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 Strathclyde

Glasgow · QS World #230

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.

3/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

Strathclyde

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Strathclyde leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, established, satisfaction, employment, international, graduate salary, courses). Cardiff University is ahead on ranking, Russell Group.

Cardiff University vs University of Strathclyde at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Strathclyde both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Law, Mathematics and Civil Engineering. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Strathclyde offers 541 courses across 67 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £22,750 at University of Strathclyde: University of Strathclyde is about £7,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £30,250 at University of Strathclyde: Cardiff University is about £4,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 10 and University of Strathclyde in 9, with 3 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £40,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £26,000 from University of Strathclyde. Of the 20 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Strathclyde is higher in 15 and Cardiff University in 4, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#230
#201
THE World
#351
#34
Guardian UK
#25
1883
Established
1796
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 Strathclyde

86.3%
89.6%

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%
84%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
18.8%

International

International student share

362
541

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

Strathclyde

86 countries · 18.8% international

  • 🇮🇳India31%
  • 🇨🇳China10.5%
  • 🌐Kuwait4.4%
  • 🇺🇸United States4.1%
  • 🌐Oman3.8%

Subjects

49 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 Strathclyde

Also taught at both: General Engineering, Business Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Business & Management (General), Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics, Psychology (General), Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Marketing, Media & Film Studies, Statistics, Biomedical Engineering, Architecture, Human Resource Management, Pharmacy, Sociology & Criminology, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Work, Software Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Planning & Housing, Biomedical Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Design & Fashion, Building & Construction, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Forensic Science, Pharmacology, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Strathclyde

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 Strathclyde
£22,750

University of Strathclyde is about £7,950 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Strathclyde
£30,250

Cardiff University is about £4,300 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 Strathclyde

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    81%Satisfaction94%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    84%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,500
    80%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction94%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£33,500
    70%Satisfaction82%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    73%Satisfaction76%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£34,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    91%Satisfaction90%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£32,000
    88%Satisfaction93%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Strathclyde

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Strathclyde: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £22,750 at University of Strathclyde: University of Strathclyde is about £7,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £30,250 at University of Strathclyde: Cardiff University is about £4,300 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 Strathclyde?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Law, Mathematics, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Computer Science, English Studies, Physics, Politics & International Relations, Mechanical Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Education Studies, History and 37 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Strathclyde better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £26,500 from University of Strathclyde. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 94% at University of Strathclyde. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Strathclyde offer more courses?

University of Strathclyde lists 541 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 37 subject areas that University of Strathclyde does not, including Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, English Literature and 29 more.

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

University of Strathclyde teaches 18 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Teacher Training, French, Chemical Engineering, Naval Architecture, Personal & Professional Development, Social Policy & Public Policy, Biochemistry, Hospitality, Events & Tourism and 10 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 Strathclyde541 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses