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 St Andrews

St Andrews · QS World #115

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.

2/11

Cardiff

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

9/11

St Andrews

scored higher in 9 categories

Quick Verdict

University of St Andrews leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on Russell Group, employment.

Cardiff University vs University of St Andrews at a glance

Cardiff University and University of St Andrews both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being History, Ancient Languages and Economics. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of St Andrews offers 1,157 courses across 64 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £540 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Cardiff University is about £1,250 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of St Andrews is higher in 19 and Cardiff University in 1. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £51,500 from University of St Andrews. Of the 17 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of St Andrews is higher in 14 and Cardiff University in 1, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#115
#201
THE World
#162
#34
Guardian UK
#3
1883
Established
1413
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 St Andrews

86.3%
93.2%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£40,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
74.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
46.1%

International

International student share

362
1157

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
62

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

St Andrews

89 countries · 46.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States42.3%
  • 🇨🇳China9%
  • 🇩🇪Germany4%
  • 🇮🇳India4%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.2%

Subjects

38 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 St Andrews

Also taught at both: Physical Geography & Climate, Law, Human Geography & Environment, Physics, Finance & Actuarial Science, Medicine, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Statistics, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Asian Languages & Studies, Education Studies, English Literature, Business Studies, Computing & IT, Software Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies, Creative Writing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Environmental Sciences, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of St Andrews

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 St Andrews
£30,160

University of St Andrews is about £540 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of St Andrews
£27,200

Cardiff University is about £1,250 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 St Andrews

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Ancient Languages

    £25,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    83%Satisfaction100%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£39,000
    80%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£36,500
    84%Satisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    88%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£51,500
    70%Satisfaction93%

  • Theology & Religious Studies

    £22,000Salary (3 years)£24,500
    97%Satisfaction97%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Geography (General)

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£37,500
    79%SatisfactionNo data

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    91%Satisfaction94%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£28,500
    95%Satisfaction97%

Showing the 12 largest of 20 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of St Andrews

Applied Environmental Sciences MSc Awards - Women in Mining (WIM) UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Environmental Science MSc Awards - The Cunningham Scholarship UK

100%

Deadline: Jun 2026

Masters funding in Digital Health and Care

£10,000

Deadline: Jun 2026

School of Modern Languages Masters Scholarship

100%

Deadline: May 2026

University of Jordan Postgraduate Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of St Andrews: common questions

Is Cardiff University or University of St Andrews cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £30,160 at University of St Andrews: University of St Andrews is about £540 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £27,200 at University of St Andrews: Cardiff University is about £1,250 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 St Andrews?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: History, Ancient Languages, Economics, Mathematics, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, English Studies, Theology & Religious Studies, Chemistry, Media & Film Studies, Geography (General), Management and 26 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of St Andrews better for History?

History graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £28,500 from University of St Andrews. Student satisfaction with teaching is 92% at Cardiff University and 97% at University of St Andrews. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of St Andrews offer more courses?

University of St Andrews lists 1,157 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at University of St Andrews?

Cardiff University teaches 48 subject areas that University of St Andrews does not, including Civil Engineering, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Social Sciences (General), Architecture, General Engineering and 40 more.

What can you study at University of St Andrews but not at Cardiff University?

University of St Andrews teaches 26 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including African & Middle Eastern Studies, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Italian, Classical Studies, History of Art & Design, Eastern European Languages, Biology and 18 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 St Andrews1,157 courses · 62 scholarshipsBrowse Courses