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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 Sunderland

Sunderland · Guardian UK #86

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.

7/9

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

2/9

Sunderland

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of Sunderland is ahead on satisfaction, international.

Cardiff University vs University of Sunderland at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Sunderland both teach 44 subject areas, the largest being Law, Computer Science and Chemistry. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Sunderland offers 193 courses across 56 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £13,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £8,950 a year cheaper.

Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 15 and University of Sunderland in 3, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £18,500 from University of Sunderland. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Sunderland is higher in 15 and Cardiff University in 5, 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
#1501
#34
Guardian UK
#86
1883
Established
1901
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 Sunderland

86.3%
89.8%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£24,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
81.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
36.5%

International

International student share

362
193

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

Sunderland

56 countries · 36.5% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.5%
  • 🇮🇳India17.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria16.6%
  • 🇨🇳China7.3%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan6.9%

Subjects

44 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 Sunderland

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Sociology & Criminology, Software Engineering, Accounting, General Engineering, Music, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Marketing, Childhood & Youth Studies, Economics, English Studies, Health & Social Care, Human Resource Management, Nursing (General), Pharmacy, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Education Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Medicine, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Public Relations.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Sunderland

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 Sunderland
£17,500

University of Sunderland is about £13,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Sunderland
£17,000

University of Sunderland is about £8,950 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 Sunderland

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,000
    81%Satisfaction95%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    70%Satisfaction78%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    83%Satisfaction98%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    73%Satisfaction82%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction76%

  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    No dataSatisfaction93%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    87%Satisfaction87%

  • Software Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£25,500
    87%Satisfaction92%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction92%

Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Sunderland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Sunderland: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £17,500 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £13,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,000 at University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland is about £8,950 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 Sunderland?

Both universities teach 44 subject areas: Law, Computer Science, Chemistry, Journalism, Mathematics, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Business Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Finance & Actuarial Science and 32 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Sunderland better for Law?

Law graduates earn a median £24,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £19,000 from University of Sunderland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 81% at Cardiff University and 95% at University of Sunderland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Sunderland offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Sunderland lists 193 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 42 subject areas that University of Sunderland does not, including Civil Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Politics & International Relations, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages and 34 more.

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

University of Sunderland teaches 12 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Biochemistry, Fine Art, Performing Arts (General), Teacher Training, Agriculture & Land Management, Applied & General Science and 4 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 Sunderland193 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses