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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 Southampton

Southampton · QS World #111

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 9 datapoints

We looked at 9 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

0/9

Cardiff

scored higher in 0 categories

VS

9/9

Southampton

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Southampton leads in 9 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff University does not lead in any category where both have data.

Cardiff University vs University of Southampton at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Southampton both teach 64 subject areas, the largest being General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering and Civil Engineering. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Southampton offers 545 courses across 91 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £4,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Cardiff University is about £5,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 38 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Southampton is higher in 32 and Cardiff University in 6. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £47,000 from University of Southampton. Of the 36 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 20 and University of Southampton in 16.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#111
#201
THE World
#129
#34
Guardian UK
#16
1883
Established
1862
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
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 Southampton

86.3%
87%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£37,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
82.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
35.1%

International

International student share

362
545

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
52

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

Southampton

103 countries · 35.1% international

  • 🇨🇳China63.5%
  • 🇮🇳India4.8%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia2.8%
  • 🇸🇦Saudi Arabia2.6%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong2.5%

Subjects

64 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 Southampton

Also taught at both: Sociology & Criminology, English Literature, Media & Film Studies, Archaeology, History, Economics, Accounting, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Environmental Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Music, Philosophy, Physical Geography & Climate, Software Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Marketing, Psychology (General), Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Architecture, Education Studies, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Statistics, Biomedical Sciences, Children's Nursing, Computing & IT, Health & Social Care, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Medicine, Adult Nursing, Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, English Language, English Studies, Nursing (General), Applied Computing, Human Resource Management, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Southampton

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 Southampton
£26,000

University of Southampton is about £4,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Southampton
£31,200

Cardiff University is about £5,250 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 Southampton

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    83%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    92%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    80%Satisfaction93%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    73%Satisfaction87%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£47,000
    70%Satisfaction80%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    95%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    84%Satisfaction81%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    81%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    94%Satisfaction91%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£26,000
    83%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 38 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Southampton

Horizon Europe fee waiver

100%

Deadline: N/A

Cowrie Foundation Scholarship

£8,000

Deadline: N/A

Xiamen University PhD Scholarships

See details

Deadline: N/A

Sociology Criminology International Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

Southampton Ageing & Gerontology Talent Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Southampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £26,000 at University of Southampton: University of Southampton is about £4,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £31,200 at University of Southampton: Cardiff University is about £5,250 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 Southampton?

Both universities teach 64 subject areas: General Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Computer Science, Finance & Actuarial Science, Geology & Earth Sciences, Physics, Mathematics, Law, Chemistry and 52 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Southampton better for General Engineering?

General Engineering graduates earn a median £32,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £34,500 from University of Southampton. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Cardiff University and 90% at University of Southampton. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Southampton offer more courses?

University of Southampton lists 545 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 22 subject areas that University of Southampton does not, including Journalism, Welsh Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Planning & Housing, Dentistry, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Pharmacy, Toxicology and 14 more.

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

University of Southampton teaches 27 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Aerospace Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Marine Engineering & Technology, Social Policy & Public Policy, Healthcare Science, Clinical & Health Psychology, Community & Specialist Nursing, Biochemistry and 19 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 Southampton545 courses · 52 scholarshipsBrowse Courses