Indian Institute of Technology Madras vs Cardiff University: Complete Comparison 2026
Side-by-side look at Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Cardiff University: QS 2026 ranks 180 vs 181. Acceptance, tuition, language tests, and typical I…
→ Indian Institute of Technology Madras profile → Cardiff University profile
Summary comparison
Figures come from the GlobalAdmit dataset — always confirm on each university’s official admissions site.
| Metric | Indian Institute of Technology Madras | Cardiff University |
|---|---|---|
| QS rank 2026 | 180 | 181 |
| Location | Chennai, IN 🇮🇳 | Cardiff, GB 🇬🇧 |
| Tier | top300 | top300 |
| Acceptance rate | — | — |
| Tuition (intl / yr) | — | — |
| Testing policy (US HS notes) | US-style transcripts may be used for eligible international applicants; verify current brochure. | US high school pathway supported; SAT/ACT usage varies—check international undergraduate admissions. |
| Standardised test (mid / range) | — | — |
| Language (summary) | — | — |
| IB typical | IB Diploma accepted for international undergraduate programmes where offered; check department prerequisites. | IB Diploma with HL minima per programme; contextual offers may apply for eligible applicants. |
| A-Level typical | — | Typical offers list subject requirements; medicine and dentistry use additional admissions tests. |
| Notable programmes | — | — |
Strengths
Indian Institute of Technology Madras
- Distinct academic brand and a global alumni footprint.
- Distinct academic brand and a global alumni footprint.
- Distinct academic brand and a global alumni footprint.
Cardiff University
- UK-style undergraduate depth with strong research postgraduate pathways.
- Distinct academic brand and a global alumni footprint.
- Distinct academic brand and a global alumni footprint.
Popular majors (overlap)
Where both profiles list the same popular major label (case-insensitive).
No overlapping popular-major labels in our dataset yet — open each profile for subject-level detail.
Which is right for you?
If rankings are your north star
Indian Institute of Technology Madras sits higher in QS 2026 (180 vs 181). That often correlates with research intensity and global name recognition — but Cardiff University can still win on programme fit, city, or cost.
If you are coming from IB / A-Levels / US high school
Compare the admission tabs on each profile: Indian Institute of Technology Madras vs Cardiff University can invert depending on whether you are optimising for IB typical offers, A-level expectations, or US-style testing. Use the evaluator after you narrow your list.