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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 West of Scotland

Paisley · Guardian UK #115

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

West of Scotland

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 the West of Scotland is ahead on satisfaction, international.

Cardiff University vs University of the West of Scotland at a glance

Cardiff University and University of the West of Scotland both teach 38 subject areas, the largest being Chemistry, Mathematics and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of the West of Scotland offers 119 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £15,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,670 a year cheaper.

Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 14 and University of the West of Scotland in 1. The widest gap is in Mechanical Engineering: £33,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £25,500 from University of the West of Scotland. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of the West of Scotland is higher in 8 and Cardiff University in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
—
#201
THE World
#601
#34
Guardian UK
#115
1883
Established
1897
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 West of Scotland

86.3%
89%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£31,134.9

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
81.8%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
30.3%

International

International student share

362
119

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

West of Scotland

33 countries · 30.3% international

  • 🇵🇰Pakistan36.2%
  • 🌐Nepal20.4%
  • 🇮🇳India19.3%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.4%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh5.3%

Subjects

38 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 West of Scotland

Also taught at both: Business & Management (General), Music, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Applied Psychology, Psychology (General), Social Work, Childhood & Youth Studies, Media & Film Studies, Biomedical Sciences, Design & Fashion, English Language, Forensic Science, Health & Social Care, Public Health & Epidemiology, Technology & Logistics, Adult Nursing, Education Studies, Environmental Sciences, Marketing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Nursing (General).

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of the West of Scotland

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 West of Scotland
£15,500

University of the West of Scotland is about £15,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of the West of Scotland
£16,280

University of the West of Scotland is about £9,670 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 the West of Scotland

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • Law

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

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    83%Satisfaction87%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£23,000
    94%Satisfaction95%

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£25,500
    73%Satisfaction89%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction86%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%SatisfactionNo data

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%Satisfaction90%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    92%Satisfaction80%

  • English Language

    £23,500Salary (3 years)No data
    94%Satisfaction83%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of the West of Scotland

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of the West of Scotland: common questions

Is Cardiff University or University of the West of Scotland cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £15,500 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £15,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £16,280 at University of the West of Scotland: University of the West of Scotland is about £9,670 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 the West of Scotland?

Both universities teach 38 subject areas: Chemistry, Mathematics, Law, Business Studies, Journalism, Physics, Politics & International Relations, General Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Social Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Applied Computing and 26 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of the West of Scotland better for Chemistry?

Chemistry graduates earn a median £26,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £23,000 from University of the West of Scotland. Student satisfaction with teaching is 94% at Cardiff University and 95% at University of the West of Scotland. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of the West of Scotland offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of the West of Scotland lists 119 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at University of the West of Scotland?

Cardiff University teaches 48 subject areas that University of the West of Scotland does not, including Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Management, Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages and 40 more.

What can you study at University of the West of Scotland but not at Cardiff University?

University of the West of Scotland teaches 11 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Teacher Training, Business Information Systems, Aerospace Engineering, Community & Specialist Nursing, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Zoology & Animal Biology, Biology and 3 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 West of Scotland119 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses