psychology (General), Human Resource Management, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy, Software Engineering, Statistics, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Health & Social Care, Medicine, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, English Language, Film Production & Cinematography, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Public Relations, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Leeds

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 Leeds
£33,700

Cardiff University is about £3,000 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Leeds
£31,500

Cardiff University is about £5,550 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 Leeds

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    80%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

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

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£42,000
    70%Satisfaction79%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,500
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    79%Satisfaction83%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    87%Satisfaction82%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£36,000
    80%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    92%Satisfaction92%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction81%

Showing the 12 largest of 40 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Leeds

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Gazan Humanitarian Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Community Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Leeds: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £33,700 at University of Leeds: Cardiff University is about £3,000 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £31,500 at University of Leeds: Cardiff University is about £5,550 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 Leeds?

Both universities teach 70 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, Law, Politics & International Relations, Management, Business Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and 58 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Leeds better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £31,000 from University of Leeds. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff University and 89% at University of Leeds. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Leeds offer more courses?

University of Leeds lists 579 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 16 subject areas that University of Leeds does not, including Welsh Studies, Accounting, Clinical Specialities, Computing & IT, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Archaeology, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Toxicology and 8 more.

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

University of Leeds teaches 40 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Personal & Professional Development, Drama & Theatre, Natural Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics, Social Policy & Public Policy, Zoology & Animal Biology, Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering and 32 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 Leeds579 courses · 13 scholarshipsBrowse Courses