Cardiff University

Established in 1883, Cardiff University enjoys an international reputation for academic excellence and is Wales’ only Russell Group university. It was ranked 13th in the UK in the Times Higher Education Global University Employability Ranking 2022.

With a wide choice of degree programmes, as well as strong employment prospects upon completion of your degree, Cardiff University has a great deal to offer.

Set in the city's magnificent civic centre, it is difficult to imagine a more attractive place to study.

There are more than 350 degree programmes at Cardiff University and a modular system which provides a large amount of flexibility and choice. The University has links with more than 300 top-ranked institutions, which gives students an opportunity to study abroad.

Cardiff Students’ Union (CSU) is at the heart of Cardiff student life. That means that CSU supports students to thrive and has their backs when things don’t go as planned, all within a safe, inclusive space where students can be who they want to be.

CSU was recently voted 2nd place in the UK in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2024 for best Students’ Union (SU) and consistently graded in the top 5 for student satisfaction in the UK by students. There is something for everyone to get involved in across 200 societies and 65 sports teams.

Student Support Centres are provided on both the Cathays and Heath Park Campuses. They offer free, impartial, non-judgemental, and confidential advice on a wide range of matters:

• Advice and Money
• Careers and Employability
• Counselling, Health and Wellbeing
• Disability and Dyslexia
• International Student Support

For most students, going to university will mean living away from home for the first time. Settling in quickly and making new friends are important first steps of university life.

With 16 different residences, providing more than 5,500 study bedrooms, students can apply for a room that best suits their preferences, interests, and budgets. 70% of rooms have en-suite facilities. The majority of accommodation is within easy walking distance of lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, the Students’ Union, and the city centre.

Firm choice applicants, arriving in September, are guaranteed a single occupancy place in University residences, which will be with other first year students.

We provide a supportive, friendly community with exciting events run throughout the year by our Residences Life Team.

Cardiff is a thriving city that is widely recognised as an outstanding place in which to live and study. In fact, Times Higher Education recently ranked the university as one of the top 10 most beautiful universities in the UK.

It combines all the advantages of a compact, friendly, and inexpensive location with the cultural and recreational facilities you would expect from a capital city with the added benefit of being near to the beautiful Welsh countryside and coast.

Our graduates remain amongst the UK’s most employable. According to the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey (2019/20) 96% of our graduates were in employment and/or further study, due to start a new job or course, or doing other activities, such as travelling.

From the very beginning of your time at Cardiff University, throughout your studies and after graduation, the Careers and Employability service is readily available to assist you with both developing and achieving your career goals.

Students involved in extra-curricular activities and work experience can participate in the Cardiff Award Programme, which provides formal recognition of employability skills gained during these activities.

Our experienced team typically make over 300 school visits including career and HE fairs and attend UCAS, Whatuni and UK University Search events every year to provide advice, guidance, and an insight into higher education to students, in small or whole year-groups, as well as parents and teachers.

We offer a range of talks and workshops to offer guidance and support to prospective students. We are currently offering these virtually. To find out more, visit our schools and college outreach pages on our website or email us at [email protected] to secure your chosen date.

Presentation topics include:

• Applying for healthcare courses – the alternatives to Medicine
• Applying to Medicine and Dentistry
• Applying to Russell Group universities
• Choosing your course and University
• Exploring your university options from home
• How to apply: the UCAS application and personal statement
• Introduction to higher education
• Student finance explained
• Student life
• Study skills
• University interviews – what to expect
• Why study at Cardiff University
• A Parent’s Guide to Higher Education

Teachers, parents, and students can also book onto our Undergraduate Open Days and virtual events.