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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 Oxford

Oxford · QS World #4

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

Oxford

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Oxford 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 Oxford at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Oxford both teach 54 subject areas, the largest being History, Childhood & Youth Studies and English Studies. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Oxford offers 642 courses across 79 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £43,600 at University of Oxford: Cardiff University is about £12,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £38,430 at University of Oxford: Cardiff University is about £12,480 a year cheaper.

Of the 18 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Oxford is higher in 17 and Cardiff University in 1. The widest gap is in Law: £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £52,500 from University of Oxford. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Oxford is higher in 11 and Cardiff University in 4, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#4
#201
THE World
#1
#34
Guardian UK
#1
1883
Established
1096
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 Oxford

86.3%
92.5%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£50,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
76.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
37.2%

International

International student share

362
642

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
1

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

Oxford

118 countries · 37.2% international

  • 🇨🇳China18.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States16.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%
  • 🇮🇳India5.2%
  • 🇨🇦Canada4.6%

Subjects

54 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 Oxford

Also taught at both: Theology & Religious Studies, Welsh Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Economics, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Management, Music, Social Sciences (General), Sociology & Criminology, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Philosophy, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General), Archaeology, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Sciences, English Literature, Social Work, Statistics, Business Studies, Computing & IT, Software Engineering, Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, English Language, Medicine, Pharmacology, Celtic Studies, Media & Film Studies, Design & Fashion, Education Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Geography (General), Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Oxford

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 Oxford
£43,600

Cardiff University is about £12,900 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Oxford
£38,430

Cardiff University is about £12,480 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 Oxford

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    92%Satisfaction96%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£52,500
    81%SatisfactionNo data

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£38,500
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£51,500
    70%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£43,000
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    84%Satisfaction91%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£43,000
    94%Satisfaction85%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£32,500
    97%Satisfaction97%

  • Asian Languages & Studies

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    95%Satisfaction90%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£46,000
    80%Satisfaction93%

Showing the 12 largest of 18 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Oxford

The Rhodes Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Oxford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £43,600 at University of Oxford: Cardiff University is about £12,900 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £38,430 at University of Oxford: Cardiff University is about £12,480 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 Oxford?

Both universities teach 54 subject areas: History, Childhood & Youth Studies, English Studies, Law, Politics & International Relations, Ancient Languages, Computer Science, Physics, General Engineering, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Clinical Specialities and 42 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Oxford better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £33,000 from University of Oxford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Cardiff University and 96% at University of Oxford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Oxford offer more courses?

University of Oxford lists 642 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 32 subject areas that University of Oxford does not, including Journalism, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Accounting, Biomedical Engineering, Planning & Housing, Dentistry and 24 more.

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

University of Oxford teaches 25 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Classical Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Eastern European Languages, German & Scandinavian Studies, French, Italian, African & Middle Eastern Studies, Anthropology and 17 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 Oxford642 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses