Overview of Cardiff University's Rankings

Cardiff University, a leading public research university in Wales, consistently ranks among the top institutions in the United Kingdom and globally. Established in 1883, it has built a strong reputation for academic excellence, innovative research, and student satisfaction. Rankings provide a benchmark for its performance across various metrics, including teaching quality, research impact, international outlook, and employability. These evaluations are conducted by reputable organizations such as QS World University Rankings, Times Higher Education (THE), and national bodies like The Guardian and The Complete University Guide. Below, we explore Cardiff University's key rankings in detail, highlighting its strengths and trends over recent years.

Global University Rankings

Cardiff University performs admirably on the international stage, reflecting its commitment to world-class education and research. Global rankings assess universities based on factors like academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-to-student ratio, citations per faculty, and international faculty and student ratios.

QS World University Rankings

In the QS World University Rankings 2024, Cardiff University is ranked 154th globally, a slight improvement from 166th in 2023. This positions it as one of the top 200 universities worldwide. Notably, Cardiff excels in employer reputation, ranking in the top 100 globally for graduate employability. The university's sustainability efforts also shine, placing it 101-150th in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2023.

• Academic Reputation: Top 150 globally, driven by its strong programs in medicine, journalism, and architecture.
• Employer Reputation: 92nd worldwide, with high employability rates for graduates in sectors like healthcare and engineering.
• International Students: Attracts over 8,000 international students from 130+ countries, contributing to its diverse campus.

Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings

The THE rankings emphasize research quality and teaching environment. In 2024, Cardiff is placed in the 101-125 band globally, up from 126-150 in 2023. This ranking underscores its research intensity, with 90% of its research rated as world-leading or internationally excellent in the UK's Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.

• Research Quality: Ranked 101st globally, with particular strengths in clinical and health sciences.
• Industry Income: Top 100 for innovation and knowledge transfer to industry.
• International Outlook: Strong performance due to partnerships with over 400 global institutions.

Academic Ranking of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking)

Also known as the ARWU, this ranking focuses heavily on research output. Cardiff University is positioned in the 201-300 band for 2023, reflecting its contributions to fields like earth sciences and social sciences. The university has seen steady progress, entering this bracket in recent years due to increased publications in high-impact journals.

National Rankings in the UK

Within the UK, Cardiff University is recognized as a top-tier institution, often ranking in the top 30 out of over 130 universities. National rankings prioritize student experience, entry standards, and value-added metrics.

The Complete University Guide 2024

Cardiff ranks 21st in the UK, an improvement from 25th in 2023. This guide evaluates universities on 10 indicators, including student satisfaction and research quality.

Category	UK Rank	Score (%)
Entry Standards	22nd	85
Student Satisfaction	28th	82
Research Quality	18th	88
Graduate Prospects	24th	84

This table highlights Cardiff's balanced performance, with research standing out as a key strength.

The Guardian University Guide 2024

In The Guardian's 2024 rankings, Cardiff is at 25th in the UK, praised for its value-added score and career prospects. The guide weights student outcomes heavily, and Cardiff scores highly in satisfied with teaching (4.1/5) and feedback (4.0/5) from the National Student Survey (NSS).

• Contextual Value Added: 20th, indicating strong support for students from diverse backgrounds.
• Career After 15 Months: 22nd, with 95% of graduates in work or further study.
• International Student Satisfaction: Above average, fostering an inclusive environment.

National Student Survey (NSS) and Other Metrics

The NSS 2023 results show Cardiff with an overall satisfaction rate of 82%, above the UK average of 80%. In league tables like the Good University Guide, it ranks 23rd for student experience.

Subject-Specific Rankings

Cardiff University shines in numerous disciplines, often ranking in the global top 100. Its subject rankings demonstrate depth in professional and research-oriented fields.

Top-Performing Subjects in QS Subject Rankings 2023

• Medicine: 51-100th globally; 5th in the UK. Cardiff's School of Medicine is renowned for its clinical training and research in oncology and cardiology.
• Communication & Media Studies (Journalism): 19th globally; 2nd in the UK. Home to the Cardiff University School of Journalism, Media and Culture, a leader in investigative reporting.
• Architecture: 51-100th globally; top 10 in the UK. The Welsh School of Architecture emphasizes sustainable design.
• Law: 101-150th globally; 20th in the UK, with strengths in human rights and commercial law.
• Earth & Marine Sciences: 51-100th globally, bolstered by research at the National Oceanography Centre.

THE Subject Rankings 2023

Cardiff achieves top 100 status in several areas:

• Clinical & Health: 76th globally, driven by the largest dental school in the UK.
• Business & Economics: 101-125th, with Cardiff Business School accredited by AACSB and EQUIS.
• Psychology: 101-125th, focusing on cognitive and clinical research.

In the UK-focused subject tables from The Complete University Guide, Cardiff ranks 1st in Dentistry, 5th in Medicine, and top 10 in Pharmacy and Pharmacology. These rankings attract high-caliber students and funding, enhancing the university's global profile.

Research and Employability Rankings

Cardiff's research prowess is evident in the REF 2021, where 86% of its submissions were rated world-leading or internationally excellent, placing it 21st in the UK for research power. In terms of employability, the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022 position Cardiff at 101-110th globally, with partnerships like the Cardiff Capital Region Deal boosting innovation.

Key Achievements and Trends

• Sustainability: Ranked 22nd in the UK by People & Planet's Green League 2023 for environmental initiatives.
• Innovation: Top 50 in the UK for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, linking academia with industry.
• Trends Over Time: From 2019 to 2024, Cardiff has climbed approximately 20 spots in global rankings, reflecting investments in digital infrastructure and international collaborations.

Overall, Cardiff University's rankings affirm its status as a dynamic, research-intensive institution. Prospective students benefit from its vibrant city location, supportive community, and pathways to successful careers. For the most current data, refer to official ranking websites, as positions can fluctuate annually.