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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 Staffordshire

Stoke-on-Trent · Guardian UK #92

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 10 datapoints

We looked at 10 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

8/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 8 categories

VS

2/10

Staffordshire

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses). University of Staffordshire is ahead on employment, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University of Staffordshire at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Staffordshire both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Law, Business & Management (General) and Design & Fashion. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Staffordshire offers 287 courses across 52 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,090 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £13,610 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,500 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £8,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 18 and University of Staffordshire in 0, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Accounting: £28,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £20,000 from University of Staffordshire. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 7 and University of Staffordshire in 7, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
—
#201
THE World
#1201
#34
Guardian UK
#92
1883
Established
1914
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 Staffordshire

86.3%
83%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£26,300

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
87.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
4.1%

International

International student share

362
287

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
1

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

Staffordshire

26 countries · 4.1% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan29.8%
  • 🇮🇳India19.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria9.2%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka5.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh2.8%

Subjects

39 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 Staffordshire

Also taught at both: Applied Computing, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Forensic Science, Music, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Education Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Business Studies, Health & Social Care, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Adult Nursing, History, Children's Nursing, Human Resource Management, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Biotechnology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Midwifery, Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Staffordshire

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 Staffordshire
£17,090

University of Staffordshire is about £13,610 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Staffordshire
£17,500

University of Staffordshire is about £8,450 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 Staffordshire

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction84%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    70%Satisfaction75%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    80%Satisfaction100%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,500
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    73%Satisfaction85%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    83%Satisfaction80%

  • Software Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    87%Satisfaction74%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    92%Satisfaction93%

  • Forensic Science

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£17,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Staffordshire

Smart Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

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FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Staffordshire: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,090 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £13,610 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,500 at University of Staffordshire: University of Staffordshire is about £8,450 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 Staffordshire?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Law, Business & Management (General), Design & Fashion, Computer Science, Psychology (General), Civil Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Management, Sociology & Criminology, Mechanical Engineering, Politics & International Relations, General Engineering and 27 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Staffordshire better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £21,000 from University of Staffordshire. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 84% at University of Staffordshire. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Staffordshire offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Staffordshire lists 287 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 47 subject areas that University of Staffordshire does not, including Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physics and 39 more.

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

University of Staffordshire teaches 13 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Games Design & Computer Animation, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, Fine Art, Teacher Training, Clinical & Health Psychology, Creative Arts (General), Biochemistry and 5 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 Staffordshire287 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses