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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 York

York · QS World #158

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.

3/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 3 categories

VS

7/10

York

scored higher in 7 categories

Quick Verdict

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

Cardiff University vs University of York at a glance

Cardiff University and University of York both teach 58 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Chemistry. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; University of York offers 532 courses across 82 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £3,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £27,250 at University of York: Cardiff University is about £1,300 a year cheaper.

Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, University of York is higher in 16 and Cardiff University in 8, with 4 about level. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £40,000 from University of York. Of the 28 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 15 and University of York in 11, with 2 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
#158
#201
THE World
#154
#34
Guardian UK
#20
1883
Established
1963
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 York

86.3%
87.1%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£34,700

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
80.2%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
18.6%

International

International student share

362
532

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
3

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

York

97 countries · 18.6% international

  • 🇨🇳China44.1%
  • 🇮🇳India7.2%
  • 🇺🇸United States5.7%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.3%
  • 🌐Korea (South)2.2%

Subjects

58 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 York

Also taught at both: Human Geography & Environment, History, Physical Geography & Climate, Ancient Languages, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biomedical Sciences, Economics, Education Studies, Finance & Actuarial Science, Linguistics, General Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Forensic Science, Media & Film Studies, Social Sciences (General), Biomedical Engineering, Film Production & Cinematography, Accounting, Architecture, Business Studies, Childhood & Youth Studies, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Psychology (General), English Literature, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Building & Construction, Mental Health Nursing, Marketing, Microbiology & Cell Biology, Social Work, Adult Nursing, Children's Nursing, Design & Fashion, Developmental & Educational Psychology, English Language, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Nursing (General), Technology & Logistics, Applied Psychology, Biotechnology, Creative Writing, Midwifery.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at University of York

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 York
£27,500

University of York is about £3,200 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
University of York
£27,250

Cardiff University is about £1,300 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 York

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£40,000
    70%Satisfaction73%

  • Mathematics

    £27,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    84%Satisfaction86%

  • Chemistry

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£28,500
    94%Satisfaction92%

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£27,500
    88%Satisfaction91%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)£30,500
    81%Satisfaction89%

  • Physics

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£30,000
    94%Satisfaction89%

  • Philosophy

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    91%Satisfaction89%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£33,000
    92%Satisfaction88%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£23,500
    93%Satisfaction87%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    87%Satisfaction90%

  • Archaeology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£19,500
    91%Satisfaction84%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)£26,000
    82%Satisfaction82%

Showing the 12 largest of 28 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

University of York

Care Leavers and Estranged Students Bursary

£3,000

Deadline: N/A

York Bursary

£1,000

Deadline: N/A

York Futures Scholarship

See details

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs University of York: common questions

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

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £27,500 at University of York: University of York is about £3,200 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £27,250 at University of York: Cardiff University is about £1,300 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 York?

Both universities teach 58 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Chemistry, Politics & International Relations, Business & Management (General), Law, Physics, Philosophy, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Music, Sociology & Criminology, Management and 46 more.

Is Cardiff University or University of York better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £40,000 from University of York. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 73% at University of York. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or University of York offer more courses?

University of York lists 532 courses on CourseOptions and Cardiff University lists 362 courses.

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

Cardiff University teaches 28 subject areas that University of York does not, including Geology & Earth Sciences, Journalism, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Clinical Specialities, Computing & IT, Planning & Housing, Software Engineering and 20 more.

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

University of York teaches 24 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Social Policy & Public Policy, History of Art & Design, Biology, French, German & Scandinavian Studies, Humanities, Liberal Arts, Ecology & Conservation and 16 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 York532 courses · 3 scholarshipsBrowse Courses