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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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Oban

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

5/8

Cardiff

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

3/8

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 5 of 8 categories where both have data (Russell Group, established, international, graduate salary, courses). University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is ahead on satisfaction, employment, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) at a glance

Cardiff University and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offers 244 courses across 70 subject areas.

Of the 27 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 26 and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) in 1. The widest gap is in Optometry & Ophthalmics: £39,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £14,000 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) is higher in 16 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
—
#201
THE World
—
#34
Guardian UK
—
1883
Established
2011
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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

86.3%
90.2%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£25,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
85%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
2.1%

International

International student share

362
244

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
11

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

Highlands and Islands (UHI)

17 countries · 2.1% international

  • 🇺🇸United States11.1%
  • 🌐Brunei8.3%
  • 🇮🇪Ireland8.3%
  • 🇨🇦Canada5.6%
  • 🇩🇪Germany5.6%

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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Also taught at both: Biological Sciences (General), General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Social Sciences (General), Ancient Languages, Accounting, Architecture, Business & Management (General), Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Business Studies, Health & Social Care, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Design & Fashion, Environmental Sciences, Forensic Science, Optometry & Ophthalmics, Technology & Logistics, Theology & Religious Studies, Building & Construction, English Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Adult Nursing, Creative Writing, Education Studies, Geography (General), Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) yet.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)
No data

We do not have reliable international fee data for University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) 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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    80%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    70%Satisfaction89%

  • Archaeology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£17,000
    92%Satisfaction98%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    82%Satisfaction91%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£13,500
    93%Satisfaction88%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£19,000
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • English Literature

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    92%Satisfaction90%

  • Geology & Earth Sciences

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    95%Satisfaction95%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    87%Satisfaction95%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    91%Satisfaction94%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    89%Satisfaction91%

Showing the 12 largest of 29 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

Barns-Graham Travel Scholarship

£1,500

Deadline: Oct 2026

Scottish Land Commission Prize

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

Barns-Graham Assistance Award

£1,000

Deadline: Oct 2026

Dorothy Dunnett Centenary Awards

£1,000

Deadline: Dec 2026

Rural and Islands Bursary Fund

£1,000

Deadline: Oct 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI): common questions

What subjects can you study at both Cardiff University and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Archaeology, History, Human Geography & Environment, Music, Politics & International Relations, Chemistry, English Literature, Geology & Earth Sciences, Management and 37 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) better for Civil Engineering?

Civil Engineering graduates earn a median £31,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £21,000 from University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Student satisfaction with teaching is 80% at Cardiff University and 90% at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) lists 244 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)?

Cardiff University teaches 37 subject areas that University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) does not, including Law, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Finance & Actuarial Science, Computing & IT and 29 more.

What can you study at University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) but not at Cardiff University?

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) teaches 21 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Teacher Training, Cultural Studies, Agriculture & Land Management, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Fine Art, Drama & Theatre, Complementary & Alternative Medicine and 13 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 the Highlands and Islands (UHI)244 courses · 11 scholarshipsBrowse Courses