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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

Y
York St John University

York · Guardian UK #105

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.

5/10

Cardiff

scored higher in 5 categories

VS

5/10

York St John

scored higher in 5 categories

Quick Verdict

Cardiff University and York St John University are evenly matched: each leads in 5 of 10 categories where both have data. Cardiff University is ahead on ranking, Russell Group, graduate salary, courses; York St John University on established, satisfaction, employment, international, scholarship.

Cardiff University vs York St John University at a glance

Cardiff University and York St John University both teach 39 subject areas, the largest being Politics & International Relations, Law and Computer Science. Cardiff University offers 362 courses across 86 subject areas; York St John University offers 199 courses across 49 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £16,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £14,150 a year cheaper.

Of the 24 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Cardiff University is higher in 24 and York St John University in 0. The widest gap is in Economics: £32,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, against £20,000 from York St John University. Of the 25 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, York St John University is higher in 13 and Cardiff University in 11, with 1 about level.

World & National Rankings

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

#179
QS World
—
#201
THE World
#1001
#34
Guardian UK
#105
1883
Established
1841
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

York St John University

86.3%
86.8%

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%
84.6%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

16%
37.1%

International

International student share

362
199

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

0
1

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 St John

35 countries · 37.1% international

  • 🌐Nepal33.8%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria25.4%
  • 🇮🇳India20.5%
  • 🇵🇰Pakistan4.1%
  • 🌐Sri Lanka4%

Subjects

39 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

York St John University

Also taught at both: Counselling & Psychotherapy, Accounting, Business Studies, Creative Writing, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, History, Economics, Theology & Religious Studies, Asian Languages & Studies, Software Engineering, Childhood & Youth Studies, Education Studies, English Language, Film Production & Cinematography, Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation, Applied Psychology, Biomedical Sciences, Geography (General), Human Resource Management, Medical Imaging, Adult Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Midwifery, Public Health & Epidemiology.

Only at Cardiff University

Only at York St John 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
York St John University
£14,000

York St John University is about £16,700 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Cardiff University
£25,950
York St John University
£11,800

York St John University is about £14,150 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

York St John University

  • Politics & International Relations

    £27,000Salary (3 years)£20,000
    88%Satisfaction89%

  • Law

    £24,500Salary (3 years)No data
    81%Satisfaction93%

  • Computer Science

    £33,500Salary (3 years)£26,500
    70%Satisfaction78%

  • Management

    £29,500Salary (3 years)£22,500
    79%Satisfaction67%

  • English Literature

    £23,000Salary (3 years)£19,500
    92%Satisfaction97%

  • Media & Film Studies

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    No dataSatisfaction91%

  • Sociology & Criminology

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£20,500
    87%Satisfaction89%

  • Human Geography & Environment

    £26,000Salary (3 years)No data
    82%Satisfaction86%

  • Journalism

    £24,000Salary (3 years)£18,000
    83%Satisfaction92%

  • Physical Geography & Climate

    £26,000Salary (3 years)No data
    89%Satisfaction93%

  • Music

    £23,500Salary (3 years)£18,500
    93%Satisfaction94%

  • Psychology (General)

    £25,000Salary (3 years)£20,500
    86%Satisfaction90%

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

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Cardiff University

View all scholarships →

York St John University

Sanctuary Scholarships

£4,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Cardiff University vs York St John University: common questions

Is Cardiff University or York St John University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £30,700 a year at Cardiff University and £14,000 at York St John University: York St John University is about £16,700 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £25,950 a year at Cardiff University and £11,800 at York St John University: York St John University is about £14,150 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 York St John University?

Both universities teach 39 subject areas: Politics & International Relations, Law, Computer Science, Management, English Literature, Media & Film Studies, Sociology & Criminology, Human Geography & Environment, Journalism, Business & Management (General), Physical Geography & Climate, Design & Fashion and 27 more.

Is Cardiff University or York St John University better for Politics & International Relations?

Politics & International Relations graduates earn a median £27,000 three years after graduating from Cardiff University, and £20,000 from York St John University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 88% at Cardiff University and 89% at York St John University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Cardiff University or York St John University offer more courses?

Cardiff University lists 362 courses on CourseOptions and York St John University lists 199 courses.

What can you study at Cardiff University but not at York St John University?

Cardiff University teaches 47 subject areas that York St John University does not, including Civil Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Geology & Earth Sciences, Welsh Studies, Biological Sciences (General), Mechanical Engineering, Physics and 39 more.

What can you study at York St John University but not at Cardiff University?

York St John University teaches 10 subject areas that Cardiff University does not, including Hospitality, Events & Tourism, Sport & Exercise Sciences, Teacher Training, Drama & Theatre, Fine Art, Publishing, British Sign Language & Scots, Games Design & Computer Animation and 2 more.

Ready to explore courses?

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

C
Cardiff University362 courses · 0 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
Y
York St John University199 courses · 1 scholarshipBrowse Courses