Cardiff Metropolitan University Ranking 2026: Global Standing, Subject Strengths

Introduction 

Cardiff Metropolitan University continues to gain recognition in the UK and internationally for its career-focused education, teaching quality, and high graduate employability. In the Guardian University Guide 2025, Cardiff Met is ranked #82 in the UK, showing consistent year-on-year improvement. It also ranks #66 in the Complete University Guide 2026 and sits within the #1001–1200 band globally in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2025. 

Here is a detailed overview of the Cardiff Metropolitan University ranking  in 2025–26, covering subject-specific strengths, sustainability impact, employability outcomes, and why it’s becoming a top destination for Indian and international students. 

H2: How is Cardiff Metropolitan University ranked in 2025–26? 

Over the past few years, Cardiff Metropolitan University has demonstrated steady progress across major UK and global university rankings. Here's a snapshot of its position across top-ranking bodies: 

Ranking Body	2024	2025	2026
THE World University Rankings	1201-1500 band	1001-1200 band  (#94 in UK)	NA
Complete University Guide (UK)	#71 in UK	#62 in UK	#66 in UK
Guardian University Guide (UK)	#100 in UK	#82 in UK	NA

In 2025, Cardiff Metropolitan University made notable improvements in both national and global rankings: 

• It climbed to the 1001–1200 band in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, up from the 1201–1500 band the previous year, reflecting better international outlook, research environment, and teaching quality. It also ranked #94 among UK universities within the same framework. 
• In the Complete University Guide 2025, Cardiff Met jumped from #71 to #62, its highest position in recent years. Although it slightly dipped to #66 in 2026, it still holds a strong mid-tier national standing. 
• According to the Guardian University Guide, Cardiff Met rose significantly from #100 in 2024 to #82 in 2025, indicating increased student satisfaction and improved graduate prospects. 

Overall, these trends signal Cardiff Met's growing reputation as a modern, employability-focused UK university especially attractive to international postgraduates seeking affordable, career-driven education. 

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What are Cardiff Metropolitan University’s Top-Ranked Subjects in 2025? 

Cardiff Metropolitan University has established itself as a leading institution in a diverse range of subjects, earning impressive rankings both nationally and globally in 2025. According to the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject, Cardiff Met ranks within the top 600 globally for Education, and in the 601–800 band for Business & Economics and Clinical & Health, highlighting its growing international reputation. Nationally, the Complete University Guide (CUG) places Cardiff Met’s Speech & Language Therapy program 6th in the UK, while its Architecture and Sport Science courses rank 16th and 22nd respectively. These rankings reflect the university’s commitment to academic excellence, practical skills, and industry connections across health sciences, sports, business, and design disciplines. 

How do Cardiff University subjects rank globally? 

Cardiff Metropolitan University has made notable strides on the global stage in several key subject areas. According to the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings by Subject, the university ranks within the top 600 globally for Education, and falls within the 601–800 band for Business & Economics and Clinical & Health. These rankings highlight Cardiff Met’s growing international reputation and its commitment to delivering quality education and research with global impact. 

Cardiff Metropolitan University – THE Subject Ranking Trends (2023–2025) 

Subject Area	THE Ranking 2023	THE Ranking 2024	THE Ranking 2025
Education	501–600	501–600	501–600
Business & Economics	NA	NA	601–800
Clinical & Health	601–800	601–800	601–800

• MBA (Business & Economics): Cardiff entered THE rankings for Business & Economics in 2025, placing in the 601–800 range. Although not ranked in previous years, this reflects growing international recognition for business programs. 
• Education: Rankings have remained steady in the 501–600 band from 2023–2025. Education students can expect reliable teaching quality, research support, and consistent student outcomes. 
• Clinical & Health: Consistently ranked 601–800 across 2023–2025, the Clinical & Health programs offer dependable quality, structured learning, and clinical exposure for health-focused students. 

 Cardiff Met demonstrates stability in Education and Clinical & Health, while its MBA/Business programs are gaining global visibility, making it a growing choice for business and management students seeking affordable UK education with career-focused outcomes. 

How do Cardiff Met’s subjects rank in the UK? 

Cardiff Metropolitan University holds strong positions in several UK-specific subject rankings, as highlighted by the 2026 Complete University Guide (CUG). The university’s Speech & Language Therapy program ranks an impressive 5th in the UK, showcasing its expertise in health sciences. Additionally, Cardiff Met’s Architecture and Sport Science courses are ranked 21th and 15nd respectively, reflecting the university’s dedication to both creative disciplines and sports education. These rankings affirm Cardiff Met’s reputation as a leading institution within the UK. 

Cardiff Metropolitan University – CUG Subject Ranking Trends (2024–2026) 

Subject Area	2024 Rank	2025 Rank	2026 Rank
Speech & Language Therapy	4	6	5
Architecture	16	16	21
Sport Science	19	18	15
Business & Management Studies UK	97	94	85
Communication & Media Studies	–	90	86
Computer Science	94	96	93
Electrical & Electronic Engineering	–	–	71

• MBA & Business: Cardiff Met’s Business & Management Studies rankings have shown notable improvement, moving from 97 in 2024 → 94 in 2025 → 85 in 2026. This upward trend highlights the university’s focus on practical business education, career-oriented programs, and strong industry links, making it an attractive choice for MBA and management students. 
• Engineering & Technology: Cardiff Met’s Computer Science program has maintained a steady performance (94 → 96 → 93), reflecting consistent teaching quality and research outcomes. Electrical & Electronic Engineering, ranked 71 in 2026, demonstrates growing recognition and rapid development in engineering disciplines. These trends underscore Cardiff Met’s commitment to providing career-ready, technologically advanced programs for STEM-focused students. 

How does Cardiff Metropolitan University compare to other universities? 

When comparing Cardiff Metropolitan University with other UK institutions such as Middlesex University, University of East London (UEL), and University of Greenwich, it shows a mixed performance across global and national rankings. 

University	THE World Ranking 2025	Complete University Guide (CUG) Rank 2026	Guardian University Guide Rank 2025
Cardiff Metropolitan University	1001-1200	#66	#82
Middlesex University	501-600	#113	#113
University of East London (UEL)	1001-1200	#126	#56
University of Greenwich	501-600	#106	#117

THE World Ranking (Times Higher Education) 

• Cardiff Metropolitan University falls within the 1001–1200 band, which is similar to UEL but behind Middlesex and Greenwich, both ranked between 501–600. This suggests Cardiff Met may not have as strong a global research profile or international reputation as some of its peers. 

Complete University Guide (CUG) 2026 

• Nationally, Cardiff Met ranks #66, placing it well ahead of Middlesex (#113), UEL (#126), and Greenwich (#106). This indicates stronger performance in teaching quality, student satisfaction, and graduate prospects within the UK. 

Guardian University Guide 2025 

• Cardiff Met holds a mid-range position at #82, outperforming Middlesex (#113) and Greenwich (#117), but slightly behind UEL (#56). Since the Guardian guide places more emphasis on student experience and satisfaction, this suggests Cardiff Met performs solidly but may lag behind UEL in areas like student support or career services. 

While Cardiff Metropolitan University may not score as highly in global rankings, it shows stronger national performance compared to similar post-1992 universities. It stands out in the Complete University Guide in particular, reflecting a solid reputation within the UK for teaching and student outcomes. However, for students prioritizing international reputation, institutions like Middlesex or Greenwich may appear more competitive. 

What is the employability outlook and student satisfaction at Cardiff Met? 

Cardiff Metropolitan University consistently performs well in graduate employability and is increasingly recognized for student satisfaction. Its career-focused courses, strong industry links, and supportive environment contribute to its growing reputation. 

How is Cardiff Met rated for graduate employability? 

Cardiff Metropolitan University has established itself as a leader in graduate employability, particularly within Wales. The latest data from the 2025 Graduate Outcomes Survey (HESA) highlights the university’s continued success in preparing students for the workforce. 

According to the survey: 

• 94.4% of Cardiff Met graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduation, placing the university 1st in Wales for graduate employability. 
• Of those graduates, 74.8% were in graduate-level jobs or further study, reflecting a steady improvement in the quality of post-degree outcomes. 
• Additionally, around 61% of graduates remained in Wales for employment, most of them within the Cardiff Capital Region. This reinforces the university’s role as a key contributor to the local economy and regional talent pipeline. 

These figures demonstrate Cardiff Met’s strong commitment to career readiness. The university’s focus on practical learning, industry-aligned programs, and proactive careers support continues to drive positive outcomes for its students across all disciplines. 

Whether measured by national rankings or regional impact, Cardiff Met stands out as a top choice for students looking to secure strong career prospects after graduation. 

How satisfied are students with Cardiff Met? 

Cardiff Metropolitan University has seen a notable rise in student satisfaction, reflecting its continued commitment to delivering a high-quality student experience. According to the National Student Survey (NSS) 2024, overall student satisfaction at Cardiff Met has increased to 81%, representing a 7.9 percentage-point improvement from the previous year. 

This places the university above the Welsh average, with enhancements reported across key areas such as teaching quality, assessment methods, and student voice. Furthermore, the survey revealed that 12 undergraduate degree programs achieved over 90% satisfaction, with five programs reaching a perfect 100% satisfaction score. 

These results highlight the university’s growing reputation among its student body and its effectiveness in creating a supportive, engaging academic environment. 

Conclusion: Why Choose Cardiff Metropolitan University? 

Cardiff Met ranks solidly in UK guides (#66 Complete University Guide, #82 Guardian 2025) and is among the top globally (THE ranking 1001–1200). It leads Wales with a 94.4% graduate employment or further study rate, thanks to its practical courses and strong employer links. Student satisfaction is rising, hitting 81% in the 2024 National Student Survey, above the Welsh average. 

With a supportive campus, inclusive culture, and prime location in Cardiff, the university offers a well-rounded education that equips students for career success in today’s competitive world. 

Choosing Cardiff Met means choosing a future-focused university dedicated to your growth and employability.