Home › Colleges › UK › Cardiff University
51%
Acceptance rate
~$23k
Tuition / yr
6.5
IELTS required
46%
Intl students
1883
Founded
#211
QS World rank
Russell Group prestige; strong engineering; vibrant capital city; excellent facilities. This guide covers Cardiff University's courses, fees, English & academic requirements, scholarships, the step-by-step admission process, student-visa and post-study-work rules, and tips to get in — everything in one place.
▶ Predict my admission chances (free)📚 Courses & programs at Cardiff University
Cardiff University is best known for Engineering, Business, Research, Russell Group. Popular programs for international students include:
- MSc Engineering
- MSc Business Management
- MSc Computer Science
Class profile: High-achieving postgraduates, research-focused, engineering strong.
✅ Entry requirements
| IELTS (Academic) | 6.5 |
| TOEFL iBT | 88 |
| PTE Academic | 62 |
| Duolingo English Test | 110 |
| GRE | Not required |
| GMAT (MBA) | Preferred for MBA programs |
| Min GPA / grade | 2:1 (Upper Second) |
| Work experience | Preferred for some programs |
💡
Below the English score? Don't pay to find out — take a free full-length IELTS mock (or PTE / TOEFL) and see your gap instantly. Full breakdown: IELTS score for Cardiff University.
💰 Fees & cost of studying
| Tuition (international) | ~£18k/yr |
| Application fee | £0 |
| Living costs (est.) | £12,000–15,000/yr (£13,347 for visa) |
| Scholarships | Cardiff International Excellence Scholarship (up to £13k/yr) |
Plan your budget for tuition + living + health insurance + the visa fee. Compare funding with the free scholarship finder.
📝 Step-by-step admission process
- Pick one-year master's programs
- Meet IELTS (6.5–7.5) & 2:1/First equivalent
- Write personal statement + 1–2 references
- Apply directly on university portal (rolling)
- Receive offer (conditional/unconditional)
- Pay deposit → CAS → Student visa
📄 Documents checklist
- Academic transcripts
- Personal Statement
- 1–2 References
- CV
- IELTS UKVI
- Passport
- Financial proof (CAS)
- Degree certificate
🛂 Student visa & post-study work · UK
- Student visa: Student visa (Tier 4)
- Work while studying: 20 hrs/week during term
- Post-study work: Graduate Route: 2 years (3 for PhD)
🎯 Tips & tricks to get admission
- Clear the requirements comfortably. Meet IELTS 6.5+ and the GPA cleanly, then differentiate with a focused SOP and 1–2 strong recommendation letters.
- Write a tailored SOP. Name the exact program and 1–2 professors/labs at Cardiff University and connect your background to them — generic essays are the #1 reason strong profiles get rejected.
- Hit the English score first. Cardiff University needs IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 88 / PTE 62. Take a free full-length mock to find your weakest section before you book the real test.
- Prepare finances early. Budget for tuition (~£18k/yr) plus living costs (£12,000–15,000/yr (£13,347 for visa)); visa officers want clear, stable proof of funds.
- Apply in the right intake. Cardiff University's main intakes are September & January — applying 4–6 months ahead keeps scholarships and on-campus housing open.
📅 Intakes & deadlines
| Intakes | September, January |
| Typical deadline | Rolling |
| Acceptance rate | 51% (moderately selective) |
All figures are indicative and change year to year — always confirm on the official site (cardiff.ac.uk) before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- What IELTS score do I need for Cardiff University?
- Cardiff University typically requires IELTS 6.5 (TOEFL 88, PTE 62). GRE: Not required.
- How much does Cardiff University cost?
- International tuition is approximately ~£18k/yr, plus living costs of £12,000–15,000/yr (£13,347 for visa). Application fee: £0.
- What is the acceptance rate at Cardiff University?
- Cardiff University has an indicative acceptance rate of about 51% (High-achieving postgraduates, research-focused, engineering strong).
- What are the intakes and deadlines at Cardiff University?
- Intakes: September, January. Typical deadline: Rolling.
- Is Cardiff University hard to get into?
- Cardiff University is moderately selective, with an indicative acceptance rate of about 51%. A complete application that clearly meets the requirements has a strong chance.
- Does Cardiff University require GRE or GMAT?
- GRE: Not required. GMAT (for MBA): Preferred for MBA programs. Always confirm the exact policy for your specific program on the official site.
- Can I work after studying at Cardiff University?
- Graduate Route: 2 years (3 for PhD) (UK). You can typically also work part-time while studying: 20 hrs/week during term.
- What documents do I need to apply to Cardiff University?
- Typically: Academic transcripts, Personal Statement, 1–2 References, CV, IELTS UKVI, Passport, Financial proof (CAS), Degree certificate. Check program-specific requirements before applying.