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Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a university in Cardiff, Wales, in a city setting. How it compares on official data.
39th of 142 in the overall Be Wise ranking, with a score of 53.7 out of 100. How we rank.
How it compares
| Measure | Cardiff University | Average in the overall table | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student experience | 83.1% | 85.1% | Average positive answers across seven National Student Survey 2026 themes, from 3,600 final-year students. |
| Continuation | 91.4% | 83.0% | Full-time degree students still studying or qualified a year after starting (Discover Uni). |
| Graduate prospects | 70.5% | 63.7% | Graduates in professional or managerial work, or further study, 15 months after finishing (Discover Uni). |
| Earnings | £37,300 | UK average for the same subjects | Median earnings five years after graduating, tax year 2023-24 (LEO): 2% above the UK average for the same mix of subjects. |
Sources: National Student Survey 2026, Office for Students (Open Government Licence v3.0), first degree, full-time, by teaching provider; LEO graduate outcomes, tax year 2023-24, Department for Education (Open Government Licence v3.0), median earnings five years after graduating; Discover Uni dataset, 8 September 2026 edition, HESA (CC BY 4.0), continuation and graduate prospects. All sources and licences.
What students say: National Student Survey 2026
The share of final-year students giving positive answers on each theme, next to the average for providers in the overall table.
| Theme | Cardiff University | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching on my course | 86.4% | 87.5% |
| Learning opportunities | 82.0% | 85.3% |
| Assessment and feedback | 76.3% | 82.7% |
| Academic support | 88.9% | 89.1% |
| Organisation and management | 78.5% | 79.5% |
| Learning resources | 90.2% | 88.5% |
| Student voice | 79.6% | 79.8% |
Subject tables
Cardiff University appears in 20 of our 35 subject tables. Subjects need at least 50 survey responses.
| Subject | Position | Student experience | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media, journalism and communications | 3rd of 45 | 90.2% | £32,20013% above the UK average for this subject |
| Allied health | 8th of 61 | 82.4% | £37,7008% above the UK average for this subject |
| Medical sciences | 10th of 59 | 85.9% | £42,8004% above the UK average for this subject |
| Business and management | 21st of 122 | 84.1% | £43,20020% above the UK average for this subject |
| Psychology | 19th of 100 | 84.5% | £33,70012% above the UK average for this subject |
| Computing | 23rd of 108 | 79.3% | £46,80012% above the UK average for this subject |
| Sociology, social policy and anthropology | 18th of 74 | 85.6% | £31,1003% above the UK average for this subject |
| Engineering | 18th of 63 | 84.0% | £41,4006% below the UK average for this subject |
| Economics | 16th of 49 | 84.1% | £49,0007% below the UK average for this subject |
| Geography, earth and environmental studies | 19th of 40 | 87.1% | £37,0003% above the UK average for this subject |
| Nursing and midwifery | 38th of 75 | 86.2% | £35,9004% below the UK average for this subject |
| Law | 46th of 87 | 74.9% | £38,80010% above the UK average for this subject |
| English studies | 27th of 41 | 84.8% | £31,3002% above the UK average for this subject |
| Biosciences | 34th of 51 | 78.9% | £35,5007% above the UK average for this subject |
| Philosophy and religious studies | 12th of 18 | 88.9% | £27,40019% below the UK average for this subject |
| Politics | 31st of 43 | 78.5% | £38,400In line with the UK average for this subject |
| Mathematical sciences | 24th of 27 | 80.4% | £42,1008% below the UK average for this subject |
| Languages and area studies | 18th of 20 | 80.3% | £31,50013% below the UK average for this subject |
| History and archaeology | 37th of 40 | 83.9% | £31,5006% below the UK average for this subject |
| Chemistry | 5th of 5 | 83.6% | £37,3005% below the UK average for this subject |
Also has official data for, but not enough to rank in: Architecture, building and planning, Celtic studies, Education and teaching, General, applied and forensic sciences, Medicine and dentistry, Performing arts, Pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy, Physics and astronomy.
UCAS points of past entrants
The UCAS Tariff points of recent entrants to full-time degree courses who had Tariff qualifications, from Discover Uni. These are past entrants, not offers: check each course page for entry requirements.
The middle entrant (the median) was in the 144 to 159 band, and the most common band was 128 to 143 points. Work out your UCAS points.
Courses and key facts
Discover Uni lists 207 full-time degree courses; 25 of them with a placement year, as an option or built in; 19 with a year abroad, as an option or built in.
Cardiff University website · Accommodation · Students' union
Course counts, TEF and links: {oa("du")}, CC BY 4.0. Check course details with the university.
Living costs in Cardiff
Average private rent in the Cardiff area was £1,177 a month in August 2026, against a UK average of £1,400. Student rooms usually cost less than a whole home. Cost of living in Cardiff.
Other universities and colleges in Cardiff: Cardiff Metropolitan University, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Is Cardiff University right for you?
In the app, enter your predicted and expected grades to see Aspirational, Realistic and Safer labels, compare two universities side by side, or save Cardiff University to your shortlist.
Open Be University WiseSources
- National Student Survey 2026, Office for Students
- Discover Uni dataset, 8 September 2026 edition, HESA
- LEO graduate outcomes, tax year 2023-24, Department for Education
- Price Index of Private Rents, Office for National Statistics
- Discover Uni: compare courses, official UK course comparison website
- Cardiff University: official website
Data used under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (Office for Students, Department for Education, ONS) and CC BY 4.0 (HESA). All sources and licences.
All university and college profiles · Rankings
Quick answers
Where is Cardiff University in the Be Wise ranking?
39th of 142 in the overall Be Wise ranking, with a score of 53.7 out of 100. The Be Wise ranking uses only official data on student experience, continuation, graduate prospects and earnings.
What do students say about Cardiff University?
In the 2026 National Student Survey, an average of 83.1% of final-year students gave positive answers across the seven themes, from 3,600 responses. Its highest theme compared with the average was learning resources (90.2%, against 88.5%), and its lowest was assessment and feedback (76.3%, against 82.7%).
How many students continue their course at Cardiff University?
On Discover Uni data, 91.4% of full-time degree students were still studying or had qualified a year after starting. The average in the overall table was 83.0%.
What do Cardiff University graduates go on to do?
On Discover Uni data, 70.5% of graduates were in professional or managerial work, or further study, 15 months after finishing. The average in the overall table was 63.7%.
How much do Cardiff University graduates earn?
Median earnings five years after graduating were £37,300 in the 2023-24 tax year, according to the Department for Education's LEO data. That is 2% above the UK average for graduates of the same mix of subjects.
What UCAS points do you need for Cardiff University?
Entry requirements vary by course, so check each course page. Among recent entrants with UCAS Tariff points, the most common band was 128 to 143 points. Past entrants' points are not offers.
How much is rent near Cardiff University?
The ONS average private rent in the Cardiff area was £1,177 a month in August 2026. Student rooms in halls or shared houses usually cost less than a whole home.