Cardiff University
Ranking
28Established in
1883Famous For
Business, Computer Science, Physiotherapy
Fees
£18,700 - £23,950
- Overview
- Services
- Rankings
- Accommodation
- Location
- Courses
- Scholarships
Overview
Cardiff University is recognised in independent government assessments as one of Britain's leading teaching and research universities. The university combines impressive modern facilities and an exciting approach to teaching with its proud history of recent achievements, and over 32,000 students, including nearly 6,400 international students, are currently enrolled at the Welsh institution.
Cardiff University's research and research-led teaching expertise involves social sciences, engineering, technology and a wide range of business professions. The University is currently ranked 5th in the UK for its quality of research, while the QS World Rankings 2026 place it 181st. The School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies has been described as the ‘Oxbridge of Journalism.’
Cardiff University is a member of the prestigious Russell Group, a collective of 24 leading research‑intensive universities in the UK. 89% of graduates progress into employment or further study within 18 months, and 83% of international graduates move into highly skilled roles in the same period.
Cardiff University Scholarships
Cardiff University offers scholarships worth up to £10,000. Awards vary by scholarship - some are automatically issued to eligible students, while others require additional application. The full list of scholarships, along with their conditions, can be found online.
Services
The international office is dedicated to supporting international students throughout their journey at Cardiff University. They are available to assist by answering questions and addressing concerns before, during, and after the application process.
Cardiff University offers a comprehensive induction and orientation programme to help new students feel at home and settle into university life. This includes practical advice and information, Fresher’s Week student society fairs, campus and city tours, and social events to help students make friends. Trips such as the tour of South Wales are a fantastic way for students to meet new people in a relaxed atmosphere. A number of international societies also exist at Cardiff, with organisations for Asian, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Nigerian, Pakistani, and Thai students.
The university also provides a free coach collection service for international students arriving in the UK. Staff from the international office welcome new students at Heathrow Airport, greeting them and transporting them and their luggage safely to their accommodation in Cardiff.
Once at Cardiff University, there is a dedicated international student support service that looks after the welfare of international students and provides guidance and information on a wide range of non-academic matters. Whether students are looking for financial advice, visa and immigration guidance, specialised career support for international students, help with health and wellbeing, information about careers and global opportunities, disability support, mentoring and study skills sessions, residence support, or assistance with settling into university, support teams will be on hand to help.
All Cardiff University students benefit from an assigned personal tutor throughout their studies to help with academic matters, and a student mentor can help students settle into student life. Prospective students interested in knowing what it is really like to live and study in Cardiff can chat online with current Cardiff University students, who are ready to answer any questions potential applicants may have.
Rankings
Cardiff University holds a prominent place in UK higher education, ranking in the top 30 universities in the UK in the Times University Guide 2026. On the global stage, Cardiff University regularly ranks within the top 200 universities in the world (QS 2026).
Additionally, highlighting the university’s teaching capabilities across different subjects, the Guardian Ranking 2025 shows Cardiff University ranking fourth for Electronic and Electrical Engineering, fifth for Architecture, and eighth for Physics.
- 28th in the Times University Guide 2026
- 37th in the Guardian University Guide 2026
- 22nd in the Complete University Guide 2026
- 181st in QS World University Rankings 2026
- 201st–250th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025
90% of Cardiff's research has been confirmed as world-leading or internationally excellent by the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021.
Accommodation
A place in one of the university’s 5,100 student rooms is guaranteed to all first-year international undergraduate students entering through the normal admissions cycle. The vast majority of student residences are single en-suite study bedrooms in self-catered flats and students.
For those interested in sports, the main accommodation site at Talybont features a state-of-the-art sports training village and fitness complex, which played host to competitors at the London 2012 Olympics.
Location
Cardiff is both a campus and city university offering students a dynamic urban environment with easy access to beautiful parks, historic landmarks, and the scenic Welsh coast. Cardiff University campus is located about 2km from the central train and bus station, with Cardiff airport just 17km away, and London 2 hours away by train.
Cardiff is among the fastest-growing capitals in Europe and is popular with students who are drawn to its inexpensive cost of living, nightlife, sporting facilities and culture.
Courses offered at Cardiff University
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