Cardiff University, Cardiff
Cardiff (city and county borough), Wales | Estd in 1883 | Government University
THE Rank : 190 | QS Rank : 154
About Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a public research university in Cardiff, Wales, UK. It was established in 1883 and offers around 300 undergraduate and 200 postgraduate programmes across its three colleges namely, the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, and the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering. The University is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
Cardiff University is the only Welsh university to be a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities in the UK and is among the top 20 universities in the UK for its research impact. The university is ranked 12th in the UK in employability by the Times Higher Education Global University Employability Ranking 2024. The university is a recipient of two honorary Nobel Prizes. Cardiff University’s rankings for 2024 are 154 in the QS and 190 in THE.
Cardiff University’s acceptance rate is approximately 20% making the admittance of international students extremely competitive. Cardiff University’s admission requirements for Indian students include a minimum aggregate of 80% in class 12th and 60% in the bachelor’s programme for UG and PG admissions respectively.
Cardiff University accepts TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, CAE/CPE, or PTE Academic to meet its English proficiency requirements. The university also accepts SOPs and LORs for PG admissions. Cardiff University courses enjoy a global reputation with psychology, computer science, physiotherapy, law, and biomedical science being the most popular. The nearest application deadline for the 2024 intake is 31 January for UG courses.
Cardiff University is home to over 33,000 students with 7,500 international students representing more than 130 countries. The university has two well-structured campuses located at Cathays Park and Heath Park. The university campuses house its 26 academic schools and are well-equipped with facilities such as wifi, security, accommodation, libraries, theatres, sports and fitness facilities, and a student union. Overall, Cardiff is a very student-friendly city with low living costs and a vibrant life.
Also Read: Top courses to study in the UK
Cardiff University Highlights
- Asian: 5100
- European union: 910
- Indian: 890
- Middle East: 795
- Others: 725
Cardiff University Ranking and Stats
Cardiff University’s rankings suggest that it is one of the best universities in the world and the UK. The university is ranked 154th in the QS World University Rankings, 145th in the QS WUR Ranking By Subject, and 190th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2024.
US News and World Report, 2023 has ranked the university 152nd globally and 18th in the UK. The university is number 21 among 130 institutions in the UK in the University League Table of Complete University Guide 2024.
Cardiff University Subject Rankings by US News and World Report, 2023
Courses / Subjects | World Rankings |
Psychiatry/Psychology | 59 |
Space Science | 70 |
Neuroscience and Behavior | 99 |
Arts and Humanities | 106 |
Social Sciences and Public Health | 129 |
Biology and Biochemistry | 131 |
Economics and Business | 154 |
Engineering | 212 |
Parametric Score and Ranking 2024
Ranking by year
Show adjacently ranked institutions
Cardiff University Courses
Cardiff University offers 300 undergraduate and 200 postgraduate programmes across its 26 academic schools or 3 colleges. Some of Cardiff University’s top courses include pharmacology and pharmacy; architecture; dentistry; psychology; space science; communication and media studies, and others. Some of these courses have been ranked in the top 10 subject list of Complete University Guide Subject League Table, 2024.
Cardiff University's MB ChB (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) is a five-year undergraduate programme designed to help students establish a career as skilled doctors. The course is known for its integrated curriculum, which means that students learn about different aspects of medicine in a way that is interconnected and relevant to real-world practice. Students also gain extensive clinical experience throughout the program, starting from their first year.
Cardiff University Fees
| Courses | Duration | International Student | Local Student |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.A.(71 courses) | 3 years-4 years | ₹26.82 L - ₹27.09 L/yr | ₹12.31 L - ₹12.31 L/yr |
| B.Sc.(62 courses) | 3 years-4 years | ₹24.44 L - ₹32.65 L/yr | ₹12.16 L - ₹12.31 L/yr |
| B.E /B.Tech(12 courses) | 3 years-4 years | ₹32.65 L/yr | ₹12.31 L/yr |
| M.Sc.(9 courses) | 1 year | ₹28.28 L - ₹34.63 L/yr | ₹14.24 L - ₹17.69 L/yr |
| L.L.M(4 courses) | 1 year | ₹27.75 L/yr | ₹14.77 L/yr |
Cardiff University Cost Of Living
Cardiff University tuition fees for international students for both UG and PG courses are mentioned on the university course pages and are determined by the chosen course of study, duration of the course, and level of study. For a full-time study, the student must complete 120 credits in undergraduate and 180 credits in master’s to be awarded with a degree from Cardiff University.
Is it expensive to study at Cardiff University?
Cardiff is one of the most affordable cities in the UK and ranked second for affordability in the Natwest Student Living Index 2023. As per the UKVI guidelines, international students must have 9,207 GBP or 11,574.4 GBP to finance their living expenses and first-year tuition costs.
The University of Cardiff has estimated the annual cost of living for international students around 13,000 GBP to 17,000 GBP. However, the actual living costs in the UK may differ with the lifestyle choices and funding resources of the students. The table below shows the cost of living estimates for international students.
Cardiff University Cost of living for international students- UG
Items | Monthly Expenses in GBP |
Campus accommodation cost | 772.20 |
Study costs | 21.39 |
Food, toiletries, and laundry | 321.56 |
Clothes | 44.04 |
Socialising and Leisure | 192.54 |
Travel | 42.37 |
Mobile phone and TV license | 39.32 |
Monthly Total | 1,433.43 |
Annual total (39 weeks) | 12,900.82 |
Source: Official Website
Cardiff University Cost of living for international students- PG
Items | Monthly Expenses in GBP |
Campus accommodation cost | 778.89 |
Study costs | 21.39 |
Food, toiletries, and laundry | 321.56 |
Clothes | 44.04 |
Socialising and Leisure | 192.54 |
Travel | 31.77 |
Mobile phone and TV license | 26.83 |
Monthly Total | 1,417.02 |
Annual total (52 weeks) | 17,004.25 |
Source: Official Website
Cardiff University Admission and Application
Cardiff University’s acceptance rate is approximately around 20% which shows that the university has extremely high selectivity. Applicants who wish to study at Cardiff must demonstrate unprecedented academic excellence and research potential to gain admission at the university. International applicants can apply through UCAS for Undergraduate degree programmes and the University’s Online Application Portal for Postgraduate admissions.
How to apply for Cardiff University admission?
Applicants who wish to apply to the University of Cardiff must follow the steps given below for UG and PG programmes.
Undergraduate Programmes
Visit the UCAS website. Register using the email ID, name, and other information.
Make a UCAS application.
Examine and revise your personal statement.
Send your application regarding UCAS.
Once your application is in the UCAS database, students can fully track it.
Postgraduate Programmes
Visit the official website at cardiff.ac.uk.
Go to their course finder page
Select your course.
Select "Apply for this course."
Create an account.
Complete the application form.
After the student has submitted their application, the university will email them a username and password so they can track the progress of their application.
Cardiff University Application Deadlines
Cardiff University’s international application deadlines for most undergraduate courses (except dentistry and medicine) are mentioned below. Applicants may start their application from 1 September and can apply until 30 June but the application will be considered late.
Cardiff University Application Deadlines for Undergraduate Programmes
Particulars | Deadline |
UCAS Application for Undergraduate | 31 January 2024 |
UCAS Extra Application | 28 February 2024 |
Application Fees of Cardiff University
The University does not charge any application fees for postgraduate programmes, whereas UG applicants can pay the application fee as mentioned on the UCAS website.
Documents required for Cardiff University admission
For international students, Cardiff University has specific entry requirements.
International applicants must meet the following requirements to be considered for Cardiff University admission.
Undergraduate Requirements:
Official educational certificates
Passport photocopy
Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
Resume
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Official English Proficiency Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or CEFR)
Postgraduate Requirements
Official undergraduate transcripts
Official degree completion certificate
Official English Proficiency Test Scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or CEFR)
Letter of Recommendations (LOR)
Resume
Statement of Purpose (SOP)
Cardiff University Scholarship
Cardiff University offers a range of international scholarships to students with strong academic backgrounds. Along with merit, the scholarships are also offered to attract the best students from across the world. All the detailed information about these scholarships is mentioned on the scholarship page of the university. International students can also apply for several other scholarships in the UK to fund their studies and stay in the UK.
Cardiff University Scholarships for international students- UG and PG
Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarships | Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship |
Cardiff India scholarships | |
Commonwealth Master's Scholarship Programme | Global Wales Postgraduate Scholarship |
GREAT Scholarships 2024 | GREAT Scholarships 2024 |
Cardiff University Eligibility
Like most universities, Cardiff University’s eligibility criteria are course-specific, hence applicants can check their eligibility under their chosen course of study. However, the general eligibility for Indian applicants across various degree programmes includes.
A minimum aggregate range of 78% to 81% in the best four subjects in class 12th is required for admission to UG admission.
Successful Completion of a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with a minimum aggregate range of 55%-60% (second-class degree) is required for PG-taught admission.
For Research programmes, the applicants must have a complete relevant master's degree and have conducted prior research.
The university’s English Proficiency requirements must be met.
Any other course-specific requirements must be taken care of.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
Applicants who are not native speakers of English must demonstrate their proficiency level to meet the English language requirements of Cardiff University. The tests accepted at the university are TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, and CAE / CPE. The Indian Standard XII English score of 70% or above is also accepted to meet the proficiency requirements of most undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
International applicants who are falling short of the minimum scores needed to prove proficiency can apply for the University’s Foundation courses, Pre-sessional English, and English for University Study courses. Applicants should have taken IELTS (UKVI) or a Pearson Academic (UKVI) test as a prerequisite to apply for these courses.
Cardiff University English Proficiency Requirements for International Students- UG
Tests / Schools | TOEFL iBT | IELTS Academic |
Dentistry (BDS only) | 100 | 7.0 |
Healthcare | 90 | 7.0 |
Law and Politics | 90 | 6.5 |
Medicine (MBBCh only) | 100 | 7.0 |
Pharmacy (MPharm) | 100 | 7.0 |
*The table is continued below.
Cardiff University English Proficiency Requirements for International Students- UG
Tests / Schools | PTE Academic |
Dentistry (BDS only) | 76 |
Healthcare | 76 |
Law and Politics | 90 |
Medicine (MBBCh only) | 76 |
Pharmacy (MPharm) | 76 |
For Postgraduate study programmes, the university has specified the IELTS equivalent scores of various tests, as mentioned in the table below. Also, the tests must be taken two years before the date of application.
Cardiff University English Proficiency Requirements for International Students- PG
Tests / IELTS equivalent scores | 6.5 (5.5 in each subskill) | 6.5 (6.0 in each subskill) |
C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 176 | 180 |
TOEFL iBT | 90 | 90 |
PTE Academic | 69 | 69 |
IELTS | 6.5 | 6.5 |
*The table is continued below.
Cardiff University English Proficiency Requirements for International Students- PG
Tests / IELTS equivalent scores | 7.0 (6.5 in each subskill) | 7.5 (7.5 in each subskill) |
C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency | 185 | 195 |
TOEFL iBT | 100 | 109 |
PTE Academic | 76 | 80 |
IELTS | 7.0 | 7.5 |
Cardiff University Campus Facilities
Boys Hostel
The university operates 15 student halls and a number of student houses throughout Cardiff, providing a total of 5,362 student accommodation places. If you have a firm offer as an undergraduate student, you are guaranteed a single occupancy room in university housing with other first-year students as long as you meet certain deadlines. They have ten en-suite room options ranging from £117 per week to rooms starting at £152 per week. The other room facilities include a shared bathroom and studio.
Library
Cardiff University has over ten libraries, with over 1.2 million books and journals and an ever-expanding collection of online resources. Their modern libraries are located throughout their campuses and house specialised collections in architecture, health, law, music, and science. Their science library was previously called Draper's library.
Sports
Their sports facilities include:
Fitness and Conditioning Centre
Sports Fields
Sports Training Village
Studio 49
All of their sports facilities and activities are open to the public and businesses. The Cardiff University Athletic Union is the body that oversees more than 60 competitive and non-competitive sports clubs in Cardiff. Each year, Cardiff registers nearly 100 teams in various leagues and competitions, with students travelling all over the country to represent Cardiff University.
Transport Facility
Cardiff is a commutable city with strong air, train, and road connectivity. It is very easy to navigate the campus and city on foot or by bicycle without relying on public transportation. There are bus and train services within the city centre, its suburbs, and to various destinations outside of the city. In around two hours, students can travel to London using the high-speed rail system. Cathays and Roath student residential areas are within walking distance of the city centre. Local and national bus and coach service providers serve Cardiff University campuses well.
Cafeteria
Cardiff University has a wide range of food and drink options to suit all dietary requirements. Green Shoots Cafe, their newly opened vegetarian and vegan cafe, is located in the Main Building on Park Place and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The IV Lounge serves barista coffees, smoothies, cold drinks, freshly baked pastries and cakes, and sandwiches from 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cardiff University International Office Details
Cardiff University is home to 33,985 students including 7,530+ international students from more than 138 countries. The university provides its international students with vibrant campus life and numerous facilities and services such as career support, accommodation, scholarships, visa and immigration support, funding resources, pathway and foundation programmes, language support services, and a lot more.
Is it hard to get into Cardiff University?
Cardiff University’s acceptance rate stands around 20% according to unofficial statistics, which implies that the university is extremely competitive and selective in giving admission. International students must demonstrate a very strong academic potency to get into the university. Overseas students can contact Cardiff University at the following details.
Address: Cardiff, Wales, CF10 3AT, UK
Phone No.`+44 (0)29 2087 4000
Email: studentconnect@cardiff.ac.uk.
Cardiff University Gallery
Gallery
FAQ's
Cardiff University is known for its academic quality and research impact. The university is ranked second in the UK for research excellence and impact. Cardiff University’s popular courses include psychology, pharmacy and pharmacology, space science, arts and humanities, computer science, and physiotherapy. These courses are top-rated and have been ranked by various ranking authorities.
Cardiff University is one of the top institutions in the world and the UK as per the rankings it has been getting over the years. In 2024, Cardiff University is ranked 154th in the QS and 190th in THE, which shows that Cardiff is a top 200 university in the world. Looking at the rankings and the popularity of its academic courses and research impact, Cardiff University is a tier 1 university in the UK.
Cardiff University’s acceptance rate is around 20% (unofficial estimates), which implies that out of 100, only 20 applicants will be admitted. The university’s admission criteria are extremely competitive and selective in giving admission to international students. Applicants are required to demonstrate very high academic achievement and research aptitude to get into the university.
Cardiff University is one of the leading universities in the UK and has been serving since 1883. The university ranked 18th by the US News and World Report 2023, and 21st by the Complete University Guide 2024 in the UK. Cardiff University is in the top 30 universities in the UK.