Is there the option to study abroad at this uni?
Great atmosphere all round the university. Very welcoming clubs and societies makes it easy to integrate with other students and make friends. Engaging lecturers make the courses interesting.
Cardiff University dates back to 1883 and now has a diverse student population coming from more than 100 countries. It’s a Russell Group university that often receives good rankings in uni league tables.
The city of Cardiff is located on the south coast of Wales and is the country’s capital city. The university is well positioned in the heart of the city, giving students good access to everything on offer.
As a capital city, there’s plenty to do. Lots of pubs, bars and clubs contribute to an exciting, lively and student-friendly nightlife. You’ll also find comedy clubs, music venues and theatres, ensuring there are plenty of cultural things to do in the city. With most things within walking distance, it’s also an easy place to get around.
Cardiff is accessible from other parts of the UK and abroad. The high-speed train service means London can be reached in around two hours and Bristol is also close by. An international airport means frequent and affordable access to UK and European cities on budget airlines.
Sport is a massive part of Cardiff’s identity and you’ll find plenty of live sport to watch, including at one of the UK’s largest stadiums, the Principality Stadium (formerly the Millennium Stadium).
There are more than 300 undergraduate courses on offer at Cardiff University, covering a range of subject areas. The majority of degree programmes are available on a full-time basis only, however, some can be studied part-time. To study part-time, you’ll need to contact the university directly. Some of the degrees that can be studied part-time include English Language BA, English Literature BA, Philosophy BA and Welsh BA.
Typically, undergraduate degrees at Cardiff take three or four years to study, but a number of courses include placement years, study abroad options or an integrated master’s year. These courses usually take four or five years to complete. Medical courses usually take five years to study and some courses, like architecture, take longer.
Most degrees include optional modules, as well as core modules, meaning you can study the degree topics you’re most interested in.
It's also possible to combine two or three subjects within an undergraduate degree in what’s called a combined honours degree. For example, it’s fairly common to study a humanities course, like history, alongside a language, such as French or Spanish.
You can apply to the University of Cardiff using a wide variety of qualifications, including A-levels, the Welsh Baccalaureate and Cambridge Pre-Us.
Each degree programme has specific academic criteria that need to be met but the uni also takes into account other things, like your personal statement and references.
You can find each degree’s specific grade requirements on the uni’s online undergraduate course search pages, however, we’ve given you an idea here of the range of grades needed to study certain subjects.
For instance, to study a degree in business, accounting or finance, you’ll likely be asked for A-level grades ranging from AAB–ABB (or equivalent qualification). For a degree in the hard sciences, you’ll need AAA–ABB (or equivalent qualification), and for a degree in the humanities you’ll probably need grades ranging from AAA–BBC (or equivalent qualification).
It should be noted that entry requirements can change so you should always confirm these with the university before applying.
There’s a variety of uni halls and houses available to choose from at Cardiff, suitable for a range of budgets and preferences.
Cardiff’s accommodation guarantee ensures that new undergraduate students that begin their course in September will be able to get a place in a single-room uni residence.
You have the chance to choose between self-catered and part-catered options, depending on what your meal-time preferences are, as well as having the choice between en suite and shared bathroom residences.
Should you have more specific requirements, there are also university accommodation options that are tailored towards a quiet living environment, as well as alcohol-free halls. You’ll also find some flats in specific halls that are reserved for LGBT+ students and/or allies.
If you are going to uni as part of a couple, or with a family, there’s accommodation to cater for this. Couples can stay in a one-bed studio or flat and families can select two- or three-bedroom residences.
Most accommodation options are within walking distance of the city and main campus areas, and bus services run frequently.
What's it like to study at this institution? Current students and alumni share their opinion...
VIEW 3605 REVIEWS WRITE A REVIEWAT Antonia Theodora Reviewed 10 Mar 25 Law with Politics LLB (Hons) Cardiff University provides a safe space for students, cultivates an environment where young minds can expand their... READ FULL REVIEW
M Mali Reviewed 07 Mar 25 Architectural Engineering MEng (Hons) School of Engineering facilities are in need of refreshing in general, but are adequate. The SU is everything! It... READ FULL REVIEW
The Cardiff University Students' Union offers a huge range of activities, events and support for students. With over 200 societies to join, there's really something for everyone, and you can even resurrect an old society or start your own if there's something you're interested in that doesn't have an active society.
If you're into sports, then you might want to join one of the sports clubs on offer - and there are over 60 to choose from! Whether you want to play casually against other teams at the uni or whether you want to travel the country representing Cardiff University and playing other top student athletes, you'll have the chance to get involved.
As well as socieities and sports clubs, the Union also offers regular events including live music and club nights.
On top of all the social activities you can get involved in through the Students' Union, you'll also be able to seek advice and guidance from the Union officers. The Union offers support on a wide range of issues that can crop up in student's academic lives, and also acts on behalf of students. The Union works closely with the university itself to ensure that students are able to provide feedback and have their voices heard on issues that are important to them.
Located in the capital of Wales, students of the university have plenty of opportunity to explore the local culture. Cardiff is known for its friendly, approachable locals, so students will feel right at home from day one.
Around the city, you'll find lots of history to explore, as well as lots of culture including touring West End shows, comedy and live music. If sporting is more your thing, then the city is well-equipped, boasting an Olympic-standard white water centre, ice rink, climbing facilities and countless sports clubs. Whether it's playing or spectating, you'll find something to get stuck into.
If you fancy a night out with your new friends, you'll find plenty of places to eat and drink in the city, from Indian street food to cozy Italian restaurants to cafes serving up Welsh cakes. And on the drinks front, there's a huge range of pubs, bars and clubs to have a chilled catchup over a pint, or to dance the night away to some live music. Cardiff has Purple Fag status, which recognises the city for its diverse, safe and welcoming nightlife scene.
Cardiff University has a dedicated careers service that you can use during your time at the uni and once you’ve finished your degree. It’s an effective service, as the uni was ranked in 16th place in the Complete University Guide’s 2024 rankings for graduate prospects.
You’ll be able to get advice and support from the team of specialist careers professionals to help you with numerous areas that could improve your employability and job prospects.
For example, you can book one-to-one appointments with a careers adviser, either online or in person, to discuss job ideas, industry sectors, interview technique and much more. As a student at Cardiff, you’ll also have access to workshops to help you become more employable. These are on a variety of topics, like job hunting, choosing a career, preparing for interviews and writing job applications.
The uni also has strong links with over 100 multinational, SME and local employers, meaning you’ll have access to a great variety of placements, internships and other work opportunities.
A dedicated online library of hundreds of resources, tools and interactive activities is also available for you to use.
The University of Cardiff makes additional funding available for students who meet certain criteria, in the form of scholarships and bursaries. Scholarships and bursaries can be put towards living costs and student fees and don’t need to be paid back.
The uni offers several scholarships for particular courses and for students who achieve exceptional exam results or excel in an extra-curricular activity, such as music. For example, the Cardiff University Scholarship is worth £3,000 for eligible students who achieve a minimum of AAA at A-level (or equivalent qualification).
Additionally, the school of music offers numerous scholarships, such as the Morfydd Owen Instrumental and David Lloyd Vocal scholarships which are worth £400 for students who meet the criteria.
Among the bursaries on offer are the Armed Forces Bursary, that’s worth £1,000 for full-time students who’ve served in the armed forces, and the Estranged Student Bursary, which is for young students who are completely estranged from their families at the beginning of their course.
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.
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As well as a wide range of courses, studying at Cardiff University offers you loads of opportunities to boost your CV thanks to the careers department. You might even have the chance to do a work placement or sandwich year during your degree.
As well as providing you with opportunities to develop academically and professionally, you'll have a wide range of clubs and societies to join. You'll be able to pick up a new hobby and make loads of new friends by joining some of the clubs and societies on offer at Cardiff University.
Many courses at Cardiff University offer an opportunity to do a work placement or sandwich year. These opportunities will help you develop your employability skills, and the careers department is also on hand to offer personal support.
As well as a wide range of courses on offer, Cardiff University also has loads of clubs and societies you can join during your studies. Joining societies is just one of the many ways you can tailor your experience at Cardiff University to suit you.
You'll be shocked by the number of clubs and societies on offer at Cardiff University. There's something for everyone! As well as being able to pick different clubs and societies, most courses let you choose modules at different points through your degree.
As well as personalising your course through optional modules, you may have the chance to do a work placement during your studies. Developing your professional skills through work placements is a great way to add to your CV and boost your employability.
The world is your oyster! Of course, the exact options open to you will depend on which subject you choose to study. Employers often look to hire graduates, so you can be sure that your degree will give you a wider range of employment opportunities.
No matter what degree you choose, however, you'll have option of going on to further study. If you want to keep studying, your undergraduate degree will enable you to go on to a master's degree or even a PhD.
With a degree in a subject you love, you'll find more doors opening to jobs you'll love. Studies have also shown that graduates earn more on average compared to non-graduates.
If you want to continue to pursue education, you'll be able to progress to postgraduate study once you've got your undergraduate degree. You could opt to study a master's, or even get a PhD.
If you want a job you love (and who doesn't?), getting a job in a field you're passionate about is a great place to start. By studying a subject you really enjoy, you'll be qualified for a range of jobs relating to that subject, which you'll hopefully love.
For those who aren't ready to give up on education after an undergraduate degree, you'll have the opportunity to progress to postgraduate study such as a master's or even a PhD.
If you opt to live in uni halls, you'll benefit from free WiFi and all-inclusive rent. Rent for uni halls also includes security and maintenance, so you can be sure you'll be well-looked after. There are several accessible rooms available, which are adapted for disabled students.
Halls also have communal areas such as kitchen facilities where you can meet your flatmates over a cup of tea. You'll also have access to dining facilities where you can share a meal with other students in your accommodation.
Living in uni halls means you'll have access to communal areas including kitchen and dining facilities. These facilities offer you plenty of opportunity to socialise with the students you're living with.
You'll also find all bills are included in your rent, and yes, that includes WiFi. Rent also covers security and maintenance. There are accessible rooms available in halls that have been adapted for disabled students.
Cardiff University's accommodation is designed to be as straightforward and stress-free as possible. All your bills are included in your rent, you'll have free WiFi and your rent also includes security and maintenance.
You'll have access to communal areas like kitchen and dining facilities, where you can socialise with other students you're living with. Disabled students will find several rooms adapted in accessible halls to suit a range of access requirements.
