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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 Warwick

Coventry · QS World #68

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.

2/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 2 categories

VS

8/10

Warwick

scored higher in 8 categories

Quick Verdict

University of Warwick leads in 8 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, courses, scholarship). Cardiff University is ahead on established, employment.

Cardiff University vs University of Warwick at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Warwick both teach 56 subject areas, the largest being Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Warwick offers 436 courses across 73 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £35,530 at University of Warwick: Cardiff University is about £4,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £27,950 at University of Warwick: Cardiff University is about £2,000 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of Warwick is higher in 20 and Cardiff University in 4. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £49,000 from University of Warwick. Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Warwick is higher in 16 and Cardiff University in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#68
#201
THE World
#122
#34
Guardian UK
#8
1883
Established
1965
Yes
Russell Group
Yes
—
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Cardiff University

University of Warwick

86.3%
89.5%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£44,500

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
80.1%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
34%

International

International student share

362
436

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
1

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

Warwick

101 countries · 34% international

  • 🇨🇳China37.9%
  • 🇮🇳India16.6%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia4.1%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong3.3%
  • 🇪🇸Spain2.2%

Subjects

56 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 Warwick

Also taught at both: Psychology (General), Finance & Actuarial Science, Welsh Studies, Ancient Languages, Business & Management (General), Sociology & Criminology, Accounting, Education Studies, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Human Geography & Environment, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Sciences (General), English Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, Clinical Specialities, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Computing & IT, English Literature, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Media & Film Studies, Linguistics, Theology & Religious Studies, Building & Construction, Design & Fashion, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, English Language, Film Production & Cinematography, Health & Social Care, Geography (General), Medicine, Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Creative Writing, Environmental Sciences, Mental Health Nursing, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of Warwick

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 Warwick
£35,530

Cardiff University is about £4,830 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Warwick
£27,950

Cardiff University is about £2,000 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 Warwick

  • General Engineering

    £32,500Salary (3 years)£32,000
    83%Satisfaction82%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£35,500
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£31,500
    88%Satisfaction90%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£49,000
    70%Satisfaction85%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£39,500
    84%Satisfaction93%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£29,500
    94%Satisfaction87%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£33,000
    80%Satisfaction91%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£40,500
    79%Satisfaction93%

  • Economics

    £32,000Salary (3 years)£45,000
    80%Satisfaction93%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    91%Satisfaction93%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£33,500
    94%Satisfaction88%

  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£29,000
    92%Satisfaction94%

Showing the 12 largest of 25 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Warwick

Warwick Postgraduate Taught Sanctuary Scholarship

See details

Deadline: Jun 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Warwick: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £35,530 at University of Warwick: Cardiff University is about £4,830 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £27,950 at University of Warwick: Cardiff University is about £2,000 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 Warwick?

Both universities teach 56 subject areas: Childhood & Youth Studies, General Engineering, Law, Politics & International Relations, Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Management, Economics, Philosophy, Biomedical Sciences and 44 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Warwick better for General Engineering?

General Engineering graduates earn a median £32,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £32,000 from University of Warwick. Student satisfaction with teaching is 83% at Cardiff University and 82% at University of Warwick. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of Warwick offer more courses?

University of Warwick lists 436 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 30 subject areas that University of Warwick does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Journalism, Physical Geography & Climate, Architecture, Music, Planning & Housing, Archaeology, Dentistry and 22 more.

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

University of Warwick teaches 17 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Biology, Classical Studies, Italian, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Spanish & Portuguese, Biochemistry, History of Art & Design and 9 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 Warwick436 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses