
#181

# 201-250
Cardiff University is a prestigious educational institution located in Wales, United Kingdom. Founded in 1883, it is particularly notable for its research-oriented approach to education, modern campuses, and opportunities for international students. Cardiff University is the only Welsh member of the Russell Group, a group of 24 leading research universities in the UK. Ranked between 201 and 250 in the Times Higher Education 2025 World University Rankings, it holds a respected position globally. The university offers a wide range of disciplines across 26 academic schools and hosts over 6.500 international students annually. Cardiff University stands out as an educational institution distinguished by its academic achievements, modern campuses, and the opportunities it provides for international students.


This institution, the highest-ranked university in Wales, is ranked 186th in the QS World University Rankings 2024. According to The Complete University Guide 2024, it is ranked 27th in the UK and first in Wales. Furthermore, it is ranked 29th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2024, receiving particularly high scores for student satisfaction and post-graduation career prospects.
Cardiff University has two main campuses: Cathays Park and Heath Park. The Cathays Park Campus is located just 800 meters from the city centre and houses 22 of the university's 26 academic schools. Distinguished by its historic and elegant architecture, this campus is equipped with modern laboratories, IT rooms, and classrooms. It offers students the Centre for Student Life, the Cardiff Students' Union, 24-hour libraries, and a convenient location in terms of transportation. The Heath Park Campus focuses on health sciences and is located in the same area as the University Hospital of Wales. This campus offers clinical experience opportunities and features advanced research facilities such as Cardiff Medicentre and CUBRIC. Cardiff University also offers a variety of accommodation options to suit different needs, including Talybont, North Campus, University Hall, and private student residences. The university is also known for its many successful alumni, such as Martin Lewis, Strive Masiyiwa, and Susanna Reid.



Cardiff University is renowned for its alumni who have achieved success in many fields. These include Martin Lewis OBE, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com and television presenter; Strive Masiyiwa, founder of Econet Global; and Dame Mary Perkins DBE and Doug Perkins, founders of Specsavers optical stores. Other notable alumni include British television presenter and journalist Susanna Reid, BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Emma Barnett, and Olympic silver medalist rower and biomedical science graduate Tom Barras.

Susanna Victoria Reid is a British television presenter and journalist. She co-presented BBC Breakfast with Bill Turnbull and Charlie Stayt from 2001 to 2014. She also presented Sunday Morning Live on BBC One from 2010 to 2011.

Dame Mary Lesley Perkins, DBE, is a British billionaire and co-founder of the British retail optometry chain Specsavers.

Strive Masiyiwa is a London-based Zimbabwean billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder and chairman of the international technology groups Econet Global and Cassava Technologies. Since 1996, Masiyiwa has provided scholarships to over 250.000 African youth through his family foundation.
In the UK, undergraduate programs last 3 years, while postgraduate programs last 1 year. Students on student visas are allowed to work 20 hours per week.
Turkish High School Diploma. If available, International Baccalaureate (IB) or A-Level Diploma (if not, please contact EDUKAS consultants).
English Proficiency Certificate (Required: A sufficient score on internationally recognized IELTS UKVI or TOEFL exams) – Minimum IELTS 6.0 for undergraduate studies; minimum IELTS 6.5 for postgraduate studies.
You will not need a passport during the application process, but you must have a valid passport for at least 6 months prior to the start of the visa process.
Transcript (Transcripts must be in English; the EDUKAS team offers a free translation service)
The document should contain answers to the questions that EDUKAS consultants will ask you and should be prepared in a sample format.
The letter of intent should answer the questions posed by EDUKAS consultants and should be prepared according to the sample format. A letter of reference, a document from your professors or employer regarding your academic or professional background, is required during the application process.
Cardiff University Foundation Programs (Preparatory Programs), undergraduate education These programs are offered to support academic, language and skills development beforehand. They are particularly suitable for international students, especially those who cannot directly enter the UK education system.
Cardiff University Foundation Programs | 2024/2025 |
|---|---|
Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance |
Prices start from £22,250, depending on the duration of your participation. |
Engineering and Physical Sciences |
Prices start from £23,250, depending on the duration of your participation. |
Health, Medical and Life Sciences |
Prices start from £23,900, depending on the duration of your participation. |
Social Sciences and Humanities |
Prices start from £21,250, depending on the duration of your participation. |
Computer Science and Mathematics |
Prices start from £19,900, depending on the duration of your participation. |
The program lasts a total of 6 semesters, 2 semesters per year. Undergraduate programs begin in September.
The Cardiff University Pre-Masters programme is an academic preparation programme specifically designed for international students who have completed their undergraduate studies and wish to pursue postgraduate studies in the UK. The programme aims to improve students' academic English proficiency, as well as to develop critical thinking, research methods and field-specific skills. Offered in a variety of fields such as business, law, social sciences, engineering and health sciences, the Pre-Masters programme provides students with a solid foundation for transitioning to postgraduate programmes at Cardiff University. Typically lasting one or two semesters, this programme is run by the university's International Study Centre (ISC) and, upon successful completion, grants students the right to progress to their target postgraduate programmes. With modern campus facilities close to Cardiff city centre and supportive academic counseling services, it is an ideal starting point for international students.
Cardiff University Pre-Masters | 2024/2025 |
|---|---|
Business, Economics, Social Sciences, and Humanities |
Prices start from £20,250, depending on the duration of your participation. |
Science and Computing |
Prices start from £22,250, depending on the duration of your participation. |
The program lasts one academic year and consists of two semesters. Master's programs begin in September.
Cardiff University Pre-Sessional English Courses are short-term preparatory courses focusing on academic English, designed for non-native English speakers who will be studying for undergraduate or postgraduate degrees at Cardiff University. These courses aim to improve language skills to prepare students for academic success, equipping them with abilities such as critical reading, writing, presentation skills, and effective participation in seminars.
Pre-Sessional Courses | Starting date | 2023/2024 |
|---|---|---|
Pre-Sessional English - 10 weeks |
July 2025 |
£3,950 |
Pre-Sessional English - 8 weeks |
July 2025 |
£3,300 |
Pre-Sessional English - 6 weeks |
July 2025 |
£2,600 |

Cardiff University Scholarships | Starting date | Application deadline | Type of Education | Scholarship Amount | Not |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship 2026 |
January 2026 |
April 3 2026 |
License |
£10.000 |
This scholarship, which will be awarded to 9 people, is valid for the first year only. Applicants must apply after receiving acceptance from Cardiff University. You must be an international student, self-funded, and accepted to a suitable undergraduate program starting in Fall 2026. |
Vice Chancellors Undergraduate International Scholarship 2026 |
January 2026 |
June 30, 2026 |
License |
£5,000 |
The scholarship is valid for the first year only. International students will be automatically considered for the scholarship once they confirm their acceptance offer for specific undergraduate programs. |
The Red Dragon Scholarship |
January 2026 |
March 31, 2026 - May 15, 2026 - June 30, 2026 |
Postgraduate Taught/Master |
£10,000 |
You must be an international student. You must be accepted into the master's program in September 2026. |
Business School Postgraduate Scholarship |
January 2026 |
- |
Postgraduate Taught/Master |
£10,000 |
To be considered an international student, you must be enrolled in a master's program starting in September 2026. You must be self-financing your education. The scholarship will be automatically provided by the university. |
For detailed information on application requirements and scholarships, you can get support from EDUKAS consultants.
As a student planning to study at Cardiff University, planning your living expenses in advance is crucial. Cardiff offers more affordable living costs compared to other major cities in the UK. Below you will find a detailed breakdown of the average monthly expenses a student might face in Cardiff as of 2025. Taking all these expenses into account, the monthly cost of living for a student in Cardiff generally ranges from £800 to £1,200. This amount can increase or decrease depending on your accommodation choices, lifestyle, and spending habits.



Expenditure Type | Average Amount (£) | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|
Accommodation |
£ 500 - £ 1,000 |
University dormitories, private dormitories, or rented apartments. |
Grocery Shopping |
£ 150 - £ 250 |
Shopping for basic groceries for home cooking. |
Eating Out |
£ 50 - £ 100 |
Eating out a few times a month (fast food/cafe/restaurant) |
Transportation (Bus/Public Transport) |
£ 50 - £ 60 |
Monthly bus pass, student discount available. |
Bills (Electricity, Water, Gas, Internet) |
£ 100 - £ 150 |
This applies to those living in rented accommodation. |
Telephone & Internet |
£ 60 - £ 80 |
Mobile plan and internet connection |
Laundry & Cleaning |
£ 20 - £ 40 |
Cleaning products and laundry expenses |
Books & Stationery |
£ 30 - £ 50 |
educational materials |
Social Life & Entertainment |
£ 100 - £ 200 |
Activities such as going to the cinema, the gym, and going out. |
Total |
£ 1,060 - £ 1,930 |
It varies depending on lifestyle, type of accommodation, and spending habits. |
For students planning to study at Cardiff University, accommodation options are quite diverse. University halls of residence are generally offered with bills included, making them advantageous for budget planning. Renting a private apartment can be more expensive; however, this option offers students more independence and personal space. To help balance living expenses, various part-time job opportunities are available for students, allowing them to earn extra monthly income. Overall, Cardiff stands out as an economical choice for students as it offers more affordable living costs compared to other major cities in the UK.

To study in the United Kingdom, you need to apply for a Student Visa. EDUKAS is here to support you throughout the entire application process.
Universities send acceptance letters called CAS (Course of Availability) to students for use in the visa application process. You can request your CAS letter from the school through your EDUKAS consultant.
The school and accommodation fees must be deposited in your current account or your sponsor's current account at your bank for 28 consecutive days prior to your visa interview appointment. (Accommodation costs in London are £12,006, and outside London £9,207, as determined by the visa department.) You can find out the exact amount from your consultant when it's time for the visa process.
You will need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months.
If your mother or father will be financially sponsoring you for your education, you can easily obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate through the e-government system to prove their relationship.
The most up-to-date versions of these documents, as stated in your CAS document, are uploaded electronically during the visa application process.
Students under the age of 18 who are about to begin their education in England can obtain this document, confirming their parental permission, with the assistance of a notary.
If the student's education and living expenses are covered by the parents, a petition proving this must be provided, or if the student receives a scholarship from an institution (such as YLSY), a document from the institution proving this must be obtained.
The translation of required documents and completion of forms for the visa application will be done with the assistance of your EDUKAS consultant.
Your advisor will inform you if any additional documents are required for your visa application.
The length of your stay depends on the length of your study program.
– If your program lasts 6 months or less, about 1 week.
– If your program lasts longer than 6 months, up to 1 month.
You can enter the United Kingdom in advance.
You will also need to pay a "Healthcare Fee" as part of your visa application. The amount you will pay depends on the duration of your visa.
– The UK government allows international students studying on a student visa to work. You can work while studying.
– You are entitled to work part-time for 20 hours per week during your undergraduate or postgraduate studies, and full-time during holidays.
