Cardiff Metropolitan University Ranking

Did You Know? To apply for international scholarships at Cardiff Metropolitan University, you must accept your offer and pay the deposit by the deadline stated in your offer letter. The main scholarship window runs from 14 August to 3 November 2025.

Cardiff Metropolitan University is one of the UK’s most career-focused institutions. With over 110 undergraduate and 75 postgraduate programs, it offers a broad academic portfolio across five specialist schools, including management, technologies, and sport.

It has a student population of around 11,500, including over 1,200 international students from more than 140 countries. 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. The Cardiff Metropolitan University ranking reflects its growing academic reach and subject-level strengths. 

Graduate success is a hallmark here, with 95.6% in employment or further study within 15 months. If you plan to study in the UK, Cardiff Metropolitan University offers career-focused education and global exposure. 

Cardiff Metropolitan University Rankings 2025-26

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 from 2023 to 2026. These rankings are essential in attracting international students, encouraging research partnerships, and shaping its reputation globally.

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

Ranking Agency	2023	2024	2025	2026
QS World University Rankings (Subject-wise)	#101-140	#101-140	#101-140	#101-140
Times Higher Education (THE)	#1001-1200	#1201-1500	#1001-1200	TBA

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 by subject, 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.

Now let’s explore how Cardiff performs in subject-wise rankings in different ranking bodies. 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 programs, like a Master's in Arts, rank 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 means if you’re looking to pursue a master’s or bachelor’s in hospitality management, Cardiff is a good choice. 

Here are the subjects organized by category rankings:

Program	Rank 2025
Sports-Related Subjects	101-140
Hospitality and Leisure Management	151-160

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) ranks Cardiff Metropolitan in the 601-800 band for Medical and Health, reflecting its applied focus in healthcare training. It also holds a 501-600 spot in Education, showing strength in teacher development. The university is not listed in U.S. News & World Report rankings.

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

Program	Rank 2025
Education	501-600
Clinical and Health	601-800
Business and Management	601-800

 

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 is gaining recognition for sustainability and academics. It ranks in the #1501+ band in QS Sustainability Rankings. In the QS Europe University Rankings, it holds #153 in Northern Europe and #521–530 overall. These results strengthen its profile among the top universities in the UK.

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

Ranking Body	Ranking/Accreditation
QS Sustainability Rankings	#1501+
QS Europe University Rankings - Northern Europe	#153
QS Europe University Rankings	#521-530
Privy Council	Institutional recognition and degree-awarding powers since 1996
Education Workforce Council	Cardiff Partnership for ITE is accredited for teacher training programs

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 has made a name for itself in sustainability, graduate employability, and student experience. It consistently ranks #1 in Wales in the People & Planet University League, although its UK-wide rank shifted from #1 in 2022/23 to #12 in 2024. In terms of career outcomes, 94.4% of its graduates are employed or in further study, earning it the top spot in Wales for graduate employability.

These results support its growing reputation among the top universities in the UK for Master's and Bachelor's programs.

Here’s a breakdown of the university’s accomplishments across various sectors:

Academic Excellence and National Recognition

Cardiff Metropolitan University ranks among the best public universities in the UK for combining academic performance with sustainability. It placed 6th in the UK and 1st in Wales for sustainability in 2023 and is part of the Fairtrade University 2022–24 cohort. These achievements highlight its commitment to ethical practices and institutional quality.

Here are some of its key academic and national recognitions.

Category	Recognition
BERA Equality in Education Award	BERA Equality in Education Award for Chantelle Haughton(Principal Lecturer, Cardiff Metropolitan University) for advocating diversity, equity, and inclusion in education
National Student Survey (NSS)	Cardiff Met’s student satisfaction rating rose to 81% in the 2024 National Student Survey.
Fairtrade University 2022-24 Cohort Acknowledged for promoting Fairtrade goods.	Acknowledged for promoting Fairtrade goods
Cardiff Life Awards – Shortlisted	Nominated for Most Sustainable Business

Now, let’s review the university’s achievements in community involvement and campus life.

Community and Lifestyle Recognitions

Cardiff Metropolitan University has earned multiple awards for its sustainability-driven campus experience. Recognition like the Global Student Living Awards and USwitch Gold Award highlight its commitment to enhancing student life in the UK. 

Initiatives such as electric fleets and solar generation have cut over 4,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, improving both the environment and campus living.

Here are some of the university’s key contributions to community and lifestyle recognitions.

Category	Recognition
Global Student Living Awards - Shortlisted	Best Environmental Management
Tuco Award Sustainability	Recognized for catering services
USwitch Gold Award Sustainability	A symbol of the university’s significant achievements, such as carbon reduction and initiatives within the campus.
Silver Hedgehog Friendly Campus Award	Recognized for campus management

Beyond sustainability and community, Cardiff Met also stands out for its dedication to arts, design, and creative expression.

Cultural and Creative Excellence

Cardiff Metropolitan University nurtures talent in design, writing, and creative enterprise through hands-on programs and public showcases. From the Graduate Degree Shows to community-driven literary events, students gain real-world exposure and mentorship. 

Cardiff Metropolitan University actively develops talent in design, writing, and creative enterprise. This is achieved through practical programs and public exhibitions, offering students real-world experience and guidance. Notable examples include the Graduate Degree Shows and various community-focused literary events. Its Creative Writing BA and MA, taught by published professionals, position it among the best places to study abroad for creative writing.

Here are some recognitions that highlight the university’s creative and cultural strengths.

Category	Recognition
Graduate Degree Shows	The Annual School of Art & Design showcases exceptional student work across undergraduate and postgraduate programs each year.
Creative Enterprise & Innovation MA	Postgraduate programme enabling practice-led research, culminating in public exhibitions and enterprise launches .
Creative Writing MA & BA	Taught by published professionals; features open-mic nights, retreats, manuscript preparation, and community literary events .

 

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

Cardiff Metropolitan University: Ranking V/S Acceptance Rate

Cardiff Metropolitan University attracts students from over 140 countries, driven by its global subject strengths. It ranks 101-140 globally in Sports-Related Subjects in QS Rankings 2025, reflecting its focus on sports management courses and performance sciences. 

While the university does not publish an official acceptance rate, its broad intake across 180+ programs suggests a moderate admission threshold.

Here’s the overview of Cardiff Metropolitan University course rankings and acceptance rate. 

Program	QS Ranking 2025	Acceptance Rate
Sports-Related Subjects	101-140	NA
Hospitality and Leisure Management	151-160	NA

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 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 emphasize employment outcomes, academic influence, and international diversity. Employment Outcomes carry a 5% weight, highlighting how well universities prepare students for jobs and internships. This focus is especially relevant for applicants comparing graduate success across institutions.

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

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Research and Discovery	Academic Reputation	30%
	Citations per Faculty	20%
Employability and Outcomes	Employer Reputation	15%
	Employment Outcomes	5%
Global Engagement	International Faculty Ratio	5%
	International Research Network	5%
	International Student Ratio	5%
	International Student Diversity	0%
Learning Experience	Faculty Student Ratio	10%
Sustainability	Sustainability	5%

These metrics help you understand how QS evaluates institutions worldwide based on research strength, teaching quality, and global employability.

Now, let’s see how the Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings use a broader set of indicators to assess institutional performance.

Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings

The Times Higher Education rankings evaluate universities across teaching quality, research strength, and global presence. International collaboration and research impact carry over 10% combined weight, making THE a strong indicator of how institutions support global engagement and international internships. 

It also emphasizes institutional income and research funding, which signal long-term academic investment.

The table below breaks down the core metrics used by THE to assess university performance worldwide.

Focus Area	Indicators	Weightage
Teaching	Teaching Reputation	15%
	Staff-to-student ratio	4.5%
	Doctorate-to-bachelor’s ratio	2%
	Doctorates-awarded-to-academic-staff ratio	5.5%
	Institutional income	2.5%
Research Environment	Research reputation	18%
	Research income	5.5%
	Research productivity	5.5%
Research Quality	Citation impact	15%
	Research strength	5%
	Research excellence	5%
	Research influence	5%
International Outlook	Proportion of international students	2.5%
	Proportion of international staff	2.5%
	International collaboration	2.5%
Industry	Industry income	2%
	Patents	2%

Each ranking body evaluates universities based on different criteria, such as research impact, teaching quality, and student outcomes.

Conclusion

Cardiff Metropolitan University continues to strengthen its global reputation with consistent placements in major rankings. It holds a stable position in the QS Rankings (101-140 by subject) and THE Rankings (1001-1200 overall). Standout areas include Sports-Related Subjects (#101-140) and Hospitality and Leisure Management (#151-160), reflecting its practical, career-focused education. 

With high graduate employability (95.6%), sustainability achievements, and subject-level recognition, Cardiff Met stands as a strong choice for students aiming to study in the UK with real-world outcomes.