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.
Cardiff · QS World #179
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
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.
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
Satisfaction
Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)
Graduate Salaries (5y)
Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation
Employment
Graduate employment rate
International
International student share
Course Counts
Number of courses offered
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%
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
Civil Engineering
17 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
10 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
Law
13 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
13 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
Computer Science
14 coursesTypical fee £30,700 (UG)
11 coursesTypical fee £16,950 (UG)
Business & Management (General)
5 coursesTypical fee £31,700 (PG)
15 coursesTypical fee £18,480 (PG)
Management
12 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
5 coursesTypical fee £17,970 (PG)
Mechanical Engineering
Sociology & Criminology
Building & Construction
1 courseTypical fee £11,450 (PG)
12 coursesTypical fee £19,030 (PG)
Politics & International Relations
10 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
3 coursesFee not available
Architecture
History
Journalism
10 coursesTypical fee £24,700 (UG)
2 coursesFee not available
Business Studies
Finance & Actuarial Science
Accounting
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.
Only at Cardiff University
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)£31,00080%Satisfaction90%Law
£24,500Salary (3 years)£19,50081%Satisfaction88%Computer Science
£33,500Salary (3 years)£22,50070%Satisfaction83%Mechanical Engineering
£33,000Salary (3 years)£31,00073%Satisfaction78%Sociology & Criminology
£23,500Salary (3 years)£20,00087%Satisfaction89%Politics & International Relations
£27,000Salary (3 years)£20,00088%Satisfaction88%Architecture
£29,000Salary (3 years)£26,50089%Satisfaction100%History
£23,500Salary (3 years)£20,00092%Satisfaction95%Journalism
£24,000Salary (3 years)£18,50083%Satisfaction90%Finance & Actuarial Science
£31,500Salary (3 years)£21,00081%Satisfaction89%Accounting
£28,000Salary (3 years)£21,00088%Satisfaction90%Forensic Science
£26,000Salary (3 years)£21,00092%Satisfaction87%
Showing the 12 largest of 23 shared subjects with published outcomes.
Scholarships for International Students
ExclusiveCardiff 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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