Cardiff University
Founded in 1883, royal charter 1884. The only Russell Group university in Wales and a founding member. QS World 2026 number 181 (top 200 worldwide). 30,000 plus students, 7,530 plus international students from 138 plus countries. Acceptance around 72 percent, among the most accessible in the Russell Group. 2 affiliated Nobel laureates: Sir Martin Evans and Robert Edwards.
About Cardiff
Cardiff University (Welsh: Prifysgol Caerdydd) was founded in 1883 as the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, receiving its royal charter in 1884. Independent since 2005 as Cardiff University. In 2026 it turns 143. The only Russell Group university in Wales. Location: Cardiff (Caerdydd), the capital of Wales, a bilingual city (English plus Welsh), home to the Welsh Government, BBC Wales, Principality Stadium, Cardiff Castle. A civic centre campus with iconic Portland stone buildings, next to Cardiff Castle and the National Museum of Wales. A Russell Group founding member.
What makes Cardiff unique: it is the only Russell Group university in Wales, representing the Welsh elite. QS World 2026 number 181 (top 200 worldwide). THE 2026 number 201. Complete University Guide 2026 top 22 UK. Overall acceptance around 72 percent: among the most accessible Russell Group universities alongside Queen's Belfast (around 75%) and Exeter (around 76%). REF 2021: 90 plus percent of research classified as world-leading or internationally excellent. Cardiff was number 5 in the UK for research quality and number 2 in the UK for research impact (REF 2014). 2 affiliated Nobel laureates: Sir Martin Evans (Medicine 2007, stem cells and knockout mice, revolutionary for modern genetics), Robert Edwards (Medicine 2010, founder of IVF, PhD at Cardiff). 17 Fellows of the Royal Society, 10 Royal Academy of Engineering, 7 British Academy, 21 Academy of Medical Sciences. 7 Queen's Anniversary Prizes for educational contributions. 94 percent in employment or further study within 6 months of graduation.
Recognised specialisms at Cardiff: Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Culture: top UK for journalism, benefiting from the proximity of the BBC Wales HQ (Roath Lock studios where Doctor Who plus Casualty are filmed). Welsh School of Architecture: top 50 QS Subject 2025. Cardiff School of Dentistry: top 50 QS Subject. Communication and Media Studies: top 50 QS Subject. English Language and Literature: top 100 QS. Geography: top 100 QS. Cardiff Business School: top UK for Marketing, Business, Accounting and Finance. School of Medicine: 5-year MBChB, partnerships with NHS Wales. School of Engineering: Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Computer Science. School of Psychology: top UK. School of Law and Politics: does NOT require the LNAT. 305 UG courses plus 190 PG. 200 plus societies, 5,500 plus accommodation spaces.
For Romanian students, Cardiff is an excellent option for those who want an accessible Russell Group university with reasonable costs plus internationally recognised specialisms. Cardiff's major advantages: (1) the only Russell Group university in Wales, a unique prestige; (2) tuition among the lowest in the Russell Group, from £19,700/year (similar to Queen's Belfast); (3) cost of living around £750-1,000/month, among the lowest in the UK alongside Belfast, Sheffield, Liverpool; (4) acceptance around 72 percent, top 3 most accessible RG; (5) Journalism top UK, the BBC Wales HQ in Cardiff offers extraordinary placement opportunities; (6) does NOT require the LNAT for Law (versus Oxford, UCL, KCL, LSE, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham); (7) 2 Nobel laureates, a strong scientific tradition; (8) 94 percent employment rate; (9) a bilingual capital city, a culturally rich experience. Typical Romanian profile: Bacalaureat science track for Engineering, CS, Maths, Architecture, biology track for Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Biology, Psychology, humanities track for Journalism (top UK BBC), Law (without the LNAT), English, Politics, History, Business. Notable alumni: Sir Martin Evans (Nobel Medicine 2007), Huw Edwards (iconic BBC News anchor), Ken Follett (iconic author of Pillars of the Earth, more than 188 million books sold), Neil Kinnock (UK Labour leader), Sir Vince Cable (politician), Carol Vorderman (Countdown TV presenter).
How to apply to Cardiff
UCAS application (C15)
You apply through UCAS, a maximum of 5 choices in total. Cardiff uses the institution code C15. UCAS application fee: £28.95. Cardiff has 305 plus undergraduate programmes: Journalism (top UK), Medicine MBChB, Dentistry BDS, Architecture (top 50 QS), Engineering, Business School, Law (without the LNAT), Psychology, English, Communication and Media Studies. The main language of instruction is English, but Welsh options are available.
Deadline 14 January 2026 (Med/Dent 15 Oct)
Standard UCAS deadline for Cardiff: 14 January 2026, 18:00 UK time, for most courses. Exception for Medicine MBChB plus Dentistry BDS: deadline 15 October 2025. UCAS Apply opens in September 2025. UCAS Extra: until 26 February 2026. Cardiff accepts some international applications until 30 June 2026 for courses with places remaining.
Tests: UCAT (Med/Dent), NO LNAT (Law)
Cardiff's advantage vs other Russell Group universities: it does NOT require the LNAT for Law. Cardiff is not in the LNAT consortium. For Medicine MBChB at Cardiff the UCAT is mandatory (it replaced the BMAT in 2024). For Dentistry BDS: the UCAT is mandatory. It does NOT require the TMUA for Maths, CS, Economics. For Engineering, CS, Journalism, Architecture, Business, Maths, Psychology, Humanities: there are no mandatory tests, just UCAS plus a Personal Statement plus predicted grades plus an academic reference.
Personal Statement (new 2026 format)
The UCAS Personal Statement has been reformatted for 2026 entry, structured into 3 sections with specific questions. Total around 4,000 characters. Strictly academic for the UK. For Cardiff Journalism: journalistic experience, a portfolio, awareness of the BBC Wales heritage. For Architecture: a creative portfolio plus design thinking. For Medicine: clinical work experience plus volunteering. For Law (without the LNAT): critical thinking plus current affairs plus debate experience.
IELTS / TOEFL (by December)
Minimum IELTS Academic for Cardiff: 6.5 overall, no less than 5.5 per component (more relaxed than many RG). Higher 7.0 plus for Medicine, Dentistry, Law, English Literature, Education. TOEFL iBT 90 plus. PTE Academic 62-70. Valid for 2 years. An international high school taught in English may waive IELTS in some cases.
Conditional offer plus Bacalaureat
Conditional offers based on predicted grades. For the Romanian Bacalaureat: Bacalaureat average of 8-8.5 plus and 8-8.5 plus on the relevant track for standard courses, 9 plus for competitive ones. Equivalent to BBB-ABB A-Levels standard, AAA competitive. Medicine MBChB: A*AA plus Biology and Chemistry plus UCAT. Dentistry BDS: AAA plus UCAT. Journalism: ABB-AAB. Architecture: AAA plus portfolio. Engineering: AAB-AAA plus Maths/Physics. CS: AAA plus Maths. Business: AAB-AAA. Law (without the LNAT): AAA. Humanities: ABB-AAA. IB accepted: 32-36 points.
Costs and financial aid
International tuition 2026-27
Total cost of 3-year BSc Honours for a Romanian
Strictly merit-based
Cardiff does NOT offer need-blind or need-aware admissions like the US Ivies. For international undergraduates, there is NO need-based financial aid. Scholarships are allocated on exceptional pre-university grades, a motivation letter and outstanding academic performance.
£3,500-£10,000
Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship: £3,500-£10,000 tuition reduction for outstanding international students. Country-specific and faculty-specific scholarships (Business, Engineering, Medicine, Journalism). Sports scholarships. For Romanians: apply separately from UCAS, deadlines April-May. Competitive: around 5-10 percent of international students receive funding.
Full Overseas fees
Since 2021, EU citizens (Romanians) pay full Overseas fees, NO longer the home rate of £9,535/year. You no longer have access to UK Student Loans. Exception: settled status pre-Brexit or Irish citizenship. CAS visa requirement: proof of tuition funds plus £1,023/month living costs (Cardiff cheaper than London's £1,334/month).
Want to apply to Cardiff?
Cardiff offers a rare combination: the only Russell Group university in Wales, QS top 200, tuition from £19,700/year, a cost of living around £750-1,000/month, acceptance around 72 percent, 2 Nobel laureates, Journalism top UK (BBC Wales HQ) and no LNAT required. We help you with the strategy, the Personal Statement, predicted grades and the complete UCAS application. The first mentoring session is 100% free.
Talk to a mentorFrequently asked questions
How hard is it to get into Cardiff University?
Cardiff is among the top 3 most accessible Russell Group universities with an overall acceptance rate around 72 percent (alongside Queen's Belfast around 75% and Exeter around 76%). For Romanians: predicted A-Level grades of BBB-ABB (equivalent to a Bacalaureat of 8-8.5 plus) for standard courses, among the most relaxed RG requirements. Competitive: Medicine MBChB A*AA plus UCAT, Dentistry BDS AAA plus UCAT, Architecture AAA plus portfolio, Engineering AAB-AAA plus Maths, CS AAA plus Maths, Business AAB-AAA. Cardiff's advantage: it does NOT require the LNAT for Law, nor the TMUA for Maths/CS.
How much does Cardiff University cost for Romanians?
Post-Brexit 2021, Romanians pay Overseas fees. Tuition 2026-27: £19,700-£46,900 per year. Classroom (Humanities, Law, Business, Journalism): £19,700-£23k (among the lowest in the Russell Group). Lab/CS: £23-26k. Engineering: £24-27k. Dentistry BDS: £42-46k. Medicine MBChB 5 years: £46,900/year. Cost of living in Cardiff: around £9-12k per year (£750-1,000/month), among the most affordable in the UK.
Total 3 years BA for a Romanian: ~£85-100k Humanities/Law/Business/Journalism, ~£95-115k Sciences/CS/Engineering. 5 years Medicine: ~£270-300k. The most accessible Russell Group university alongside Queen's Belfast.
What scholarships are there at Cardiff for international students?
Cardiff offers the Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship: £3,500-£10,000 tuition reduction for outstanding international students. Country-specific scholarships for certain nationalities. Faculty-specific scholarships: Business, Engineering, Medicine, Journalism. Sports scholarships. Merit-based only (NOT need-based for international students like the US Ivies). For Romanians: apply separately from UCAS, deadlines April-May. Competitive, around 5-10 percent of international students receive Cardiff funding. Plus UK Government Chevening (postgrad only).
Do I need the LNAT or UCAT for Cardiff?
Cardiff's advantage: it does NOT require the LNAT for Law. Cardiff is not in the LNAT consortium (Oxford, UCL, KCL, LSE, Durham, Bristol, Nottingham, Glasgow, SOAS all require the LNAT). It does NOT require the TMUA for Maths/CS/Economics (versus Warwick, Imperial, LSE, Cambridge). For Medicine MBChB at Cardiff the UCAT is mandatory (it replaced the BMAT in 2024). For Dentistry BDS: the UCAT is mandatory. For Engineering, CS, Journalism, Architecture, Business, Maths, Humanities: there are no mandatory tests, just UCAS plus a Personal Statement plus predicted grades plus a reference.
Why is Cardiff Journalism top UK?
The Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Culture is top UK for journalism, thanks to a unique combination of academic excellence plus industry proximity. Cardiff is the media capital of Wales: the BBC Wales HQ (Roath Lock studios where Doctor Who, Casualty, Sherlock are filmed), ITV Wales, plus many production companies. Benefits for students: BBC plus media plus production company internships, guest lectures from top journalists, the Cardiff Journalism Centre with broadcast studios plus newsrooms to industry standard. Programmes: BA Journalism, Communications and Politics, BA Media and Communication Studies. Requirements: ABB-AAB. Tuition: around £20-23k/year. Career after graduation: BBC, ITV, Sky News, Channel 4, publishing, PR agencies. Starting journalism salaries £22-35k. Iconic alumni: Huw Edwards (BBC News anchor).
Which are the strongest Cardiff courses for Romanians?
Cardiff is renowned for: Journalism, Media and Culture: top UK (BBC Wales HQ in Cardiff). Welsh School of Architecture: top 50 QS Subject 2025. School of Dentistry: top 50 QS Subject. Communication and Media Studies: top 50 QS. English Language and Literature: top 100 QS. Geography: top 100 QS. Cardiff Business School: top UK for Marketing, Accounting and Finance. School of Medicine: 5-year MBChB (Sir Martin Evans Nobel 2007, stem cells). Engineering (Mech/Civil/Electrical/CS) top UK. School of Psychology: top UK. Pharmacy plus Optometry: top UK. 305 UG courses, 190 PG. 94 percent employment rate.
What is student life like in Cardiff?
Cardiff is the capital of Wales, a bilingual city (English plus Welsh), home to the Welsh Government, BBC Wales, Principality Stadium (iconic rugby), Cardiff Castle, Cardiff Bay. The university: 30,000 plus students, 7,530 plus international students from 138 plus countries. A civic centre campus with iconic Portland stone buildings (next to Cardiff Castle plus the National Museum of Wales). 200 plus societies, 5,500 plus accommodation spaces. Cost of living around £750-1,000/month: among the most affordable in the UK (alongside Belfast, Sheffield, Liverpool). A compact, friendly, walkable city: Cardiff Castle, the stadium, the Bay all within walking distance of campus. Cardiff Bay: foodie scene, music venues, Doctor Who Experience (BBC). Transport connections: train to London Paddington in 2 hours. Cardiff Airport connects to Europe. Iconic sports culture: rugby (Wales national team), football (Cardiff City FC).
Can I stay in the UK after graduating from Cardiff?
Yes, through the Graduate Route visa. After graduating with any Cardiff degree (BSc, BA, MBChB, BDS, LLB, BArch), you automatically have the right to 2 years on the Graduate Route (3 years for a PhD) without a sponsor. Visa cost: £822 plus £1,035 per year IHS. Cardiff has 94 percent in employment or further study within 6 months. Cardiff graduate salaries: Medicine MBChB £33-37k FY1 NHS; Dentistry BDS £35-45k NHS plus private; Journalism £22-35k starting (BBC, ITV, Sky, Channel 4); Architecture £25-35k RIBA pathway; Engineering £28-42k starting (Airbus, BT, IBM); CS £30-45k tech (Microsoft, fintech); Business £28-40k consulting/finance; Law (without the LNAT) £28-42k regional UK plus the City of London; Pharmacy £30-45k starting. Top Cardiff recruiters: Airbus, HSBC, BT, Microsoft, BBC, Deloitte. For Romanians: Cardiff's 143-year reputation, 2 Nobel laureates, a global alumni network of 220,000 plus members.
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