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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 West London

London · Guardian UK #108

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.

6/9

Cardiff

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

3/9

West London

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 6 of 9 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of West London is ahead on established, satisfaction, international.

Cardiff University vs University of West London at a glance

Cardiff University and University of West London both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Music, Civil Engineering and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of West London offers 338 courses across 68 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,750 at University of West London: University of West London is about £13,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,250 at University of West London: University of West London is about £8,700 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 17 and University of West London in 6. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £40,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £31,000 from University of West London. Of the 21 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of West London is higher in 9 and Cardiff University in 8, with 4 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
—
#201
THE World
#1201
#34
Guardian UK
#108
1883
Established
1860
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 West London

86.3%
88.2%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£29,600

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
78.4%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
27.1%

International

International student share

362
338

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 London

64 countries · 27.1% international

  • 🇮🇳India47.8%
  • 🌐Nepal33.1%
  • 🇨🇳China2%
  • 🇺🇸United States1.8%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan1.6%

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 West London

Also taught at both: Accounting, Adult Nursing, Building & Construction, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Finance & Actuarial Science, Psychology (General), Software Engineering, Architecture, Economics, Business & Management (General), Film Production & Cinematography, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, Education Studies, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Midwifery, Planning & Housing, Computing & IT, Medicine, Pharmacology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Forensic Science, Creative Writing, Health & Social Care, Mental Health Nursing, Social Work, Applied Psychology, Childhood & Youth Studies, Children's Nursing, Developmental & Educational Psychology, Nursing (General), Specialist Clinical Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of West London

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 West London
£16,750

University of West London is about £13,950 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of West London
£17,250

University of West London is about £8,700 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 West London

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    93%Satisfaction89%

  • Civil Engineering

    £31,000Salary (3 years)£29,000
    80%Satisfaction83%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£28,000
    70%Satisfaction85%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)No data
    84%Satisfaction92%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    94%Satisfaction90%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£21,500
    83%Satisfaction100%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    No dataSatisfaction94%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%Satisfaction88%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    87%Satisfaction88%

  • Social Sciences (General)

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,500
    89%Satisfaction88%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£22,500
    88%Satisfaction96%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of West London

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of West London: common questions

Is Cardiff University or University of West London cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,750 at University of West London: University of West London is about £13,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £17,250 at University of West London: University of West London is about £8,700 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 West London?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Music, Civil Engineering, Law, Computer Science, Mathematics, Business Studies, Design & Fashion, Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Management, Journalism, Media & Film Studies and 37 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of West London better for Music?

Music graduates earn a median £23,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £21,000 from University of West London. Student satisfaction with teaching is 93% at Cardiff University and 89% at University of West London. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of West London offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of West London lists 338 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 37 subject areas that University of West London does not, including Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Mechanical Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics and 29 more.

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

University of West London teaches 19 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Information Systems & Data Science, Drama & Theatre, Genetics & Genomics, Games Design & Computer Animation, Aerospace Engineering, Learning Disabilities Nursing, Applied Biology & Human Biology and 11 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 West London338 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses