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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 South Wales

Pontypridd · QS World #1201

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

South Wales

scored higher in 4 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs University of South Wales at a glance

Cardiff University and University of South Wales both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being Law, Psychology (General) and Business & Management (General). Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of South Wales offers 331 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £14,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £8,050 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 20 and University of South Wales in 0, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £19,500 from University of South Wales. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of South Wales is higher in 11 and Cardiff University in 9, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#1201
#201
THE World
#1201
#34
Guardian UK
#83
1883
Established
1913
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Cardiff University

University of South Wales

86.3%
86.7%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£27,400

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
22%

International

International student share

362
331

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
23

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

South Wales

71 countries · 22% international

  • 🇳🇬Nigeria17.6%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh16.6%
  • 🇮🇳India16.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15.7%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka6.6%

Subjects

44 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 South Wales

Also taught at both: Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Music, Politics & International Relations, Social Sciences (General), Software Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Forensic Science, Media & Film Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Marketing, Education Studies, Health & Social Care, History, Applied Computing, Biomedical Sciences, Human Resource Management, Social Work, English Studies, Midwifery, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Specialist Clinical Nursing, Statistics, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of South Wales

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 South Wales
£16,200

University of South Wales is about £14,500 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of South Wales
£17,900

University of South Wales is about £8,050 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 South Wales

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    81%Satisfaction96%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    70%Satisfaction90%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    94%Satisfaction84%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    79%Satisfaction94%

  • Mechanical Engineering

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

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    86%Satisfaction98%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%Satisfaction71%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    89%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 22 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of South Wales

USW Postgraduate Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

USW Postgraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2027/2028

100%

Deadline: Jul 2027

USW Refugee Sanctuary Scheme

100%

Deadline: N/A

Undergraduate Sanctuary Scholarship 2026/2027

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of South Wales: common questions

Is Cardiff University or University of South Wales cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,200 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £14,500 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,900 at University of South Wales: University of South Wales is about £8,050 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 South Wales?

Both universities teach 44 subject areas: Law, Psychology (General), Business & Management (General), Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Nursing (General), Building & Construction, Design & Fashion and 32 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of South Wales better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £20,000 from University of South Wales. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 96% at University of South Wales. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of South Wales offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of South Wales lists 331 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at University of South Wales?

Cardiff University teaches 42 subject areas that University of South Wales does not, including Mathematics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Architecture and 34 more.

What can you study at University of South Wales but not at Cardiff University?

University of South Wales teaches 19 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Healthcare Science, Aerospace Engineering, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Community & Specialist Nursing, Biology, Drama & Theatre, 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 South Wales331 courses · 23 scholarshipsBrowse Courses