Cardiff University International Study Centre

Cardiff University is a respected Russell Group university, located in the UK's second most affordable student city (NatWest Student Living Index 2023). Its research is making an impact around the world, and leading academics share their findings with students in the classroom.

Join the community at Cardiff University International Study Centre. Our pathway programmes prepare you to succeed in your degree and enjoy student life in an exciting, multicultural capital city, only two hours away from London by train.

Cardiff University has been producing successful graduates since 1883, combining a prestigious heritage with modern and innovative facilities. It is known for its world-leading research, rewarding student experience and fantastic location.

Why choose Cardiff?

• World-leading: Cardiff University is ranked 154th in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
• Research excellence: 90% of Cardiff University's research has been confirmed as world-leading or internationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
• Student experience: Cardiff offers a wealth of opportunities for its students, both in and outside of the classroom.
• Graduate prospects: 97% of graduates are in employment or further study six months after graduation.

The education system:

Just like the rest of the United Kingdom, Wales offers three levels of education:

• Undergraduate/Bachelor's degree
• Postgraduate/Master's degree
• PhD/Doctorate

Undergraduate degrees are usually three years. Yours could be four years if you choose to take a valuable work placement, usually in year 3. Master's degrees are one or two years. Some degrees combine undergraduate and postgraduate study, which take four years to complete (e.g. MEng). PhDs require at least three years of study.

A proud Russell Group University:

Cardiff University is a founding member of the Russell Group, a set of leading UK universities dedicated to excellence. Cardiff is also the only Russell Group University in Wales. Here, you will have amazing experiences both in and outside of the classroom. The University's research-based teaching is delivered by experts and its Students' Union is multi award-winning. Cardiff University is ranked 25th in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.

Become an employable graduate:

In an increasingly competitive global job market, you will need to stand out from the crowd. The majority of degree programmes at Cardiff University give you the option of a professional placement year and/or internship — usually in your third year.

An exciting home city:

The University is based in the beautiful civic centre, in the heart of Cardiff. Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, one of the four countries that make up the United Kingdom. One of Europe’s youngest capital cities, it was crowned the capital of Wales in 1955, partly due to the excellent reputation of its university. 

Cardiff is a vibrant modern city with a multicultural history. It is a small city and almost everywhere can be reached on foot from the University. It is safe and friendly, with students making up 20% of the population. Cardiff is also affordable; it is the 2nd most affordable university city for monthly rental costs according to the NatWest Student Living Index 2023.

A warm Welsh welcome:

Cardiff is a city known for its diversity, inclusivity, and sense of fun. These values are also reflected in the University’s motto, “Truth, Unity and Concord”. It is a place where difference is celebrated and those from other countries and cultures are welcomed with open arms.

International Foundation Year:

• Academic:
• Good high school graduation grades or equivalent

• English language
• Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.0 (minimum 5.0 in writing with no other skill below 4.0).
• Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 (minimum 5.0 in all skills) is required for students aiming to progress to Optometry.
• Academic IELTS for UKVI 6.0 (minimum 6.0 in writing, no skill below 5.5) is required for students aiming to progress to Medicine*, Dental Surgery*, Pharmacy and Medical Pharmacology*, Journalism and Communications; Journalism, Communications and Politics; Media and Communications, or Media, Journalism and Culture.

• *Please note: IELTS is required to confirm an offer for these progression degrees.

• Additional entry requirements:
• Arts, Humanities, Law and Social Sciences:
• For Music: Applicants are required to show evidence of working towards Grade 8 Practical in one instrument or voice (ABRSM/Trinity/Rockschool) + Grade 5/6 Theory (ABRSM/Trinity). This will be assessed by means of a short audition or theory test when applying for the International Foundation Year. Equivalent qualifications may be accepted following consultation with Cardiff University.
• Engineering, Physical Sciences and Architecture: Maths or a numerate subject is required for all degree aims (except for Architecture).
• Health, Medical and Life Sciences:
• For Medicine and Dental Surgery, students must have Chemistry and two other Sciences (Maths is one science). 
• For all other degree aims, students need one science subject - biology or chemistry or a combined science.

Please note: Places may be limited for Pharmacy, Medicine and Dental Surgery.

Accelerated International Foundation:

• Academic:
• Good high school graduation grades

• English language
• Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 (5.0 in all skills) or equivalent

• Additional entry requirements:
• Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance: Maths is not required except for progression to Economics (L100), Economics with a Language (L160, L1R2, L1R4) and Economics & Finance (LN13). Other numerate subjects accepted: Economics, Statistics, Accounting, Algebra, Calculus, Finance
• Engineering, Physical Science and Computer Science: Students need Maths or numerate subject pass (Economics , Statistics, Accounting, Algebra, Calculus, Finance) and Physics.

International Year One:

• Academic:
• Good high school graduation grades plus up to one year of further study, or equivalent

• English language
• Engineering: Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 (minimum 5.0 in writing and no skill less than 5), or equivalent.
• All other routes: Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 (minimum 5.5 in writing and no skill less than 5), or equivalent

Pre-Master's programme:

• Academic:
• First degree or a diploma in a related subject area

• English language
• 2 semester programme: Academic IELTS for UKVI 5.5 (minimum 5.5 in all skills), or equivalent*

• Additional entry requirements:
• For Forensic Linguistics and Applied Linguistics: First degree or diploma in English Language or Linguistics
• For Education, Social and Public Policy and Social Science: First degree or diploma in relevant subject area
• For Journalism related degrees: First degree or diploma in related arts, humanities or social science disciplines
• For Computing / Computing and IT Management degrees: First degree or diploma in any discipline (can include Computing)
• For Software Engineering: First degree or diploma in either a STEM subject with evidence of programming OR a non-STEM subject with evidence of suitable professional programming experience 
• Please note that places may be limited on some degrees.

* You do not need a UKVI-approved Secure English Test to start the programme.

Additionally, for all of the admission requirements, there are country-specific requirements as well, kindly contact our admissions counsellor for more information!