Universities in Cardiff, Wales
- Rankings & Reviews -

Cardiff
3 out of 4
  • Universities in Cardiff
  • Ranked in at least one ranking
38
  • Different Rankings list
  • Universities in Cardiff
  • (31 institution and 7 subject rankings)
31
  • Global Rankings rank
  • Universities in Cardiff
  • Among TOP 200

Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, and it’s the most popular visitor destination for tourists in the country. It has everything you can expect from a capital city, with more sun and less rain annually than the majority of Wales. Cardiff is a city that’s full of both domestic and international students due to the academic opportunities available, and the unique chance to study the Welsh language. Additionally, the significant majority of graduates choose to continue living in Cardiff to take advantage of its healthy job market and comparably low cost of living, particularly when it comes to monthly rent. Cardiff and Wales generally enjoy a well-earned reputation for having some of the most impressive natural scenery that the UK has to offer, ranging from high coastal cliffs to Barry Island’s yellow-sanded beaches.

PROS

  • Living costs in Cardiff are lower than the average in the UK which makes it easier for students to be more financially stable.
  • There are many historical attractions in Cardiff that students find interesting and unique, especially if they come from abroad.
  • Students usually highlight that Cardiff has everything a student needs, and although you can walk almost everywhere, public transport offers a scheme known as My Travel Pass. This scheme offers significant discounts on buses for those between the ages of 16 and 21.

CONS

  • Wales has its own language, Welsh, and it’s quite a difficult language to learn. It’s not required if you want to study in Cardiff but it might be hard to understand the strong local accent.
  • People often recommend not to use cars in the area as it can be difficult and frustrating due to severe traffic, so students often use public transport.
  • Despite Cardiff having better weather than the average, the rain can be excessive.
Latest ranking updates related to universities in Cardiff
  • 01 Jan, 2023: New edition of Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities. 3 universities in Cardiff ranked.
  • 28 Nov, 2022: Publication of URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance. Cardiff University with highest ranking among universities in Cardiff ranked #186.
  • 23 Nov, 2022: THE Global Employability University Ranking updated with Cardiff University in position 198.
  • 26 Oct, 2022: Publication of THE World University Rankings by Subject (Computer Science). Cardiff University with highest ranking among universities in Cardiff ranked #46.

Highest subject rankings of universities in Cardiff

Celtic Studies CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#2 
Cardiff University
Physiotherapy CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#3 
Cardiff University
Architecture The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#5 
Cardiff University
General Engineering CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#8 
Cardiff University
Physics The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#9 
Cardiff University
Journalism The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#9 
Cardiff University
Psychology CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#10 
Cardiff University
Music CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#10 
Cardiff University
Food Science CUG The Complete University Guide - By Subject
#12 
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Interior Design The Guardian University League Tables by Subject
#16 
Cardiff Metropolitan University

Rankings of universities in Cardiff, Wales 2023

Student satisfaction: 4.4 / 5.0 (531 reviews)
Card image

  • #1 
  • #187 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 12 October, 2022]
  • #1 
  • #25 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #2 
  • #35 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 24 September, 2022]


Student satisfaction: 4.2 / 5.0 (440 reviews)
  • #5 
  • #1001 
THE World University Rankings
[Published 12 October, 2022]
  • #5 
  • #93 
The Times Good University Guide
[Published 16 September, 2022]
  • #5 
  • #73 
The Guardian League Table
[Published 24 September, 2022]


Student satisfaction: 4.7 / 5.0 (29 reviews)
  • #9 
  • #5682 
Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
[Published 01 January, 2023]


Student satisfaction: 4.6 / 5.0 (213 reviews)


Student Opinions About Studying in Cardiff

“I love Cardiff, its culture and its people. It can be frustrating trying to understand the locals’ accent at times but everyone is so friendly! Studying here has been a memorable experience so far. It rains way more than I would like it to here, but at least that makes the landscape as green as it is!”

“I’m a bit of a geek for castles, so of course I love living in a place like Wales that has so many of them. I rented a car once and it was a nightmare because of how hard it is to drive on Cardiff’s roads if you’re not an expert, so I suggest newcomers to rely on public transport instead.”

“Cardiff is so much cheaper than other places in the UK when it comes to rent and day-to-day costs. I feel lucky I’ve had the chance to study at such a reputable university as Cardiff University, as well as meet the enthusiastic and passionate people I have on the way.”

Cardiff Key Facts for International Students

Population: 448000

Time: GMT +0

District/province: Wales, Cardiff

Living costs for students in Cardiff:

* 100 = prices in London

  • Living costs without accommodation 82* (18% cheaper than London)
  • All costs including accommodation 63* (37% cheaper than London)
  • Meals (grocery & lower cost restaurants) 68* (32% cheaper than London)
  • Average Big Mac price 3.59 £
  • Plug Type G
    • Residential voltage: 230 V
    • Frequency: 50 Hz
Nobel prize laureates:
Sir Martin J. Evans (Cardiff University, 2007)

Map with location of universities in Cardiff

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Cardiff University ranks #1 in Cardiff in our meta ranking composed of 133 university rankings.

Among all universities in Cardiff Cardiff University is listed in the largest number of rankings. See all 44 rankings where Cardiff University is listed.

Cardiff University is ranked best in Cardiff for Languages & Literature (Celtic Studies). See all rankings for the Cardiff University.

Cardiff University is ranked best in Cardiff for Medicine & Health (Physiotherapy). See all rankings for the Cardiff University.

Cardiff University is ranked best in Cardiff for Architecture, Building & Planning (Architecture). See all rankings for the Cardiff University.

Cardiff University is ranked best in Cardiff for Engineering (General Engineering). See all rankings for the Cardiff University.

Cardiff University is ranked best in Cardiff for Natural Sciences (Physics). See all rankings for the Cardiff University.

Cardiff University is ranked best in Cardiff for Journalism & Media Studies (Journalism). See all rankings for the Cardiff University.

Cardiff University is ranked best in Cardiff for Social Studies & Humanities (Psychology). See all rankings for the Cardiff University.

Cardiff University is ranked best in Cardiff for Arts Visual & Performing (Music). See all rankings for the Cardiff University.

Cardiff Metropolitan University is ranked best in Cardiff for Agriculture (Food Science). See all rankings for the Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Cardiff Metropolitan University is ranked best in Cardiff for Design (Interior Design). See all rankings for the Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Cardiff University is ranked best in Cardiff for Law (Law). See all rankings for the Cardiff University.

Cardiff University is ranked best in Cardiff for Education (Education). See all rankings for the Cardiff University.

Cardiff Metropolitan University is ranked best in Cardiff for Sports Science (Sports Science). See all rankings for the Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Cardiff University is ranked best in Cardiff for Computer Science (Computer Science). See all rankings for the Cardiff University.

Cardiff University is ranked best in Cardiff for Mathematics (Mathematics). See all rankings for the Cardiff University.

Ranking publishers

4icu

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British Quacquarelli Symonds, UK

Criteria used in ranking -QS World University Rankings:
Academic Reputation 40%
Employer Reputation 10%
Faculty/Student Ratio 20%
Citations per faculty 20%
International Faculty Ratio 5%
International Student Ratio 5%

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CWUR Center for World University Rankings

Criteria used in ranking -CWUR Center for World University Rankings:
Research Performance (40%)
-Research Output 10%
-High-Quality Publications 10%
-Influence 10%
-Citations 10%

Quality of Education 25%

Alumni Employment 25%

Quality of Faculty 10%

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Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Netherlands

Criteria used in ranking -CWTS Leiden Ranking:
-Scientific Impact
-Number of Publications
-Collaboration
-Open Access
-Gender Diversity

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NTU ranking

Criteria used in ranking -NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers:
Research Productivity (25%)
-# Articles last 11 years 10%
-# Articles current year 15%

Research Impact (35%)
-# Citations last 11 years 15%
-# Citations last 2 years 10%
-Average # citations last 11 years 10%

Research Excellence (40%)
-H-index last 2 years 10%
-# Highly cited papers last 11 years 15%
-# Articles current year in high-impact journals 15%

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Nature Index

Criteria used in ranking -Nature Index - Academic:
Published Articles Count:
- Count (whole articles)
- Share (fractional article count)

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RUR Ranking Agency (Moscow, Russia)

Criteria used in ranking -RUR World University Rankings:
Teaching (40%)
-Ratio Faculty/Student 8%
-Ratio Faculty/Bachelor Degrees Awarded 8%
-Ratio Faculty/Doctoral Degrees Awarded 8%
-Ratio Doctoral Degrees Awarded/Bachelor Degrees Awarded 8%
-World Teaching Reputation 8%

Research (40%)
-Citations per Academic/Research Staff 8%
-Doctoral Degrees per Accepted PhD 8%
-Normalized Citation Impact 8%
-Papers per Academic/Research Staff 8%
-World Research Reputation 8%

International Diversity (10%)
-% International Faculty 2%
-% International Students 2%
-% International Co-Authored Papers 2%
-Reputation Outside Geographical Region 2%
-International Level 2%

Financial Sustainability (10%)
-Institutional Income per Faculty 2%
-Institutional Income per Student 2%
-Papers per Research Income 2%
-Research Income per Academic/Research Staff 2%
-% Research Income per Institutional Income 2%

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Scimago Institutions

Criteria used in ranking -Scimago Institutions Rankings:
Research (50%)
- Normalized Impact 13%
- Excellence with Leadership 8%
- Output 8%
- Scientific Leadership 5%
- Not Own Journals 3%
- Own Journals 3%
- Excellence 2%
- High Quality Publications 2%
- International Collaboration 2%
- Open Access 2%
- Scientific Talent Pool 2%

Innovation (30%)
- Innovative Knowledge 10%
- Patents 10%
- Technological Impact 10%

Societal (20%)
- Altmetrics 10%
- Inbound Links 5%
- Web Size 5%

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ShanghaiRanking Consultancy

Criteria used in ranking -ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking:
Quality of Education 10%
- Alumni winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 10%

Quality of Faculty 40%
- Staff winning Nobel Prizes/Field Medals 20%
- Highly Cited Researchers 20%

Research Output 40%
- Papers published in Nature and Science 20%
- Papers indexed in Science Citation Index-Expanded & Social Science Citation Index 20%

Per Capita Performance 10%

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StuDocu

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THE Times Higher Education, UK

Criteria used in ranking -THE World University Rankings:
30% Teaching (the Learning Environment)
- Reputation survey: 15%
- Staff-to-student ratio: 4.5%
- Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio: 2.25%
- Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio: 6%
- Institutional income: 2.25%

30% Research (Volume, Income and Reputation)
- Reputation survey: 18%
- Research income: 6%
- Research productivity: 6%

30% Citations (Research Influence)

7.5% International Outlook (Staff, Students and Research)
- Proportion of international students: 2.5%
- Proportion of international staff: 2.5%
- International collaboration: 2.5%

2.5% Industry Income (Knowledge Transfer)

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Criteria used in ranking -THE Global Employability University Ranking:
100% Employer Surveys

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The Guardian News and Media Limited

Criteria used in ranking -The Guardian League Table:
Student to Staff Ratio 15%
Entry Standards 15%
Expenditure per Student 5%
Continuation 15% (non-medical subjects) OR 5% (medical subjects)
NSS - Teaching 8%
NSS - Assessment & Feedback 8%
NSS - Overall Satisfaction 4%
Career Prospects 15%
Value added 15%

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The Times and The Sunday Times

Criteria used in ranking -The Times Good University Guide:
Student Satisfaction 18.75%
- Teaching Quality (12.5%)
- Student Experience (6.75%)
Research Quality 18.75%
Entry Standards 12.5%
Graduate Prospects 12.5%
Firsts and 2:1s 12.5%
Completion Rates 12.5%
Student Staff Ratio 12.5%

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The University League Tables

Criteria used in ranking -CUG The Complete University Guide:
Entry Standards 12.5%
Student Satisfaction 18.75%
Student-Staff Ratio 12.5%
Research Quality 12.5%
Research Intensity 6.25%
Academic Service Spending 6.25%
Facilities Spending 6.25%
Graduate Prospects 12.5%
Degree Completion Rate 12.5%

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Thomson Reuters

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Urap

Criteria used in ranking -URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance:
Articles (Current Scientific Productivity) 21%
Total Documents (Scientific Productivity) 10%
Citations (Research Impact) 21%
Article Impact Total (Research Quality) 18%
Citation Impact Total (Research Quality) 15%
International Collaboration (International Acceptance) 15%

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Us News

Criteria used in ranking -US News: Best Global Universities:
Reputation 25%
-Global research reputation 12.5%
-Regional research reputation 12.5%
Research (Publications, Citations, Conferences, Research collaboration) 65%
-Publications 10%
-Books 2.5%
-Conferences 2.5%
-Normalized citation impact 10%
-Total citations 7.5%
-Number of publications that are among the 10% most cited 12.5%
-Percentage of total publications that are among the 10% most cited 10%
-International collaboration relative to country 5%
-International collaboration 5%
Scientific Excellence 10%
-Number of highly cited papers that are among the top 1% most cited in their respective field 5%
-Percentage of total publications that are among the top 1% most highly cited papers 5%

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Webometrics

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