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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

W
Wrexham University

Wrexham · Guardian UK #110

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 8 datapoints

We looked at 8 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

6/8

Cardiff

scored higher in 6 categories

VS

2/8

Wrexham

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University leads in 6 of 8 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, employment, graduate salary, courses). Wrexham University is ahead on satisfaction, international.

Cardiff University vs Wrexham University at a glance

Cardiff University and Wrexham University both teach 36 subject areas, the largest being Civil Engineering, Computer Science and Law. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; Wrexham University offers 159 courses across 52 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £12,750 at Wrexham University: Wrexham University is about £17,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £12,500 at Wrexham University: Wrexham University is about £13,450 a year cheaper.

Of the 16 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 14 and Wrexham University in 2. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £23,000 from Wrexham University. Of the 15 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Cardiff University is higher in 8 and Wrexham University in 7.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
—
#201
THE World
—
#34
Guardian UK
#110
1883
Established
1887
Yes
Russell Group
No
—
TEF Rating
—

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

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

Cardiff University

Wrexham University

86.3%
86.9%

Satisfaction

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

£36,100
£24,800

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

82.1%
81.9%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
22.9%

International

International student share

362
159

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

Wrexham

19 countries · 22.9% international

  • 🇮🇳India66.8%
  • 🇩🇪Germany7.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria7.7%
  • 🇧🇩Bangladesh7.4%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan1.8%

Subjects

36 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

Wrexham University

Also taught at both: Building & Construction, Business Studies, Film Production & Cinematography, Music, Psychology (General), Counselling & Psychotherapy, Education Studies, Media & Film Studies, Computing & IT, Design & Fashion, Forensic Science, Health & Social Care, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Applied Computing, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Childhood & Youth Studies, Mental Health Nursing, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Public Health & Epidemiology, Applied Psychology, Children's Nursing.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at Wrexham 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
Wrexham University
£12,750

Wrexham University is about £17,950 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
Wrexham University
£12,500

Wrexham University is about £13,450 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

Wrexham University

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    70%Satisfaction60%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    81%Satisfaction85%

  • Mechanical Engineering

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£41,500
    73%Satisfaction75%

  • Architecture

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£25,000
    89%SatisfactionNo data

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £31,500Salary (3 years)£41,500
    92%Satisfaction75%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£22,000
    87%Satisfaction96%

  • Software Engineering

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£23,000
    87%Satisfaction71%

  • Accounting

    £28,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    88%Satisfaction81%

  • Adult Nursing

    £29,000Salary (3 years)£24,000
    97%Satisfaction89%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£15,500
    86%Satisfaction88%

  • Counselling & Psychotherapy

    £26,500Salary (3 years)£24,000
    86%Satisfaction91%

  • Education Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£17,000
    91%Satisfaction95%

Showing the 12 largest of 17 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

Wrexham University

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs Wrexham University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or Wrexham University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £12,750 at Wrexham University: Wrexham University is about £17,950 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £12,500 at Wrexham University: Wrexham University is about £13,450 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 Wrexham University?

Both universities teach 36 subject areas: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Law, Management, Mechanical Engineering, Business & Management (General), Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Architecture, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Social Work, Sociology & Criminology, Software Engineering and 24 more.

Is Cardiff University or Wrexham University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £33,500 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £23,000 from Wrexham University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 70% at Cardiff University and 60% at Wrexham University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or Wrexham University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and Wrexham University lists 159 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at Wrexham University?

Cardiff University teaches 50 subject areas that Wrexham University does not, including Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Politics & International Relations, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General) and 42 more.

What can you study at Wrexham University but not at Cardiff University?

Wrexham University teaches 16 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, Games Design & Computer Animation, Creative Arts (General), Fine Art, Healthcare Science, Nutrition & Dietetics, Aerospace Engineering, Animal Science and 8 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
W
Wrexham University159 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses