Cardiff University in England, Wales is one of the top research universities in the UK and worldwide. It is known for its high-quality education and groundbreaking research, attracting students from over 100 countries and establishing partnerships with numerous international organizations and institutions.
Cardiff University first opened its doors in October 1883 and was officially granted university status in 1884 by Royal Charter. At that time, it was known as the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire.
- In 1893, the university became one of the founding members of the University of Wales and gained the right to award degrees on its behalf.
- By 1972, it was renamed University College, Cardiff, and after merging with the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (1988), it adopted its current name, Cardiff University (1999).
- In 2004, Cardiff University merged with the University of Wales College of Medicine.
- Since 2005, the university has become independent from the University of Wales and now has the authority to award its own academic degrees.
Cardiff University has its own coat of arms, a symbol of pride for generations of students.
Today, the University holds a leading position in education, research, innovation, and international collaboration. Its primary mission is to train highly qualified specialists and conduct globally significant research, fulfilling its social, cultural, and economic responsibilities to Wales and the world.
Cardiff University is located in Cardiff, the welcoming and safe capital of Wales. It has two main campuses – Cathays Park and Heath Park.
- Cathays Park is situated in the heart of Cardiff and houses most of the university’s academic schools. Recently, around £75 million has been invested in developing research facilities on this campus.
- Heath Park shares its 53-acre site with the University Hospital of Wales (900 beds), one of the largest hospitals in the UK.
- Additionally, the campuses provide numerous facilities and services that support both academic and social life, including libraries with computer rooms, four sports centers, featuring a swimming pool, 33 acres of sports fields, a fitness center, various other recreational facilities.
The Student Community of Cardiff University ranks 5th among all university communities in the UK. The social life of students is quite vibrant, as the Student Community offers more than 200 sports clubs, popular nightclubs, its own comedy club, and even a pub, shops, and hair salons. Students can take part in the student newspaper, radio, and television station, as well as various volunteer and charity initiatives.
Accommodation:International students are guaranteed a place in a student residence for their first year of study. There are two types of student residences:
- With catering (full or partial),
- Self-catered.
There are various room options available:
- Single rooms with en-suite facilities,
- Shared rooms,
- Studio apartments,
- Two-bedroom apartments,
- Three-person houses.
All residences are located near the main campuses.
The cost of accommodation ranges from £4,130 to £10,231 per year.
Cardiff's Accommodation Services can assist students in finding private housing if desired.
Why Cardiff University?Cardiff University, one of the UK's most prestigious universities and a member of the
Russell Group, stands out for several reasons:
- Ranked 8th in the UK by student population.
- Ranked 5th in the UK for research excellence (Research Excellence Framework 2014).
- Research activities have generated around £500 million in funding.
- 87% student satisfaction with the quality of education.
- An alumni network of 145,000 graduates from over 180 countries worldwide.
- Accredited by prestigious organizations such as Investors in People, QAA, and Athena SWAN.
Programmes:- Pre-Sessional English Course,
- International Foundation,
- Undergraduate (Bachelor’s Degree),
- Postgraduate (Master’s Degree),
- Erasmus+.
University Structure:All academic schools at Cardiff University are grouped into three colleges:
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences- School of Business,
- English, Communication and Philosophy,
- Geography and Planning,
- History, Archaeology and Religion,
- Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies,
- Law and Politics,
- Modern Languages,
- Music,
- Social Sciences,
- Welsh Language.
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences- Biosciences,
- Dentistry,
- Healthcare Sciences,
- Medicine,
- Optometry and Vision Sciences,
- Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences,
- Psychology,
- Wales Deanery (Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education - PGMDE).
College of Physical Sciences and Engineering- Architecture,
- Chemistry,
- Computer Science and Informatics,
- Earth and Ocean Sciences,
- Engineering,
- Mathematics,
- Physics and Astronomy.
Most Popular Fields of Study:- Medicine,
- Architecture,
- Social Sciences,
- Humanities,
- Engineering,
- Journalism.
Application Dates:- October 15 – For medical programs,
- January 15 – For all other programs.
Entry Requirements:International Foundation:- High school diploma with GPA 4.0/5.0
- IELTS 5.5 (6.0 for medical programs)
Undergraduate:- High school diploma with GPA 4.0/5.0
- International Foundation / minimum 1 year of undergraduate studies / A-level / IB
- IELTS 6.5 (minimum 7.0 for medical programs)
Postgraduate:- Bachelor's degree with GPA 4.0/5.0
- IELTS 6.5 (minimum 7.0 for medical programs)
Scholarships:Cardiff University offers a wide range of prestigious international scholarships for undergraduate, postgraduate, Foundation, and PhD students, including scholarships for research activities.
Notable Alumni:- Lord Jenkins – President of the European Commission, Chancellor of Oxford University, former UK Chancellor of the Exchequer
- John Pettigrew – CEO of National Grid plc
- Nathan Cleverly – Professional boxer, WBO World Champion