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 Portsmouth

Portsmouth · QS World #662

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.

5/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

6/11

Portsmouth

scored higher in 6 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Portsmouth leads in 6 of 11 categories where both have data (established, satisfaction, employment, international, courses, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, graduate salary.

Cardiff University vs University of Portsmouth at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Portsmouth both teach 61 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Management and Politics & International Relations. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Portsmouth offers 446 courses across 84 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £12,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £7,350 a year cheaper.

Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 23 and University of Portsmouth in 8, with 5 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £40,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £30,500 from University of Portsmouth. Of the 34 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Portsmouth is higher in 17 and Cardiff University in 15, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#662
#201
THE World
#401
#34
Guardian UK
#55
1883
Established
1869
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 Portsmouth

86.3%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£32,100

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
84.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
24.5%

International

International student share

362
446

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

Portsmouth

96 countries · 24.5% international

  • 🇮🇳India22.1%
  • 🇨🇳China11.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.8%
  • 🌐Kuwait7.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan5.6%

Subjects

61 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 Portsmouth

Also taught at both: Journalism, Design & Fashion, Ancient Languages, Architecture, Economics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Physics, Social Sciences (General), English Literature, Finance & Actuarial Science, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Music, Physical Geography & Climate, Psychology (General), Astronomy & Astrophysics, History, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Engineering, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Dentistry, English Language, Software Engineering, Computing & IT, Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Social Work, Applied Computing, Biomedical Sciences, Linguistics, Pharmacy, Planning & Housing, Adult Nursing, Applied Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology, Environmental Sciences, Medical Imaging, Nursing (General), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Biotechnology, Pharmacology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Portsmouth

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 Portsmouth
£17,900

University of Portsmouth is about £12,800 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Portsmouth
£18,600

University of Portsmouth is about £7,350 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 Portsmouth

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    70%Satisfaction82%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    79%Satisfaction87%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    81%Satisfaction88%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    92%Satisfaction84%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    73%Satisfaction83%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction84%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    91%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 36 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Portsmouth

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

Estée Lauder Companies - Whitman Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Portsmouth Football Club Partnership Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Language Bursary

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Portsmouth: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,900 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £12,800 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,600 at University of Portsmouth: University of Portsmouth is about £7,350 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 Portsmouth?

Both universities teach 61 subject areas: Computer Science, Management, Politics & International Relations, Sociology & Criminology, Law, Civil Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, General Engineering and 49 more.

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

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £25,500 from University of Portsmouth. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 82% at University of Portsmouth. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Portsmouth offer more courses?

University of Portsmouth lists 446 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 25 subject areas that University of Portsmouth does not, including Chemistry, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Clinical Specialities, Philosophy, Archaeology, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Toxicology and 17 more.

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

University of Portsmouth teaches 23 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Social Policy & Public Policy, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, International Development, Applied & General Science, Dental Nursing and 15 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 Portsmouth446 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses