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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 Manchester

Manchester · QS World #40

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

Manchester

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs University of Manchester at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Manchester both teach 74 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Physics and Mathematics. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Manchester offers 1,041 courses across 116 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Cardiff University is about £1,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Cardiff University is about £850 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Manchester is higher in 20 and Cardiff University in 14, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £44,000 from University of Manchester. Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 20 and University of Manchester in 10, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#40
#201
THE World
#56
#34
Guardian UK
#29
1883
Established
1824
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 Manchester

86.3%
85.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£36,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
80%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
40%

International

International student share

362
1041

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
6

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

Manchester

120 countries · 40% international

  • 🇨🇳China51%
  • 🇮🇳India7.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia3.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

74 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 Manchester

Also taught at both: Clinical Specialities, Public Health & Epidemiology, Statistics, Computer Science, Medicine, Planning & Housing, Mechanical Engineering, Nursing (General), Biological Sciences (General), Biomedical Sciences, English Literature, Human Geography & Environment, Environmental Sciences, Linguistics, Architecture, Biomedical Engineering, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Music, Media & Film Studies, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Ancient Languages, Education Studies, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General), Accounting, Asian Languages & Studies, Design & Fashion, Geography (General), Optometry & Ophthalmics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Philosophy, Archaeology, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Work, Computing & IT, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Midwifery, Software Engineering, English Language, English Studies, Forensic Science, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Theology & Religious Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Adult Nursing, Applied Computing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Children's Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Manchester

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 Manchester
£32,300

Cardiff University is about £1,600 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Manchester
£26,800

Cardiff University is about £850 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 Manchester

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    84%Satisfaction83%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    80%Satisfaction77%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    79%Satisfaction84%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    80%Satisfaction85%

  • Dentistry

    £47,000Salary (3 years)£48,500
    No dataSatisfaction77%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    87%Satisfaction84%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    95%Satisfaction88%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction86%

Showing the 12 largest of 38 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Manchester

Spärck AI Scholarship

£20,780

Deadline: N/A

The Sadler Bursary

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

The Bason Family Bursary

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

The Cowrie Foundation Scholarships

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Accommodation Bursary

£2,050

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Manchester: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £32,300 at University of Manchester: Cardiff University is about £1,600 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £26,800 at University of Manchester: Cardiff University is about £850 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 Manchester?

Both universities teach 74 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Physics, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Management, Chemistry, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Law, Economics, Dentistry, Sociology & Criminology, Geology & Earth Sciences and 62 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Manchester better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £26,500 from University of Manchester. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Cardiff University and 88% at University of Manchester. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Manchester offer more courses?

University of Manchester lists 1,041 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 12 subject areas that University of Manchester does not, including Journalism, Welsh Studies, Social Sciences (General), Toxicology, Medical Imaging, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Technology & Logistics, Building & Construction and 4 more.

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

University of Manchester teaches 42 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Biochemistry, Materials Science, Anatomy & Pathology, Biology, Genetics & Genomics, French, Healthcare Science and 34 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 Manchester1,041 courses · 6 scholarshipsBrowse Courses