Cardiff University

Cardiff University is an international university with worldwide collaborations and international students from over 100 different countries. Founded in 1883, Cardiff University combines impressive modern facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and research. Through this blend of established tradition and cutting-edge innovation, Cardiff University offers a stimulating environment for study and research. Cardiff University is ranked 5^th in the UK for Research Excellence and is ranked in the UK’s top 35 in the Complete University Guide 2017. The QS World University Rankings 2016/17 places the University 140th in the world.

Students and staff are drawn to Cardiff University from across the world, attracted by its international reputation and commitment to excellence. The University is a member of the Russell Group, consisting of Britain's top 24 leading research universities. The University's expertise in research and research-led teaching encompasses: the humanities; the natural, physical, health, life and social sciences; engineering and technology; preparation for a wide range of professions; and a longstanding commitment to lifelong learning.

The University’s global community, reputation and partnerships are at the heart of its identity. Over 20% of the student population consists of international students. Cardiff University is keen to develop this international community and offers international scholarships, worth over £2M at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Driven by creativity and curiosity, Cardiff University strives to fulfil its social, cultural and economic obligations to Cardiff, Wales, and the world.

Accommodation

Cardiff offers students a range of residences to suit individual preferences and budgets. International postgraduates (arriving in September) are guaranteed a place for their first year, and international undergraduates are guaranteed university accommodation for the full duration of their course. Visit the website to view residential options.

Lively, elegant, confident, safe, compact, affordable and cosmopolitan, Cardiff caters to all tastes, offering everything from the excitement of a vibrant city life to the peace and tranquility of the nearby coast and countryside. A city with both heritage and ambition, Cardiff has a distinctive character, a good quality of life and a growing national and international reputation.

It is presently host to numerous large scale, high-profile events, including the IAAF World Half Marathon and concerts from stars like Beyoncé and Coldplay. As the capital city of Wales, it is home to many of the UK’s national institutions including the National Museum of Wales and the commanding Principality Stadium. The city centre skyline is testimony to its heritage and ambition, with landmark buildings ranging from the ornate Civic Centre to the historic Cardiff Castle.

The waterfront area at Cardiff Bay is home to the Welsh Assembly and the Wales Millennium Centre arts complex. There are regular food, arts and craft festivals and visitors can walk across the barrage or take a boat trip around the bay.

A Friendly City

The city of Cardiff offers an excellent location for students to study in. Students benefit from the combination of a small, friendly, inexpensive city with the cultural and recreational amenities of an ambitious and progressive capital city.

With a population of 350,000, Cardiff does not suffer from overcrowding. Students in Cardiff lead a busy life, both with their academic studies and the social and cultural activities that take place.

Convenient Location

Cardiff is an extremely accessible city, benefitting from excellent road, rail and air communications. Using the national rail train service, London is reachable within two hours. Cardiff has convenient connections to Bristol, Heathrow and Gatwick airports and the city also benefits from its own international airport. The city is served directly by the M4 motorway, serving as a fast link to the rest of the UK.

At Cardiff, students can choose from a variety of undergraduate courses, taught masters, PhDs, diplomas and certificates.

Types of Undergraduate Degrees

The three undergraduate degree types available for international students include:

Diplomas

Diploma courses generally last no longer than two years.

Bachelor Degrees

Bachelor degrees take between three to four years to complete, depending on whether students choose courses including a year abroad option or a year in industry. Bachelor degrees at Cardiff give students a thorough understanding of the courses and provide them with key skills to take into their professional career.

Undergraduate Masters Degrees

Undergraduate masters degrees usually last between four to five years, depending on whether students decide to sandwich their courses with the year abroad options or a year in industry. Masters degrees at Cardiff give students a greater in-depth knowledge of their subject areas.

Types of Masters Degrees

Postgraduate taught degrees are 12-month long degrees that consist of students being taught by lecturers and having to undertake independent research at the same time.

Postgraduate research degrees involve an in-depth study of a specified field, normally over a period of three to four years.

Cardiff University offers four types of research degrees:

• PhD
• Professional Doctorates (EdD, DClinPsych, EngDetc)
• Medical Doctorates (MD)
• Research Masters (MPhil, MRes)

Opportunities for supervised research are available in all schools. The types of research that students are engaged in will vary based on whether they choose to study lab-based science or within the humanities and social sciences.

Undergraduate Application

• After selecting their desired course, students must check that they make all the important application deadlines. International students must check the country specific requirements for their courses and ensure that they meet the specified entry requirements and admissions criteria.
• Students must apply to all full-time undergraduate courses through UCAS. Applications from overseas students (non EU) will be accepted through UCAS up until 30 June. However, it is recommended that they apply as early as possible.
• Students must ensure they produce all documents required to complete the application form, including education history, a personal statement and referee details.
• If students submit their application through UCAS early (after it opens on 1st September), then they should hear back from the University earlier. Universities and colleges have until early May to confirm student applications.
• Students receive unconditional offers if they meet all academic requirements when applying. Students may receive conditional offers if they only meet certain conditions such as the results of the English language tests. On receiving their offers, students have the option of firmly accepting their place at Cardiff or accepting it as their insurance option (in case a conditional offer was made).

Postgraduate Application

• After selecting their desired postgraduate course, students need to ensure they meet all entry requirements and apply by September.
• Students will need to provide exam results (copies of original certificates or transcripts and English translations), two reference letters (usually at least one from a recent lecturer or professor), personal statements, their research proposal (for research students who are not applying for listed projects), and English Language certificates (for international students whose first language is not English).
• Students must visit postgraduate funding pages for information on possible funding opportunities.  Students cannot normally apply for funding until they have acquired an offer to study at Cardiff.
• To accept an offer, students can go online and confirm their study through the application portal or by directly contacting the admissions team.

Cardiff is ranked 2^nd nationally for the impact of our research and is among the top 5 universities in the UK for research excellence. As a member of the Russell Group, Cardiff University is one of the top 24 research universities in the UK. This is reflected in the wide range of research interests that the University undertakes, from Integrative Biosystems to Language and Identity.

Research Institutes

Cardiff University houses nine research institutes, each specialising in research which contributes to a stronger, healthier and more sustainable world.

The Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute builds on Cardiff's place as an acknowledged world leader in neuroscientific genetics, specifically in brain imaging and Psychology.

The European Cancer Stem Cell Research Institute takes a pioneering approach to an emerging science, and draws on its clinical trial strength for both haematological and solid cancers.

The Cardiff Catalysis Institute is improving the understanding of catalysis, developing new catalytic processes with industry and promoting the use of catalysis as a sustainable 21st century technology.

The Crime and Security Research Institute conducts research that generates new evidence and insights to help reduce crime and increase security.

The Data Innovation Research Institute has been set up to conduct fundamental research into the aspects of managing, analysing and interpreting massive volumes of textual and numerical information.

The Energy Systems Research Institute tackles the global challenges that lie ahead in how we continue to generate, distribute and utilise energy.

The Sustainable Places Research Institute is a meeting place for sustainability science, focused on exploring innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.

The Systems Immunity Research Institute delivers a comprehensive systems-based approach to immunity research. It provides a holistic view of chronic disease progression, the control of infection and mechanisms that determine an effective immune response.

The Water Research Institute provides research-led solutions to the problem of the continual misuse and mismanagement of the world's precious water supplies.

There are a wide range of facilities available to international students at Cardiff University.

Libraries

There are 3,000 study spaces across 16 easily accessible libraries and 25 IT suites in addition to widespread Wi-Fi access. These subject-specific libraries are spread throughout both campuses, containing more than 1.3 million printed books and over 700,000 online books and journals.

Computing services

Students have access to computer rooms across both Cardiff University campuses and Wi-Fi access in many of its buildings and all residences. These computers also contain the latest versions of common software on all networked computers (or anywhere in the world via remote access). Lecture handouts, assignment submissions, library catalogues, journals, and other resources are all accessible online. Students can also make use of training courses and workshops that help improve their IT skills.

Sports

The sports facilities are located on four sites across both campuses and include a Sports Training Village, a Fitness and Squash Centre, a Strength and Conditioning Centre, sports fields, and an array of clubs. These facilities allow students to train for specific sports or maintain their fitness during their studies. Sports clubs at Cardiff include traditional sports like netball, and badminton, while also including international sports like American football, taekwondo, caving, ultimate Frisbee, and many more.

Doctoral Academy

Cardiff University is proud to offer additional support to its PhD research students through the Doctoral Academy. This resource provided students with comprehensive access to research development workshops, regular cross-School activities to enable networking, and student-led conferences/research showcases. In 2015/16, 380 workshops took place, and £10,000 was awarded to researcher-led activities.

Dedicated Student Services

Student Support Centres are available to all students at Cardiff University. Students can access facilities that support their studies, such as International Student Support, Disability and Dyslexia support, and the Advice and Money team. Students can also access university-based health centres including a General Practice surgery and a Counselling, Health and Wellbeing service. Furthermore, students are freely able to practice their faith through the inter-faith University Chaplaincy.

Cardiff benefits greatly from a diverse and vibrant population of more than 7,000 international students from around the globe.

Student Union

Cardiff University’s Students’ Union is the biggest and best equipped in Wales. It is rated 5^th in the UK, according to the National Student Survey 2016. The Students’ Union is run by students for students; it offers a variety of entertainment options, diverse clubs and societies and a comprehensive range of welfare, advice and information services, supporting all aspects of student life within a purpose-built complex.

International Students’ Association

The International Students’ Association (ISA) gets more international students involved in the Union, through events, committees, a student council, societies, sports, media, volunteering, or campaigns.

Student Media

Students who have an interest in the media can opt to write for the student newspaper, GairRhydd, or for the student lifestyle magazine, Quench. Cardiff University students can even try out for the students’ own radio and TV stations - Xpress Radio and CUTV.

Venues

Some venues that Cardiff offers as entertainment options are as listed below.

• The Great Hall, a 1,600-capacity concert venue for major concerts, ensures Cardiff’s position as a prime venue on the national tour circuit.
• The Students’ Union operates its own high quality nightclub with a capacity for 2,000 people, which also acts as a venue for comedy nights or smaller events.
• The Taf, which is a proper old-fashioned pub is within the Students' Union building. It's the perfect place for students to meet friends for a relaxed lunch or night out.
• The Lounge is a recently opened non-alcoholic social space built especially for international students. With modern facilities such as Skype booths and touch-screen games, it is a versatile and friendly space for students to work or socialise in.

Societies for international students

Many cultural, political, religious, social and sporting interests are catered for and there are a number of societies specifically for international students. Student Societies are very important to student life and there are more than 200 societies, many of which represent various areas of the world. Students will find that these clubs are the best way to make friends.

Visit the Cardiff University website for more information about student life at Cardiff.