Cardiff Metropolitan University Rankings 2025

Cardiff Metropolitan University ranks in the 1001-1200 band on Times Higher Education and falls between 101-140 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject. With over 110 undergraduate and 75 postgraduate programs, it delivers a wide academic portfolio across five specialist schools, including management, technologies, and sport.

Graduate success is a hallmark here, with 95.6% in employment or further study within 15 months. Programs carry accreditations from professional bodies such as CIM, ACCA, and CIMA, ensuring practical value and industry relevance. Over 11,000 students from 140+ nationalities study across facilities like advanced sports centres and digital learning environments.

Cardiff Metropolitan University World Rankings 2024-25

Rankings are crucial to a university's global recognition and academic performance. Cardiff Metropolitan University's world rankings are essential in attracting international students, encouraging research partnerships, and shaping its reputation globally.

Cardiff Met currently ranks in the 1001-1200 band in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025. In the QS World University Rankings, it ranks between 101 and 140.

Let’s look below to see how Cardiff Metropolitan has performed across these major global ranking platforms.

Now, take a closer look at how these numbers have shifted over time with a visual representation of the Cardiff Metropolitan University rankings.

Cardiff Metropolitan University has shown stability in the QS World University Rankings, consistently holding the #101-140 range over the past few years.

In contrast, the Times Higher Education rankings reveal a slight fluctuation, with the university moving from the #1201-1500 band in 2024 back to #1001-1200 in 2025. This indicates a positive shift in its global standing.

Not sure how to align your goals? Cardiff Metropolitan University ranking shows enhanced programs and clearer career outcomes. Book a free 1:1 consultation with upGrad’s experts to explore customized programs and career paths success.

Subject-wise Rankings of Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff Metropolitan University’s course rankings reflect its commitment to both academic quality and industry relevance. For example, Art and Design ranks 24th in the UK, with notable achievements in research (13th) and graduate prospects (19th).

The university’s focus on practical learning and industry partnerships is evident in its strong performance in Hospitality and Sport Science, particularly in research, industry collaboration, and employability.

Below is a subject-wise overview of Cardiff Metropolitan University rankings, as recognized by leading global ranking agencies.

QS Rankings 2025

QS Rankings are a prominent global benchmark that assesses universities based on academic reputation and international diversity. For instance, Cardiff Metropolitan University ranks 101-140 in Sports-Related Subjects, highlighting its strong reputation and focus on industry-relevant education.

This ranking emphasizes the university's commitment to delivering high-quality programs that align with the demands of the sports industry.

Here are the subjects organized by category rankings:

Following the QS rankings, the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings provide additional insight into Cardiff Metropolitan University’s global standing.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2025

Times Higher Education (THE) rankings evaluate universities on teaching, research depth, and international outlook, giving weight to how institutions shape both academic and career outcomes.

Cardiff Metropolitan’s placement in the 601-800 band for Clinical and Health shows its practical engagement in health-related training. Meanwhile, its 501-600 ranking in Education highlights sustained focus on teacher development and education policy.

Below are the subject-wise rankings for Times Higher Education (THE):

Note: Rankings may change due to annual assessments and updates in methodology.

While these Cardiff Metropolitan University rankings highlight academic consistency, other independent evaluations offer additional insight into areas often overlooked in global league tables.

Miscellaneous Ranking 2025

Cardiff Metropolitan University continues to gain recognition for its dedication to sustainability and academic excellence. It ranks prominently in various global rankings, such as the QS Sustainability Rankings, where it is placed in the #1501+ range.

Additionally, in the Europe University Rankings, it holds the #153 position in Northern Europe and #521-530 overall. These achievements showcase the university's ongoing commitment to promoting a sustainable and forward-thinking academic environment.

Below is a closer look at Cardiff Met’s rankings across key global and regional categories:

These rankings reflect Cardiff Met’s broader commitment to providing an enriching university experience for students. It further solidifies its reputation as an institution that prioritizes both academic excellence and well-being.

Now, let’s explore some of the university's key achievements that highlight its ongoing pursuit of excellence across diverse areas.

Cardiff Metropolitan University: Excellence and Achievements

Cardiff Metropolitan University is widely recognized for its commitment to sustainability, graduate employability, and student satisfaction. As ranked by the People & Planet University League, it holds #1 position in Wales for sustainability, with an impressive 82.3% score.

In addition to sustainability, Cardiff Met excels in graduate employability, with 95.6% of its graduates either employed or continuing their studies shortly after graduation.

The university has also seen significant improvement in student satisfaction, as evidenced by a 7.9% increase in its National Student Survey (NSS) score, now at 81%. Here’s a breakdown of the university’s accomplishments across various sectors:

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

Cardiff Metropolitan University has earned significant recognition for its academic contributions and national impact. Ranked 6th in the UK and 1st in Wales for sustainability in 2023, the university also holds a spot in the Fairtrade University 2022-24 cohort.

These recognitions demonstrate its commitment to excellence in both education and sustainability. Cardiff Met's achievements reflect a well-rounded approach to academic leadership and social responsibility.

Here are some of its key academic and national recognitions:

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

Recognition from the Global Student Living Awards and USwitch Gold Award reflects Cardiff Met’s structural shift in campus living. Practical measures like electric fleets and on-site solar generation have cut over 4,000 tonnes of annual carbon emissions, equivalent to 500 UK homes.

Awards in this area show how students' quality of life has measurably improved. Here are some universities' key contributions to community and lifestyle recognitions:

Cultural and Creative Excellence

At Cardiff Met, creative values extend beyond classrooms into everyday culture. Achievements like the SRA Gold Award and Green Gown recognitions reflect how food, space, and practice are designed with ethics in mind.

Cultural awareness is visible in Fairtrade campaigns and long-term commitments, like diverting all waste from landfill since 2013. It proves that creativity here is grounded in conscious, consistent choices.

Here are some key contributions of the university in this space:

Cardiff Met has transformed principles into measurable outcomes, from equitable education to carbon-neutral operations. Its consistent presence across national awards and sector rankings shows that excellence here is built into every layer, academic, environmental, and cultural.

Now, let’s explore how rankings and acceptance rates influence its global academic reputation.

Cardiff Metropolitan University: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

Ranked between 1001-1200 by THE and 101-140 by QS, Cardiff Met consistently draws applicants from over 140 countries.

 While no official acceptance rate is published by the university, the broad intake across 180+ undergraduate and postgraduate programs indicates a moderate to accessible admission threshold.

In addition, strong outcomes, like graduate employability, continue to drive demand despite the lack of formal acceptance figures.

To better understand these rankings, it's crucial to explore the methodologies used by different ranking bodies. This gives a clearer idea of what drives these rankings and how Cardiff Metropolitan University is assessed in comparison.

Ranking Bodies Methodologies

Different ranking systems focus on distinct criteria. QS emphasizes academic reputation at 30% while the THE allocates 32.5% to teaching quality. By understanding these metrics, you can better interpret Cardiff Metropolitan University’s academic rankings.

When paired with the university’s strong support for employability, these rankings serve as a helpful tool for making informed academic decisions. 

Let’s now explore the methodologies behind these rankings and the key indicators used to evaluate universities.

QS World University Rankings

The QS rankings assess universities from various perspectives, strongly focusing on research output, faculty quality, and international engagement.

This methodology provides valuable insight into how Cardiff Metropolitan University is viewed within global academic and professional communities.

Below are the key focus areas and the indicators used to evaluate performance.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

The Times Higher Education rankings provide a unique evaluation by combining teaching quality, research performance, and international diversity to measure a university’s global position. Unlike other ranking systems, THE emphasizes research funding and institutional collaboration.

This approach reflects Cardiff Metropolitan University’s capacity to impact economically while building meaningful global research and educational partnerships. Here’s a deeper look at the key factors that influence their rankings.

Each ranking body evaluates universities based on different criteria, such as research impact, teaching quality, and student outcomes. This approach provides a comprehensive view of a university's global standing, highlighting its strengths across various academic dimensions.

Conclusion

Cardiff Metropolitan University’s global positioning is marked by its consistent rankings, holding steady between the 1001-1200 range in the THE rankings and 101-140 in QS Rankings. This places the university among respected global institutions.

Its subject-wise rankings, such as in Hospitality and Leisure Management (#151-160) and Clinical and Health (#601-800), further represent Cardiff Met's strong academic focus and practical relevance in key disciplines. This provides a solid foundation for students pursuing careers in these areas.