Cardiff Metropolitan University (Cardiff Met) is a Welsh public university in Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It is a mid-sized university with a student body of approximately 10,500 students, comprising of about 25% international students. For its industry-oriented, caring teaching, Cardiff Met prioritizes employability and professional skills. Its most popular subjects are Business, Sports Science, Art & Design, and Education. This university has an acceptance rate of 64%. The university is placed in the 1001–1200 position internationally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, and has been awarded for excellence in applied teaching and training. Cardiff Met stands out for its sporting heritage, placing consistently in the top 20 of the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) table and graduating many professional and Olympic sportspeople.
London Metropolitan University (London Met) is a British university in London, England, United Kingdom. It has about 9,180 students, half of whom are international, and is among the more diverse universities in the UK. London Met places an emphasis on accessibility, social justice, and applied learning. This university has an acceptance rate of 84%. Well-liked programs include Business, Law, Social Sciences, and specialized disciplines like Nutrition and Interior Design. It is ranked in the 601–800 band in the Times Higher Education 2025 rankings, globally performing better than Cardiff Met, and also ranked 1001–1200 in the QS rankings. London Met Nutrition and Food Science ranks #7 in the UK, and its Interior Design program ranks #5 in the country. The university boasts a robust professional training setting, with facilities like a top-of-the-range "superlab," mock courtroom, and media newsroom.
| Cardiff Metropolitan University | London Metropolitan University | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 4 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 |
| ranking (overall) | # 87 The Guardian 2026 # 1001 Times Higher Education 2026 # 1001 Times Higher Education 2025 | # 89 The Guardian 2026 # 601 Times Higher Education 2026 # 1001 QS World University 2026 |
| Subject Strength | # 1001 for Engineering by Times Higher Education 2023 # 907 for Medicine by US News 2022 # 52 for Law by The Guardian 2026 | # 545 for Engineering by Round University Ranking 2020 # 450 for Medicine by Round University Ranking 2018 # 77 for Law by The Guardian 2026 |
| Programs | UG Programs -59 PG Programs -58 | UG Programs -2 PG Programs -23 |
| Acceptance Rate | 64.0 % | 84.0 % |
| Exam Score | IELTS-6 PTE-59 SAT-1100 TOEFL-83 | IELTS-6 PTE-59 TOEFL-72 |
| Cost to Study | Average Tuition Fees 15314.4 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 16417.7 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 713 Per Year | Average Tuition Fees 13103.2 [For UG Program] Average Tuition Fees 20000 [For PG Program] Hostel + Meal - 666 Per Year |
| placement (average package) | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: Masters in Science: $50,000 MBA: $37,000 Masters in Finance: $34,000 Masters in Management: $33,000 Bachelor of Arts: $32,000 Bachelor of Science: $29,000 | Some of the programs and the average salary are as follows: LLM: $72,000 Executive Masters: $66,000 Bachelor (Other): $60,000 Executive MBA: $59,000 Masters in Science: $55,000 Masters of Arts: $53,000 |
| application requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit English language proficiency scores Check program specific requirements | Submit official transcripts Submit English language scores Check program specific requirements |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.8/10 Read 4 reviews | 6.5/10 Read 7 reviews |
Top Courses Comparison
| ranking | # 105 for Business by The Guardian 2026 # 601 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 | # 78 for Business by The Guardian 2026 # 301 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025 |
| exam scores | IELTS - 6/9PTE - 59/90TOEFL - 72/120 | IELTS - 6.0/9PTE - 56/90TOEFL - 72/120 |
| cost to study | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) - | Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -20000 |
| documents required | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose | #Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose |
| application dates | Nov 28, 2025 (Application Deadline For January 2026 Intake) Dec 12, 2025 (Deposit Payment Deadline For January 2026 Intake) Jan 26, 2026 (Course Starting Date for January 2026 Intake) Apr 3, 2026 (Application Deadline For May 2026 Intake) Apr 17, 2026 (Deposit Payment Deadline For May 2026 Intake) May 18, 2026 (Course Starting Date for May 2026 Intake) Jul 17, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) Aug 7, 2026 (Deposit Payment Deadline For September 2026 Intake) Sep 21, 2026 (Course Starting Date for September 2026 Intake) | Jul 18, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake) Jul 28, 2026 (Compliance interview Deadline) Jul 31, 2026 (Deposit Deadline for September 2026 Intake) Aug 10, 2026 (Latest date to issue CAS) Oct 6, 2026 (Late date of enrolment for CAS) |
Other Popular Comparisons
| General Facts | Cardiff Metropolitan University | London Metropolitan University |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1996 | 2002 |
| Student:Faculty Ratio | 18:1 | 19:1 |
| Male:Female | 45% Male, 55% Female | 39% Male, 61% Female |
| Location Facts | University has three locations: Llandaff campus, Cyncoed campus and Plas Gwyn residential campus. | The main university campus is on Holloway Road in the London Borough of Islington where five of the University's Schools are based. The School of Art, Architecture and Design is based in Aldgate. |
| Library | Library provides access to various resources like e-books, publications, journals, research papers, databases etc. | The university libraries have more than 236,138 printed books, 196,286 e-books and 82,018 e-journals titles for you to use. |
| Campus Life | A busy campus that has benefitted from millions of pounds worth of recent investment in learning, teaching and social spaces; offering excellent sporting facilities, on-site shop, and places to eat. The campus is located approximately 2 miles from the centre of Cardiff, surrounded by parks, playing fields and the historic village of Llandaff. The Plas Gwyn accommodation campus is close by. Cardiff Met has established itself as one of the leading universities for sport in the UK. University offers a unique performance environment, focused on ensuring you achieve both your sporting and academic aspirations, setting the foundations for your future.Whether you want to live in Cardiff Met halls, or need help finding a place to live, the dedicated accommodation team will help. Offering an award-winning Res Life community, the team aims to make living in halls one of the best experiences of your university life. The student union supports the students in enjoying activities including sports, societies, workshops, volunteering and more. The student union aims to make your student experience with us as enjoyable and fulfilling as possible. | London Metropolitan University Students' Union (MetSU) is the students' union for students at London Metropolitan University. It provides representation, advice and support to students at the university. |
| Hostel | #Room Rent - $561 | #Single room rent/week - $152 #Ensuite rent/week - $219 #Studio rent/week - $295 |
| Famous Alumni | Blandina Khondowe, actor and activist Rory Burns, international cricketer Chris Elmore, Member of the UK Parliament | Helen Baker, author William Neville Bingley, lawyer and academic known as the architect of Code of Practice for the Mental Health Act 1983 |
| City Life | As the Welsh capital, Cardiff plays host to a wide variety of events. From major sporting fixtures such as the UEFA Champions League Final, Six Nations Rugby, championship boxing and WWE (arriving this September), to major theatre productions, big-name touring comedy acts, and musicians. Top this off with a variety of quirkier events such as music concerts at Cardiff Castle, street food festivals, pop-ups, and secret cinemas, and you’ll find that there’s always something different to do here. Cardiff’s big city attitude combined with its small city benefits make it the ideal place to live, work and study. | Not many cities rival London in terms of its arts, culture, sports, food, and social scenes, and it is generally cheaper than other all-star hubs, such as New York City and Hong Kong. With restrictively high rent prices, London is the most expensive city to live in the UK, but the comparatively high salaries help balance this. Greater London has the highest average rent price in the UK at approximately 1,615 GBP (2,030 USD), while the average salary is approximately 35,500 GBP (43,300 USD). |
London Metropolitan University vs Cardiff Metropolitan University
Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)
Cardiff Met appears at 1001–1200 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, with subject strengths in Business & Economics (601–800), Health (601–800), and Education (501–600). It has a robust reputation for sports science and creative fields, as evidenced by its sporting success and top-class facilities. London Met ranks 601–800 in THE 2025 and 1001–1200 in QS, with better overall performance in international rankings. It is especially high in Business (301–400 internationally) and Social Sciences (501–600), with highest national rankings in Nutrition and Interior Design. Cardiff Met is best for sports, art, design, and applied education students, while London Met is best for business, law, social science, and specialized applied students.
General Information
Cardiff Met has its origins back in 1865 and was previously called the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) before being awarded university status in 2011. Cardiff Met has two main campuses, which are small and student-centered, namely Llandaff and Cyncoed. Five schools are hosted at the university, including management, technology, sport and health sciences, education, and art & design. Two campuses, Holloway for business, computing, and social sciences and Aldgate for art, architecture, and design, are hosted by London Met, which was formed in 2002 when the University of North London and London Guildhall University merged. Its student population is more internationally diverse with 50% international students to Cardiff Met's 25%.
Acceptance Rate & Admissions
Confirmed admissions statistics like acceptance rates are not readily available for either university. Both institutions do usually, however, insist on evidence of English language proficiency, in the form of IELTS scores of 6.0 or better for overseas applicants. Cardiff Met has traditionally been moderately selective, whilst London Met is reputed to be more open and inviting with a strong commitment to widening participation.
Location Facts
Cardiff Met is in Cardiff, a safe, low-cost, and culturally vibrant capital city with a lively student community. Its small campuses are within a 3-mile radius, which provides a tight-knit community. London Met, on the other hand, is based in the center of London, with its campuses being in Holloway and Aldgate. Students are able to take advantage of the global cultural, social, and professional opportunities available in London, but living costs are substantially higher than in Cardiff. Cardiff provides affordability along with a community atmosphere, whereas London offers unparalleled networking and career exposure.
Cost & Financial Aid
Living expenses vary significantly in the two cities. Cardiff Met students enjoy relatively affordable accommodation and living costs, with average off-campus accommodation costing between £350–£500 monthly. London Met students have to pay more, with accommodation commonly found between £600–£1,000 monthly in London's tight housing market. Both universities offer assistance and scholarships, although London Met assists slightly more students with the average awards being higher.
Career Outcomes & Alumni Achievement
Cardiff Met graduates are very employable, especially in arts and sports sectors, and have good regional linkages in the UK and Wales. It has established a strong profile of practice-led training and professional preparation. London Met graduates are advantageously placed in being able to access opportunities in the fields of law, business, and social sciences with the institution's presence in central London. Its distinguished alumni include artists, politicians, and public figures like Jeremy Corbyn and Sadiq Khan, demonstrating its excellence in social justice and leadership. Cardiff Met is more suited for careers in applied creative and sport, whereas London Met provides students with access to careers in law, business, and global industries.
Research Impact & Facilities
Cardiff Met is known for applied research, especially in education, health, and sport, with significant facilities such as the National Indoor Athletics Centre. It focuses on training and employability in its infrastructure. London Met focuses on professional facilities that closely replicate real industries, such as a science "superlab" with more than 280 workstations, specialist sport and biomedical labs, a media newsroom, a radio station, and a mock courtroom for law students. Cardiff Met's facilities are sport and creative practice oriented, whereas London Met's city centre-based infrastructure is intended for business, science, and social sciences.
