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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 Plymouth

Plymouth · QS World #691

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

7/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

4/11

Plymouth

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Plymouth is ahead on established, satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University of Plymouth at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Plymouth both teach 59 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Plymouth offers 310 courses across 78 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £11,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £6,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 33 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 28 and University of Plymouth in 4, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £24,000 from University of Plymouth. Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Plymouth is higher in 19 and Cardiff University in 12.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#691
#201
THE World
#501
#34
Guardian UK
#56
1883
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
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 Plymouth

86.3%
86.6%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£30,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
84.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
11.9%

International

International student share

362
310

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
10

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

Plymouth

71 countries · 11.9% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria14.6%
  • 🇨🇳China12.2%
  • 🇮🇳India11%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka3.3%

Subjects

59 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 Plymouth

Also taught at both: Biological Sciences (General), Design & Fashion, Biomedical Sciences, Business Studies, Dentistry, Social Sciences (General), Adult Nursing, Architecture, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Accounting, Economics, English Studies, History, Software Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Music, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Statistics, Building & Construction, Children's Nursing, Environmental Sciences, Film Production & Cinematography, Medical Imaging, Midwifery, Creative Writing, Education Studies, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Technology & Logistics, Childhood & Youth Studies, Geography (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Medicine, Nursing (General), Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Plymouth

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 Plymouth
£19,200

University of Plymouth is about £11,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Plymouth
£19,500

University of Plymouth is about £6,450 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 Plymouth

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    80%Satisfaction94%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    95%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    70%Satisfaction72%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    79%SatisfactionNo data

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    94%Satisfaction97%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    89%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    86%Satisfaction84%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    82%Satisfaction85%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    73%Satisfaction90%

Showing the 12 largest of 33 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Plymouth

GREAT Scholarships

£10,000

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

International Undergraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£6,000

Deadline: N/A

Tamar Engineering Project

£4,500

Deadline: Jun 2026

International Postgraduate Welcome to Plymouth Scholarship

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Plymouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £19,200 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £11,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £19,500 at University of Plymouth: University of Plymouth is about £6,450 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 Plymouth?

Both universities teach 59 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Geology & Earth Sciences, Law, Computer Science, Mathematics, Business & Management (General), Management, Chemistry, Politics & International Relations, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General), Human Geography & Environment and 47 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Plymouth better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £29,500 from University of Plymouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff University and 94% at University of Plymouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Plymouth offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Plymouth lists 310 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 27 subject areas that University of Plymouth does not, including Journalism, Welsh Studies, Physics, Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Clinical Specialities, English Literature, Computing & IT and 19 more.

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

University of Plymouth teaches 19 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Ecology & Conservation, Nutrition & Dietetics, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Marine Engineering & Technology, Agriculture & Land Management, Clinical & Health Psychology, Complementary & Alternative Medicine, Games Design & Computer Animation and 11 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 Plymouth310 courses · 10 scholarshipsBrowse Courses