Cardiff University
Cardiff, United Kingdom • Founded 1883 • QS 2027 #179 =
Updated Sep 2026 · Source: cardiff.ac.uk
Overview
Cardiff University is a public research university in Cardiff, the capital of Wales.
It opened in 1883 as the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, joined the federal University of Wales in 1893, and became an independent university under its own Royal Charter in 2004. The university sits on two campuses: Cathays Park, a civic campus of Portland stone buildings near the city centre, and Heath Park, a dedicated healthcare campus beside the University Hospital of Wales.
Teaching and research are organised into three colleges, Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; and Physical Sciences and Engineering, which together cover academic schools spanning subjects from law and journalism to medicine, dentistry and engineering. Cardiff is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive UK universities and reported 90 per cent of its submitted research as world-leading or internationally excellent in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.
It enrols around 31,500 students from over 140 countries, including roughly 5,000 international students, across undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research programmes.
Location & Contact
Address, contact details, and online presence for Cardiff University are summarised below.
Academic Details
The figures below cover Cardiff University's scale, staffing levels, and academic standing.
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Privy Council.
Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (College) 18 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Archaeology
- Business Administration
- Communication Studies
- Economics
- English
- Finance
- Geography
- History
- Law
- Modern Languages
- Music
- Native Language
- Philosophy
- Political Sciences
- Regional Planning
- Religion
- Social Sciences
Biomedical and Life Sciences (College) 7 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Biological and Life Sciences
- Dentistry
- Health Sciences
- Medicine
- Optometry
- Pharmacy
- Psychology
Physical Sciences and Engineering (College) 9 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Astronomy and Space Science
- Chemistry
- Computer Science
- Earth Sciences
- Engineering
- Marine Science and Oceanography
- Mathematics
- Physics
Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education (School) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Dentistry
- Medicine
Programs Offered
Search and filter Cardiff University's available programmes by degree level.
270 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United Kingdom
Honours Degree 172 programmes
Showing 10 of 172.
Master of Business Administration 2 programmes
Master's Degree 65 programmes
Showing 10 of 65.
Doctorate 19 programmes
Showing 10 of 19.
Professional Doctorate 5 programmes
Postgraduate Certificate 3 programmes
Scholarships in United Kingdom
Scholarships open to students attending universities in the United Kingdom are listed below.
How to apply to Cardiff University
Five steps that capture how applications to Cardiff University flow.
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1
Find a programme that fits your goals
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. Cardiff University offers 270 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
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2
Confirm you meet the requirements
Each programme at Cardiff University has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
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3
Assemble your application package
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
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4
Submit your application
Undergraduate applicants apply through UCAS (ucas.com) rather than directly to Cardiff University. Postgraduate applicants apply directly through Cardiff University's own admissions portal at www.cardiff.ac.uk.
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5
Contact admissions and follow up
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +44 (29) 2087 4000. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cardiff University
Quick reference for Cardiff University: founding, control type, and recognition status.
How old is Cardiff University?
The institution opened in 1883 (approximately 143 years ago).
In which city is Cardiff University?
Cardiff University is based in Cardiff, United Kingdom.
What is Cardiff University's control type?
Cardiff University is a public institution.
How many students study at Cardiff University?
Cardiff University has approximately 31,505 students.
Where does Cardiff University stand in university rankings?
Cardiff University holds rank QS 2027 #179 =.
What qualification levels does Cardiff University offer?
Programmes at Cardiff University cover bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes.
Is Cardiff University officially recognised?
Yes, Cardiff University is recognised by Privy Council.
What is Cardiff University's official website?
You can find Cardiff University online at www.cardiff.ac.uk.
Top-Ranked Universities in the United Kingdom
Top the United Kingdom universities often run international branch campuses. Cardiff University's international footprint compared to this benchmark signals global engagement scale.
Faculties at nearby universities
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Where Else to Study Natural Sciences & Mathematics
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Universities Compared with Cardiff University
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Studying in United Kingdom: guides and resources
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