Cardiff University Admissions, Rankings, Fees, Acceptance Rate and Scholarships for International Students 2026
Cardiff University, founded in 1883, is the only Welsh member of the Russell Group of research-intensive UK universities. It hosts more than 31,000 students from over 140 countries, making it a popular choice for international applicants planning to study in the UK.
Cardiff University Rankings
Cardiff climbed two places to =179th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, its performance driven by strong scores in academic reputation, sustainability (83rd globally) and international research partnerships. It also ranks 17th among UK universities in the Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) 2026, and 31 of its subjects feature in the global top 200 in the QS Subject Rankings. Full details are on the university's official rankings page.
Admission Requirements for International Students
Entry requirements vary by course and level, so applicants should always check the specific programme page before applying. In general:
- Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS, with course-specific A-level, IB or equivalent grade requirements.
- Postgraduate applicants typically need a relevant bachelor's degree, usually at a 2:1 or equivalent standard.
- English language proficiency is required for all international applicants: a minimum IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall (6.0 in each component) for undergraduate study, and 7.0 overall (6.5 in each component) for postgraduate study. Some courses, such as Medicine and Journalism, ask for higher scores.
Full details are available on Cardiff's official English language requirements page and its undergraduate applying page.
Tuition Fees for International Students
Tuition fees depend on the course, level and duration of study, so figures should always be checked on the specific course page. As a general guide for the 2026/27 entry cycle, international undergraduate fees broadly range from around £19,700 to £24,450 a year for most subjects, rising to roughly £46,900 a year for Medicine. Postgraduate taught fees generally range from around £22,000 to £34,700 a year depending on the programme.
Official figures are published on Cardiff's tuition fees page, with separate breakdowns for overseas undergraduate fees and postgraduate fees.
Acceptance Rate
Cardiff University's overall acceptance rate is estimated at around 20%, reflecting fairly competitive admissions, particularly for popular courses such as Psychology, Law, Computer Science and Biomedical Science. Actual chances of admission vary widely by course and applicant profile, so this figure should be treated as a general guide rather than a fixed rule.
Scholarships for International Students
Cardiff offers a range of scholarships specifically for international students, in addition to funding run jointly with external bodies. Some of the key awards include:
- Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship – £10,000, open to most international undergraduates
- Vice-Chancellor's Undergraduate International Scholarship – £3,500 to £5,000
- Vice-Chancellor's Postgraduate International Scholarship – £4,000 to £10,000
- Cardiff India Scholarships – £6,000, for Indian students on selected postgraduate taught programmes
- Red Dragon Scholarship – £10,000, for students from Mainland China or Türkiye
- GREAT Scholarship – £10,000, for students from France, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Pakistan and Spain
- Chevening, Fulbright, Marshall and Commonwealth Scholarships, for eligible applicants from specific countries
The full, up-to-date list is maintained on the official international scholarships page.
How to Apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS, while postgraduate applications are made directly to Cardiff University. International applicants should check course-specific deadlines early, as some competitive programmes close well ahead of general UK deadlines. Full guidance is available on Cardiff's international students hub.