Skip to main content

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 Nottingham

Nottingham · QS World #97

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.

1/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 1 category

VS

9/10

Nottingham

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Nottingham leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on employment.

Cardiff University vs University of Nottingham at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Nottingham both teach 68 subject areas, the largest being Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Civil Engineering. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Nottingham offers 580 courses across 98 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Cardiff University is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Cardiff University is about £4,850 a year cheaper.

Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Nottingham is higher in 25 and Cardiff University in 3, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Law: £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £34,000 from University of Nottingham. Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 13 and University of Nottingham 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
#97
#201
THE World
#145
#34
Guardian UK
#21
1883
Established
1881
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 Nottingham

86.3%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£40,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
79.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
21.1%

International

International student share

362
580

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
5

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

Nottingham

98 countries · 21.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China42.6%
  • 🇮🇳India9%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia4.4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4%
  • 🇹🇷Turkey2.7%

Subjects

68 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 Nottingham

Also taught at both: Economics, Psychology (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Clinical Specialities, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, History, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Geology & Earth Sciences, Linguistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Welsh Studies, Archaeology, English Studies, Music, Public Health & Epidemiology, Building & Construction, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, General Engineering, Health & Social Care, Pharmacy, Business Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Accounting, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Engineering, English Literature, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Design & Fashion, Pharmacology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Creative Writing, English Language, Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Human Resource Management, Midwifery, Social Work, Statistics, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Geography (General), Marketing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Nottingham

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 Nottingham
£33,000

Cardiff University is about £2,300 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Nottingham
£30,800

Cardiff University is about £4,850 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 Nottingham

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    92%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    70%Satisfaction79%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    80%Satisfaction92%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    82%Satisfaction92%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    79%Satisfaction78%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    73%Satisfaction84%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Nottingham

Taiwan Research Hub PhD Scholarship 2026/27

£11,000

Deadline: N/A

Molson Coors Award

50%

Deadline: N/A

The Witty Entrepreneurial Scholarship

£750

Deadline: N/A

Hillsborough Trust Memorial Bursary

£500

Deadline: N/A

PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Nottingham: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £33,000 at University of Nottingham: Cardiff University is about £2,300 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £30,800 at University of Nottingham: Cardiff University is about £4,850 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 Nottingham?

Both universities teach 68 subject areas: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Mathematics, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, Human Geography & Environment, Philosophy, Law, Management and 56 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Nottingham better for Electronic & Electrical Engineering?

Electronic & Electrical Engineering graduates earn a median £31,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £35,500 from University of Nottingham. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Cardiff University and 86% at University of Nottingham. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Nottingham offer more courses?

University of Nottingham lists 580 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 18 subject areas that University of Nottingham does not, including Journalism, Biological Sciences (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, Planning & Housing, Software Engineering, Dentistry, Optometry & Ophthalmics and 10 more.

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

University of Nottingham teaches 30 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, American & Comparative Studies, Nutrition & Dietetics, Veterinary Medicine, Anatomy & Pathology, Classical Studies, Food Science and 22 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 Nottingham580 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses