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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 Salford

Salford · QS World #1001

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.

8/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

3/11

Salford

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 8 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, graduate salary, courses). University of Salford is ahead on employment, international, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University of Salford at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Salford both teach 56 subject areas, the largest being Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Salford offers 305 courses across 72 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £13,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £8,240 a year cheaper.

Of the 31 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 28 and University of Salford in 2, with 1 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £21,000 from University of Salford. Of the 29 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 13 and University of Salford in 13, with 3 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#1001
#201
THE World
#801
#34
Guardian UK
#82
1883
Established
1896
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 Salford

86.3%
85.2%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£28,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
82.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
19.1%

International

International student share

362
305

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

Salford

63 countries · 19.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India34.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria27.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan12.9%
  • 🌐Kuwait3.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.6%

Subjects

56 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 Salford

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Architecture, Psychology (General), Social Sciences (General), Welsh Studies, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Music, Physical Geography & Climate, Biomedical Sciences, Finance & Actuarial Science, Media & Film Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, English Literature, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Accounting, Biomedical Engineering, Midwifery, Nursing (General), Software Engineering, Philosophy, Social Work, Applied Psychology, History, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Technology & Logistics, Applied Computing, Creative Writing, Geography (General), Human Resource Management, Medical Imaging, Mental Health Nursing, Public Relations, Adult Nursing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Children's Nursing, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Public Health & Epidemiology, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Salford

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 Salford
£17,040

University of Salford is about £13,660 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Salford
£17,710

University of Salford is about £8,240 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 Salford

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    80%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    70%Satisfaction76%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    81%Satisfaction81%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    84%Satisfaction89%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    82%Satisfaction85%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    94%Satisfaction98%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    87%Satisfaction80%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    73%Satisfaction79%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    89%Satisfaction89%

Showing the 12 largest of 31 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Salford

Salford/International Nursing College Scholarships

£8,160

Deadline: N/A

Salford/EATL Data Science Scholarships

£7,100

Deadline: N/A

Global Gold Excellence Scholarship

£3,500

Deadline: N/A

Global Silver Excellence Scholarship

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

IFY Excellence Scholarship

£2,500

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Salford: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,040 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £13,660 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,710 at University of Salford: University of Salford is about £8,240 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 Salford?

Both universities teach 56 subject areas: Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Business Studies, Law, Mathematics, Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Physics, Building & Construction and 44 more.

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

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £27,500 from University of Salford. Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff University and 84% at University of Salford. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Salford offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Salford lists 305 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 30 subject areas that University of Salford does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, General Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Computing & IT, Economics and 22 more.

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

University of Salford teaches 16 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Drama & Theatre, Aerospace Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biochemistry, Business Information Systems, Dance, Fine Art 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 Salford305 courses · 5 scholarshipsBrowse Courses