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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 Wolverhampton

Wolverhampton · QS World #1001

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.

7/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 7 categories

VS

3/10

Wolverhampton

scored higher in 3 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 7 of 10 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, employment, graduate salary, courses). University of Wolverhampton is ahead on established, satisfaction, international.

Cardiff University vs University of Wolverhampton at a glance

Cardiff University and University of Wolverhampton both teach 49 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Law and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of Wolverhampton offers 270 courses across 68 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,950 at University of Wolverhampton: University of Wolverhampton is about £13,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,230 at University of Wolverhampton: University of Wolverhampton is about £7,720 a year cheaper.

Of the 23 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 20 and University of Wolverhampton in 1, with 2 about level. The widest gap is in Pharmacology: £40,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £23,500 from University of Wolverhampton. Of the 22 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, University of Wolverhampton is higher in 15 and Cardiff University in 6, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#1001
#201
THE World
#801
#34
Guardian UK
#85
1883
Established
1827
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
Bronze

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff University

University of Wolverhampton

86.3%
87.4%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£27,000

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
80.7%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
16.1%

International

International student share

362
270

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

Wolverhampton

28 countries · 16.1% international

  • 🌐Nepal29.9%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria22.6%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan13%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh11.2%
  • 🇮🇳India9.1%

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 Wolverhampton

Also taught at both: Design & Fashion, Film Production & Cinematography, Forensic Science, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Counselling & Psychotherapy, Economics, General Engineering, Psychology (General), Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Specialities, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Pharmacy, Childhood & Youth Studies, Computing & IT, English Studies, Health & Social Care, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Social Work, Software Engineering, Education Studies, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Midwifery, Pharmacology, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Creative Writing, Mental Health Nursing, Nursing (General), Applied Psychology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Public Health & Epidemiology.

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 Wolverhampton
£16,950

University of Wolverhampton is about £13,750 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of Wolverhampton
£18,230

University of Wolverhampton is about £7,720 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 Wolverhampton

  • Civil Engineering

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

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    81%Satisfaction88%
  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    70%Satisfaction83%
  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£31,000
    73%Satisfaction78%
  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    87%Satisfaction89%
  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction88%
  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    89%Satisfaction100%
  • History

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,000
    92%Satisfaction95%
  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,500
    83%Satisfaction90%
  • Finance & Actuarial Science

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£21,000
    81%Satisfaction89%
  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    88%Satisfaction90%
  • Forensic Science

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£21,000
    92%Satisfaction87%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of Wolverhampton

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of Wolverhampton: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £16,950 at University of Wolverhampton: University of Wolverhampton is about £13,750 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £18,230 at University of Wolverhampton: University of Wolverhampton is about £7,720 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 Wolverhampton?

Both universities teach 49 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Law, Computer Science, Business & Management (General), Management, Mechanical Engineering, Sociology & Criminology, Building & Construction, Politics & International Relations, Architecture, History, Journalism and 37 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of Wolverhampton better for Civil Engineering?

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

Does Cardiff University or University of Wolverhampton offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and University of Wolverhampton lists 270 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 37 subject areas that University of Wolverhampton does not, including Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Physics, Physical Geography & Climate and 29 more.

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

University of Wolverhampton teaches 19 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Aerospace Engineering, Healthcare Science, Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Anatomy & Pathology, Chemical Engineering, Teacher Training, Agriculture & Land Management and 11 more.

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