Cardiff University Review: A Comprehensive Guide
Cardiff University is one of the leading universities in the UK, known for its research strengths, central location, and diverse student community. Located in the capital of Wales, it attracts students from across the UK and around the world. This review breaks down what to expect, academics, student life, cost of living, and career prospects.
Cardiff University Summary
- City: Cardiff
-
Graduate Employment Rate：
95% within 15 months of graduation.
Table of Contents
Overview of Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a member of the Russell Group, a network of 24 leading UK universities known for strong research and teaching. Founded in 1883, it offers over 300 undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes across three colleges: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; and Physical Sciences and Engineering.
The university is located in the heart of Cardiff, giving students easy access to shops, restaurants, cultural venues, and public transport. Most academic buildings and student halls are within walking distance, which adds to the convenience.
It ranks consistently well in UK league tables and has particular strengths in subjects like Journalism, Engineering, Architecture, Psychology, and Medicine. It also has strong links with industry, government, and the NHS, which helps with placements and job opportunities.
Cardiff has around 32,000 students, including a large number of international students. The campus offers a mix of modern and historic buildings, specialist facilities, and a Students’ Union that regularly ranks among the best in the UK.
Cardiff University Rankings 2026
UK Ranking (Complete University Guide 2026): 22nd
World Ranking (QS World University Ranking 2026): 181st
Cardiff University Courses and Programmes
Cardiff’s Law (LLB) degree is a three-year, full-time course. The programme covers core legal subjects required for progression to the Bar or solicitor training, while offering a wide range of optional modules to suit different interests.
The university is well known for its strength in socio-legal studies and offers unique opportunities to apply legal knowledge in practice. These include award-winning pro bono schemes, paralegal placements, and the student-led Innocence Project. They are the only one in the UK to have overturned two wrongful convictions at the Court of Appeal.
Students work on real cases, providing free legal help in partnership with charities, law firms, and advice centres. This gives practical experience in areas such as legal research, client care, case writing, and public speaking.
The course is rooted in current issues, from human rights and AI regulation to family law and financial crime. It also offers Welsh-medium teaching across all core modules for students who prefer to study in Welsh.
Cardiff’s close links with Welsh Government, local firms, courts, and public bodies create further opportunities for networking, placements, and policy insight.
Cardiff’s BSc in Computer Science is a three-year, full-time degree designed to prepare students for careers in a fast-moving tech industry. It offers a strong foundation in core areas like programming, databases, operating systems, and software development, with opportunities to specialise in fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.
The course is open to students with or without prior computing experience. It’s accredited by the BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, which helps with professional recognition after graduation.
Students benefit from modern facilities and direct links to Cardiff’s tech innovation hub. The department offers dedicated academic support, mentoring, and a team to help students find and prepare for work placements.
Work experience is definitely a key focus here. Students can take part in summer placements or industry projects with major companies like Airbus, Red Bull Racing, Lloyds Bank, GSK, Admiral, and even CERN. This practical exposure strengthens employability and helps build real-world skills alongside academic learning.
Cardiff’s Dental Surgery (BDS) degree is a five-year, full-time programme that prepares students for clinical practice through a mix of early patient contact, practical training, and academic study. It ranks among the top 4 in the UK for dentistry (Complete University Guide 2025), making it a competitive and well-regarded course.
Teaching takes place in the University Dental Hospital, offering direct access to patients and clinical facilities from early in the course. Students begin hands-on training in a £2.2 million simulation suite, using modern technology such as intra-oral scanners and 3D printing. Practical skills are first developed on advanced mannequins, or ‘phantom heads’, before progressing to real clinical scenarios.
The course includes NHS-linked clinical placements across Wales, providing exposure to a wide range of patient cases under close supervision. Students benefit from working with experienced clinicians throughout their training.
Cardiff University Entry Deadline
| Date | What Happens |
| 13 May 2025 | Applications open. Students can start filling in their UCAS forms. |
| 2 Sep 2025 | Students can start submitting completed applications to UCAS. |
| 15 Oct 2025 (6pm) | Deadline for Oxford, Cambridge, and most medicine, dentistry, vet courses. |
| 14 Jan 2026 (6pm) | Main deadline for most undergraduate courses. |
| 26 Feb 2026 | UCAS Extra opens. Students with no offers can apply for more courses. |
| 30 Jun 2026 (6pm) | Last date to apply before Clearing. After this, applications go to Clearing. |
| 5 Jul 2026 | Clearing opens. Students can view and apply to available places. |
| 24 Sep 2026 | Final deadline to apply for 2026 entry. |
| 19 Oct 2026 | Last date to add a Clearing choice. |
Cardiff University Entry Requirements
Law: AAA-ABB (A level)
Computer Science: ABB-BBC (A level)
Dentistry: AAA (A level). Must include Biology and Chemistry.
Cardiff University Fees
Fees vary by course, here are some of the 2025/2026 fees:
Law (LLB)
UK
International
Computer Science (BSc)
UK
International
Cardiff University Sports Facilities
Fitness and Conditioning Centre
This newly refurbished facility spans three floors and includes cardio, resistance, and weight equipment. The top floor is dedicated to strength and conditioning, ideal for athletes and anyone serious about performance training.
Sports Fields
The university’s outdoor sports grounds feature high-quality synthetic pitches, modern changing rooms, meeting spaces, and catering facilities. They’re used by students, staff, and local sports groups.
Sports Training Village
This facility provides floodlit outdoor pitches and supports both competitive and casual sports. It also hosts various indoor training sessions and matches.
Studio 49
Located near the city centre and main campus buildings, Studio 49 is a modern dance and fitness studio offering a wide range of group classes.
Cardiff University Notable Alumni
- Huw Edwards – Former BBC News at Ten presenter and senior news anchor
- John Humphrys – Veteran broadcaster and former presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme
- Guto Harri – Former BBC journalist and communications adviser to Boris Johnson
- Manish Bhasin – BBC and Premier League TV sports presenter
- Baroness Jenny Randerson – Liberal Democrat life peer and former Welsh Assembly Member
- David Melding – Former Deputy Presiding Officer of the Senedd
- Neil Kinnock – Former leader of the Labour Party (studied at University College, Cardiff before it became Cardiff University)
- Susanna Reid – Co-presenter of Good Morning Britain (postgrad diploma in journalism)
- Alice Levine – Radio and TV presenter, podcast host (My Dad Wrote a Porno)
- Alex Jones – Presenter of BBC’s The One Show (postgrad journalism at Cardiff)
- Martin Lewis – Founder of MoneySavingExpert.com (postgraduate diploma in broadcast journalism)
- Steve Tomlinson – Co-founder of SwiftKey (AI-powered keyboard, later acquired by Microsoft)
Experience the City of Cardiff as a Student
Cardiff is a student-friendly capital city that combines affordability with plenty to see and do. It’s compact, easy to get around, and packed with places to eat, shop, and relax.
The city centre is just a short walk from the university campus. You’ll find independent cafes, major high street brands, a thriving indoor market, and regular events at venues like St David’s Hall and the Principality Stadium. Cardiff Bay offers waterside restaurants, cinemas, and scenic walks, while Bute Park provides one of the UK’s largest urban green spaces right next to the main campus.
Nightlife is active but varied, whether you’re into clubs, live gigs, or quiet pubs. There’s also a strong local arts and music scene, as well as major sporting events in rugby, football, and athletics.
How much does it cost to live in Cardiff as a Student
| Expense Category | University Halls (£/month) | Private Shared (£/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (including bills) | 647 | 450 |
| Utilities & broadband | Included | 103.50 |
| Food & toiletries | 276.55 | 276.55 |
| Study costs | 15 | 15 |
| Socialising & leisure | 195 | 195 |
| Clothing | 35 | 35 |
| Mobile phone & TV licence | 32.13 | 21.52 |
| Total (per month) | 1,201.07 | 1,096.57 |
Opportunities in Cardiff as an International Student
Academic Support and Integration
Cardiff University provides dedicated support for international students, including:
- Pre-arrival webinars and visa advice
- Airport pick-up services during arrivals
- A dedicated International Student Support team
- English language support and academic writing workshops
Many courses also include group work and real-world projects, which help international students integrate into academic life more quickly.
Part-Time Work and Employability
International students on a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during holidays. Cardiff offers a good range of part-time jobs in retail, hospitality, and the university itself.
The university’s Careers and Employability Service runs workshops, CV clinics, and job fairs. Many international students also benefit from placement opportunities with companies like Admiral, Airbus, and NHS Wales.
Social and Cultural Opportunities
Cardiff is multicultural, with global restaurants, international supermarkets, cultural festivals, and faith-based communities. The Cardiff Students’ Union runs more than 200 societies, including many international and cultural clubs such as:
- Malaysian Society
- Chinese Students and Scholars Association
- Arab Society
- South Asian Society
- This makes it easier to meet people with shared backgrounds and interests.
Post-Study Work Options
After graduation, international students can apply for the Graduate Route visa, which allows you to stay and work in the UK for two years (or three if you complete a PhD). Cardiff’s strong employer links, particularly in areas like tech, engineering, and life sciences, support those looking to stay in the UK longer-term.
Cardiff University Contact Information
- Official website: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/
- Address: Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT
- General information for international students: +44 (0)29 2087 4000
