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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 Northampton

Northampton · QS World #1201

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.

8/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Northampton

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs University of Northampton at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Northampton both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Law and Business & Management (General). Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Northampton offers 221 courses across 60 subject areas.

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £19,000 at University of Northampton: University of Northampton is about £6,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 21 and University of Northampton in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £40,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £28,500 from University of Northampton. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Northampton is higher in 10 and Cardiff University in 9, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#1201
#201
THE World
#1501
#34
Guardian UK
#93
1883
Established
1975
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 Northampton

86.3%
86%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£29,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
82.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
16.4%

International

International student share

362
221

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
0

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

Northampton

35 countries · 16.4% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan27%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria18.2%
  • 🇮🇳India14.2%
  • 🌐Nepal8.3%
  • 🇬🇭Ghana4.1%

Subjects

44 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 Northampton

Also taught at both: Counselling & Psychotherapy, Education Studies, General Engineering, Marketing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies, Human Resource Management, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computing & IT, History, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, English Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Mental Health Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Environmental Sciences, Health & Social Care, Nursing (General), Pharmacology, Technology & Logistics, Children's Nursing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Midwifery, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Northampton

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 Northampton
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Northampton yet.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Northampton
£19,000

University of Northampton is about £6,950 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 Northampton

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    70%Satisfaction75%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction81%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    83%Satisfaction93%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    73%Satisfaction78%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£22,000
    86%Satisfaction72%

  • Biological Sciences (General)

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    81%Satisfaction83%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction98%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    86%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 24 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Northampton

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Northampton: common questions

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

For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £19,000 at University of Northampton: University of Northampton is about £6,950 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 Northampton?

Both universities teach 44 subject areas: Computer Science, Law, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Journalism, Mechanical Engineering, Psychology (General), Biological Sciences (General), Music, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting and 32 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Northampton better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £26,000 from University of Northampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 75% at University of Northampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Northampton offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Northampton lists 221 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 42 subject areas that University of Northampton does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Physics and 34 more.

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

University of Northampton teaches 16 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biochemistry, Business Information Systems, Clinical & Health Psychology and 8 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 Northampton221 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses