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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 Liverpool

Liverpool · QS World #139

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

Liverpool

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs University of Liverpool at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Liverpool both teach 63 subject areas, the largest being Music, Politics & International Relations and Sociology & Criminology. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Liverpool offers 793 courses across 94 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Cardiff University is about £1,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: Cardiff University is about £4,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 39 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 28 and University of Liverpool in 9, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £39,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £27,500 from University of Liverpool. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Liverpool is higher in 17 and Cardiff University in 16, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#139
#201
THE World
#143
#34
Guardian UK
#28
1883
Established
1881
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
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 Liverpool

86.3%
87.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£34,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
79.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
24.1%

International

International student share

362
793

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
2

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

Liverpool

93 countries · 24.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China40.6%
  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.3%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.1%

Subjects

63 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 Liverpool

Also taught at both: Philosophy, Business & Management (General), Economics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, English Literature, Management, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Finance & Actuarial Science, Physical Geography & Climate, Architecture, Biological Sciences (General), Accounting, Ancient Languages, Psychology (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, English Language, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Planning & Housing, Software Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Specialities, Computing & IT, Dentistry, Marketing, Medicine, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Medical Imaging, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Geography (General), Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Nursing (General), Pharmacology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Applied Computing, Design & Fashion, Environmental Sciences.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Liverpool

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 Liverpool
£32,000

Cardiff University is about £1,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Liverpool
£30,000

Cardiff University is about £4,050 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 Liverpool

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    93%Satisfaction91%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£23,500
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Archaeology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    91%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£32,500
    70%Satisfaction77%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    No dataSatisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£28,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    94%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 39 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Liverpool

Liverpool Advancement Scholarship

£5,000

Deadline: N/A

Postgraduate Opportunity Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Liverpool: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £32,000 at University of Liverpool: Cardiff University is about £1,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £30,000 at University of Liverpool: Cardiff University is about £4,050 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 Liverpool?

Both universities teach 63 subject areas: Music, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Mathematics, Law, Archaeology, History, Computer Science, Asian Languages & Studies, Media & Film Studies, Physics, Chemistry and 51 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Liverpool better for Music?

Music graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £19,000 from University of Liverpool. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Cardiff University and 91% at University of Liverpool. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Liverpool offer more courses?

University of Liverpool lists 793 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 23 subject areas that University of Liverpool does not, including Journalism, Welsh Studies, Social Sciences (General), Toxicology, Forensic Science, Social Work, Statistics, Technology & Logistics and 15 more.

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

University of Liverpool teaches 31 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Classical Studies, French, Italian, German & Scandinavian Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Irish Studies, Aerospace Engineering, Biology and 23 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 Liverpool793 courses · 2 scholarshipsBrowse Courses