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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 Leicester

Leicester · QS World #314

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.

7/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Leicester

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of Leicester is ahead on ranking, international, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University of Leicester at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Leicester both teach 60 subject areas, the largest being Law, Biological Sciences (General) and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Leicester offers 351 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £25,100 at University of Leicester: University of Leicester is about £5,600 a year cheaper.

Of the 37 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 17 and University of Leicester in 13, with 7 about level. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £39,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £32,500 from University of Leicester. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Leicester is higher in 19 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
#314
#201
THE World
#192
#34
Guardian UK
#30
1883
Established
1921
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Cardiff University

University of Leicester

86.3%
86.2%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£35,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
79%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
19.3%

International

International student share

362
351

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
28

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

Leicester

81 countries · 19.3% international

  • 🇮🇳India36.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada14.8%
  • 🇨🇳China9.4%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.9%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates1.9%

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 Leicester

Also taught at both: Journalism, Management, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Geography & Environment, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Psychology (General), Economics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Literature, Software Engineering, Accounting, Archaeology, English Studies, Business Studies, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Applied Psychology, Geography (General), Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Medicine, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Pharmacy, Adult Nursing, Applied Computing, Biomedical Sciences, Forensic Science, Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Linguistics, Midwifery, Public Relations.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Leicester

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 Leicester
£25,100

University of Leicester is about £5,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Leicester
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Leicester 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 Leicester

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    70%Satisfaction83%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    84%Satisfaction79%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction92%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction96%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction82%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    95%Satisfaction96%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    83%Satisfaction97%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction83%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    73%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 37 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Leicester

International Undergraduate Tuition Fee Waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

ULSB International Deans Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Leicester-King Power Thai Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Merit Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Leicester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £25,100 at University of Leicester: University of Leicester is about £5,600 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 Leicester?

Both universities teach 60 subject areas: Law, Biological Sciences (General), Computer Science, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Business & Management (General), Physics, Civil Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Ancient Languages and 48 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Leicester better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £25,000 from University of Leicester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 85% at University of Leicester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Leicester offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Leicester lists 351 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 26 subject areas that University of Leicester does not, including Welsh Studies, Architecture, Clinical Specialities, Music, Computing & IT, Philosophy, Planning & Housing, Dentistry and 18 more.

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

University of Leicester teaches 12 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Information & Library Studies, Classical Studies, Genetics & Genomics, History of Art & Design, Anatomy & Pathology, Biochemistry, Business Information Systems and 4 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 Leicester351 courses · 28 scholarshipsBrowse Courses