If you join Cardiff University, you'll become part of a vibrant community dedicated to tackling global challenges head-on. As the only Russell Group uni in Wales, founded in 1883, it boasts a strong reputation for high employability and impressive rankings in university league tables. Well-known alumni include Martin Lewis (founder of Money Saving Expert), Elis James (comedian), and Dame Mary Perkins of Specsavers.
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4.4The city of Cardiff is on the south coast of Wales and is the country's capital city. Cardiff University has two campuses in the city – Cathays and Heath Park.
Cathays is the main site, with a mix of historic and modern buildings in tree-lined avenues within half a mile of the city centre and close to student residences. You'll find most of the uni's academic schools here, as well as several libraries. At the heart of Cathay's campus, the brand-new Centre for Student Life (CSL) houses the uni's support services and has areas where students can study or socialise. Right next door is the award-winning Students' Union, with its own nightclub (Y Plas), live music venue, post office, and shops.
Heath Park campus will be your base if you're taking a degree in Dentistry, Medicine or a healthcare-related field. Based a mile north of the city centre, next to open spaces, it shares a site with the University Hospital of Wales, which is one of the largest hospitals in the UK. Course facilities include labs and operating theatres, a library, and study areas that are accessible 24/7. Students can also make use of sports facilities, including a swimming pool and fitness suite. Cathays campus is easily accessible, just a 10-minute journey away by public transport.
As Cardiff is a small city, it's easy to get between the campuses and student residences. Find out more about life on campus and in the city in our Student Life section.
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4.0Cardiff University has a wide range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and requirements. Most rooms have en-suite bathrooms and internet access. You can choose from self-catered and part-catered options, with tailored residences for quiet living, LGBT+ students, and families. New undergraduate students starting in September are guaranteed a single-room residence, provided they apply by the deadline.
Cardiff provides 5,500 student rooms, spread across 16 residences. All are within walking or cycling distance of the main campuses, city centre, Students' Union, and university buildings. University Hall is one of the largest student residences. During the week, an hourly free bus service connects University Hall, Cathays, and Heath Park campuses and is available to all students.
Costs are from £138 to £179 each week on average, with contracts between 39 and 44 weeks depending on the halls. If you choose a part-catered option, your fees will include a hot meal on weekdays in one of the uni's restaurants (other than during vacations or on bank holidays). Meals are usually served between 1.00pm and 6.30pm.
Life in university halls is safe and sociable. There's 24/7 security, and events will help you settle in. The uni's Residence Life team also helps you adapt to university life, showing you where to find support when needed.
The best way to get a feel for a university is to go to an open day or check out Cardiff on Whatuni's City Guides.
Cardiff University offers scholarships and bursaries if you meet the criteria. You can use these funds towards your living costs or course expenses, and you won't need to pay the money back.
If you're from a family with a low income (below £35,000 each year), you may be eligible for the Cardiff University Bursary. Another bursary supports care leavers, estranged students, young carers, or students with military experience.
If you are studying an engineering degree, you may be eligible for a scholarship. Scholarships are also available if you study Welsh at the uni or study another degree through the medium of Welsh.
You can find out more information about the scholarships and bursaries on offer, as well as their eligibility criteria, on Cardiff University's online funding pages.
Cardiff University has hundreds of undergraduate courses to choose from across a wide range of subjects. In the Complete University Guide rankings, Cardiff is in the top 25 UK universities and has standout ratings in around 15 subject areas. It's regularly in the UK top five for Pharmacology and Pharmacy and for Optometry, Ophthalmics and Orthoptics.
A standard undergraduate degree will take three years to complete, but many degrees at Cardiff include opportunities to gain industry experience or study abroad. It'll take you four years to finish one of these degrees, but you'll have boosted your CV with real-world experience along the way. Some of the science and engineering degrees include an integrated master's, taking four or five years to complete.
Depending on your degree programme, you may be able to choose from optional modules to explore the degree topics you're most interested in. You may also be able to combine two subjects in a Joint Honours degree. For instance, History can be combined with a language, English Literature, or Archaeology. Most Joint Honours degrees are within the humanities and social sciences.
Research at Cardiff University is relevant to real-world issues, working together across disciplines. New ideas from the uni's research on society, sustainability, global security, and space will enrich your learning as you explore your subject area. The university encourages open-minded thinkers, aiming to spark your curiosity and help you succeed. Libraries, labs, and simulation suites will all help you develop skills.
Cardiff University teaches in semesters, with breaks for Christmas and Easter. Each semester ends with an exam period. Health-related programmes and postgraduate degrees are likely to have extended timetables. New students enrol a week before their first semester, with activities and events to help them settle in and find their feet.
Fees for UK-resident undergraduates (Home students) are currently £9,535. If you're an international student, you can find the course fees in our course listings.
Cardiff, the capital of Wales, offers students a unique blend of culture and entertainment. With a friendly welcome from locals, you'll feel at home from day one. And with most things within walking distance, it's easy to get around.
Explore the city's history, catch a West End show, comedy gig, or live music event. As the UK's first music city, Cardiff enjoys a lively music and club night scene. From intimate gigs to big stadium tours, you'll have plenty to choose from. Free galleries and museums let you enjoy culture without spending much. You can explore art and photography, learn about natural history, or dive into Welsh history.
When night falls, you can choose from a diverse range of eateries, pubs or clubs, all within walking distance. From Indian street food to cozy Italian restaurants to cafes serving up Welsh cakes, there's plenty of options for food with friends. Nightlife in the city is lively and fun; Cardiff has Purple Flag Status, showing that it offers a safe night out.
You can also get active at the Olympic-standard sports facilities: these include a white-water centre, ice rink, and climbing facilities. Or you can watch top teams at one of the UK's largest stadiums, the Principality Stadium. Famous for rugby, it has also hosted international football and motorsports – and concerts by top acts from Kendrick Lamar to Metallica.
The city is easily accessible by train, with direct trains to London taking around two hours. Bristol is also close by. Cardiff Airport has frequent and affordable flights to UK and international cities.
With its safe and welcoming atmosphere, Cardiff is the perfect place to make the most of your university experience.
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4.6Cardiff University Students' Union provides a fantastic variety of activities, events, and support tailored for students. With more than 200 societies available, there truly is something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, if you have a great idea for a society that isn't already up and running, you can easily start your own!
If you're into sports, then you might want to join one of the sports clubs on offer – there are over 70 to choose from! You could play against other teams at the uni or, if you excel at sport, travel the country representing Cardiff University and playing other top student athletes.
As well as societies and sports clubs, the SU also offers regular events, including live music, comedy and club nights.
On top of all the social activities you can get involved in through the Students' Union, it offers students independent advice and guidance. This includes support on academic issues that may crop up during your studies. The Union works together with the university to make sure it acts on feedback to improve the issues that matter most to students.
2.6Cardiff University helps you develop career skills and find your future path. Specialist advisers provide personal, subject-specific support in person and online. You can get advice on CVs, job searches, and interviews from the uni's careers service during your studies and for up to three years after you graduate.
Plus, you can tap into a global network of over 300 international partners for study, work, or volunteer opportunities.
Cardiff University has great graduate outcomes, especially in the subjects where it ranks highest in the Complete University Guide league tables.
The university has strong connections with multinationals, smaller businesses, and local employers. This means you'll be able to apply for a wide range of work placements, internships, and other job opportunities. Daily updates to the uni's jobs board give you direct access to over 4,000 registered employers.
You'll also have the chance to network with employers at regular workshops, events, and careers fairs. These events bring hundreds of organisations to the campus, all looking to recruit Cardiff's students.
As a student at Cardiff, you can attend helpful workshops that teach career skills for job hunting, interview preparation, and writing job applications. The university provides support for business start-ups, student competitions, and awards. These opportunities help you build your enterprise skills.
You can also develop key research skills and gain experience through research internships. Or you could choose to learn a language alongside your studies. Many of the university's degree programmes help you build career-specific skills and knowledge, and even give you experience in the sector before you graduate.
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