Cardiff University: Fees, Entry, Intakes and Scholarships
TL;DR: Cardiff University is a Russell Group university in Wales that takes international students into undergraduate degrees each September and into selected master's degrees in September or January. Fees are set per course, for example £24,700 a year for Accounting (BSc) in 2026 entry. Most courses ask for IELTS 6.5, and its International Study Centre offers pathway routes.
Choosing a UK university is easier when you know what it costs, what grades it asks for and when you can start. This guide sets out those facts for Cardiff University from its own pages. Check your eligibility with Prosper
What does Cardiff University offer international students?
Cardiff University was established in 1883 and is the only Welsh member of the Russell Group of 24 research-intensive UK universities, according to its undergraduate pages. Its facts and figures page reports 31,505 students from 142 countries in 2024/25 (HESA data), 12th place in the UK for employability in the Times Good University Guide 2026, and 19th in the UK for overall research quality in REF 2021.
Cardiff University is a separate institution from Cardiff Metropolitan University, which has its own courses and fees. For a wider shortlist, see universities in the UK for international students.
Cardiff University fees for international students
Cardiff sets international fees course by course. Examples for 2026 entry:
- Accounting (BSc): £24,700 a year for three years.
- Architecture (BSc): £30,700 a year for three years.
- Business Analytics (MSc): £31,700 for one year, with a £2,500 overseas deposit.
Fees are fixed for most courses but not all, and Cardiff notifies students of any later-year change by the end of June, per its overseas fees page. Fees for 2027 entry may differ, so confirm the figure on the course page when you apply. See UK tuition fees for international students and UK university deposits.
Cardiff University scholarships
The Vice-Chancellor's Postgraduate International Scholarship takes £4,000 (the standard award) off master's tuition for September 2026 and January 2027 starters, with higher amounts for some listed countries. Students who accept an offer on a selected course, pay the deposit and meet the published entry requirements are considered automatically.
The Cardiff Business School 125th Anniversary Scholarship offers £10,000 to international students on eligible MSc courses, also by automatic consideration. Its January 2027 deadline is 4 December 2026.
Cardiff University entry requirements and English scores
Undergraduate offers are set against UK A Level grades: AAB to BBB for Accounting (BSc) and AAA to AAB for Architecture (BSc) in 2026 entry. Business Analytics (MSc) asks for a 2:2 honours degree in a relevant subject.
Cardiff's international entry pages give a usual minimum of IELTS 6.5, and the course pages above ask for at least 5.5 in each skill. Students below that level can take Cardiff's English for University Study programme, whose Exit Test is accepted in place of IELTS. Choosing a test? Read IELTS UKVI vs IELTS Academic.
Undergraduate applications for 2027 entry must reach UCAS by 6:00 PM UK time on 13 January 2027 for most courses.
Cardiff University January intake
Cardiff's January start master's courses are AI+ Data Science, AI+ Management, Business Analytics, Business Management, Data Science and Analytics, Marketing, Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy. Most begin on 18 January 2027, and international students must apply by 4 December 2026. Our UK January intake timeline shows how the offer, deposit, CAS and visa steps fit around that date.
Cardiff University International Study Centre
Cardiff University International Study Centre prepares international students for Cardiff University degrees through an International Foundation Year, International Year One and Pre-Master's. Its 2026/27 fees run from £20,250 to £25,250 by programme and subject. Its semester dates show January 2027 starts on 11 January 2027 and September 2027 starts on 20 September 2027.
Applying from Sri Lanka
Cardiff considers applicants with at least three Sri Lankan A/L subjects for undergraduate degrees, with offers equivalent to its UK A Level grades. For master's study it accepts a Special or Professional bachelor's degree: 60 percent or CGPA 3.30 compares to a UK 2:1, and 55 percent or CGPA 3.0 to a 2:2. The International Study Centre publishes its own Sri Lankan entry grades, shown below.
| Your profile | Route to check first | Published fee | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| A/L results at Cardiff's typical offer | Direct degree, September | £24,700 a year (Accounting BSc, 2026 entry) | IELTS 6.5, 5.5 each skill |
| Three A/L passes at CCC | International Year One | £22,500 to £24,500 (2026/27) | IELTS for UKVI 5.5 |
| Six O/L passes at C, or two A/L passes at D | International Foundation Year | £22,250 to £25,250 (2026/27) | IELTS for UKVI 5.0 |
| Degree at 55 percent or CGPA 3.0 | Direct master's, September or January | £31,700 (Business Analytics MSc, 2026 entry) | IELTS 6.5, 5.5 each skill |
| Degree or diploma below direct entry | Pre-Master's | £20,250 to £22,250 (2026/27) | IELTS for UKVI 5.5 all skills |
Request your A/L and O/L certificates online early. After your CAS, book the TB test at the IOM clinic in Colombo and biometrics at VFS Global Colombo; our UK student visa guide covers the rest. Fees are charged in pounds, so the rupee cost moves with the exchange rate. Prosper can apply to Cardiff University for you, and to Cardiff University International Study Centre when a pathway suits your results.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cardiff University a Russell Group university?
Yes. Cardiff University is a member of the Russell Group of 24 research-intensive UK universities and its only member in Wales.
Does Cardiff University have a January intake?
Yes, for selected master's courses such as Business Analytics (MSc) and Marketing (MSc), starting 18 January 2027. International applicants must apply by 4 December 2026.
What IELTS score does Cardiff University ask for?
Cardiff University usually asks for IELTS 6.5, often with at least 5.5 in each skill. Some courses ask for more, so check the course page.
Is Cardiff University the same as Cardiff Metropolitan University?
No. Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University are separate universities in the same city, each with its own courses, entry requirements and fees.
PS: If Cardiff University is on your list, plan around 4 December 2026 for January master's and 13 January 2027 for UCAS. Send us your results and we will tell you which route fits. Check your eligibility with Prosper
References
- Undergraduate study, Cardiff University, https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate (accessed 09/11/2026)
- Facts and figures, Cardiff University, https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/about/facts-and-figures (accessed 09/11/2026)
- Accounting (BSc), 2026 entry, Cardiff University, https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2026/accounting-bsc (accessed 09/11/2026)
- Architecture (BSc), 2026 entry, Cardiff University, https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/2026/architecture-bsc (accessed 09/11/2026)
- Business Analytics (MSc), Cardiff University, https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/courses/course/business-analytics-msc (accessed 09/11/2026)
- Overseas undergraduate fees, Cardiff University, https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/tuition-fees/overseas-undergraduate-fees (accessed 09/11/2026)
- Vice-Chancellor's Postgraduate International Scholarship, Cardiff University, https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/funding-and-fees/international-scholarships/vc-international-scholarship (accessed 09/11/2026)
- Cardiff Business School 125th Anniversary Scholarship, Cardiff University, https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/funding-and-fees/international-scholarships/cardiff-business-school-125th-anniversary-scholarship (accessed 09/11/2026)
- Entry requirements for Sri Lanka, Cardiff University, https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/international/your-country/asia/sri-lanka/entry-requirements (accessed 09/11/2026)
- Postgraduate courses starting in January, Cardiff University, https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/taught/postgraduate-january-start-courses (accessed 09/11/2026)
- 2027 entry deadline for all undergraduate courses, UCAS, https://www.ucas.com/events/2027-entry-deadline-for-all-undergraduate-courses-except-those-with-a-15-october-deadline-475546 (accessed 09/11/2026)
- Fees, accommodation and living costs, Cardiff University International Study Centre, https://isc.cardiff.ac.uk/how-to-apply/fees (accessed 09/11/2026)
- Semester dates, Cardiff University International Study Centre, https://isc.cardiff.ac.uk/how-to-apply/semester-dates (accessed 09/11/2026)
- Entry requirements for international students, Cardiff University International Study Centre, https://isc.cardiff.ac.uk/how-to-apply/entry-requirements (accessed 09/11/2026)
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