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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 Stirling

Stirling · QS World #560

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.

9/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

1/10

Stirling

scored higher in 1 category

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 9 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of Stirling is ahead on international.

Cardiff University vs University of Stirling at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Stirling both teach 41 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Mathematics and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Stirling offers 254 courses across 60 subject areas.

Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 15 and University of Stirling in 2, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Finance & Actuarial Science: £31,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £25,000 from University of Stirling. Of the 19 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Stirling is higher in 10 and Cardiff University in 8, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#560
#201
THE World
#501
#34
Guardian UK
#50
1883
Established
1967
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 Stirling

86.3%
85%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£31,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
80.5%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
18.4%

International

International student share

362
254

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
0

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

Stirling

75 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇮🇳India17.1%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan15%
  • 🇺🇸United States13.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.6%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria5.8%

Subjects

41 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 Stirling

Also taught at both: Physical Geography & Climate, Economics, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General), Business & Management (General), Environmental Sciences, Philosophy, Marketing, Planning & Housing, Human Resource Management, Software Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Education Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Theology & Religious Studies, Applied Computing, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Linguistics, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Public Health & Epidemiology, Public Relations.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Stirling

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 Stirling
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Stirling yet.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Stirling
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of Stirling yet.

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 Stirling

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction93%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    84%Satisfaction73%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    81%Satisfaction86%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    86%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction86%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    70%Satisfaction68%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    88%Satisfaction85%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    79%Satisfaction82%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    No dataSatisfaction84%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£25,000
    81%Satisfaction75%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Stirling

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Stirling: common questions

What subjects can you study at both Cardiff University and University of Stirling?

Both universities teach 41 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Mathematics, Law, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, Computer Science, Business Studies, Accounting, Journalism, History, Management, Media & Film Studies and 29 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Stirling better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £22,500 from University of Stirling. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Cardiff University and 93% at University of Stirling. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Stirling offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Stirling lists 254 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 45 subject areas that University of Stirling does not, including Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Ancient Languages and 37 more.

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

University of Stirling teaches 19 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including French, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Biology, Ecology & Conservation, Humanities, Publishing, Spanish & Portuguese 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 Stirling254 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses