Cardiff University
Cardiff, Wales, UNITED KINGDOM

University Info   |   School of Engineering Info   |   International Student Info

Introduction

Founded in 1883, Cardiff University is a member of the prestigious Russell Group top-20 UK research-led universities, with an established global profile. The University is located in and around the Portland stone buildings, parks and tree-lined avenues that form Cardiff’s magnificent civic centre.

Key facts about Cardiff University

• Ranked 5th in the UK (REF 2014) and in the top 1.5% in the world (QS).
• 27 academic schools with teaching given the highest possible award in the last UK Government review.
• 30,180 students, with more than 3,000 from outside the EU, from 110 different countries.
• Employment averages for international graduates 10% higher than the UK average.
• Accommodation is guaranteed for single international students and is within walking distance to the University.
• Graduate Centre with dedicated study facilities, skills teaching and social events space for postgraduate students.
• 18 libraries with more than 1.5 million books and 25,000 e-journals.
• Wi-Fi enabled campus, 28 IT suites and internet access in every hall of residence.
• At the centre of Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. Cardiff provides a unique cultural experience but is only 2 hours from London by train, and offers flights to explore Europe via nearby Cardiff and Bristol airports.

The University Chancellor, Professor Sir Martin Evans FRS is a Nobel Prize winner for Medicine.

Terms of Exchange

Study Level

• Undergraduate students: Accepted
• Graduate students: NOT Accepted
• Computer Science majors: Accepted

English Proficiency Requirements 

• Minimum TOEFL iBT score – 90
• Minimum IELTS score – 6.5 with at least 5.5 in each sub-score

Cardiff also accepts other tests of English language proficiency.

Study Period

Spring Semester or Academic Year only

We are unable to accept Global E3 students to study at Cardiff University for the Fall Semester only.

Cardiff University will not be accepting inbound Global E3 exchange students for Spring 2018.

Academic Calendar   |   Semester Dates (including exam period)

• Fall: late September to late January
• Spring: late January to mid-June

Please be aware that you will need to arrive at Cardiff University before the start of term for the Induction (Orientation Programme) details on which can be found on our website.

Academic Information

Disciplines Available

• Architectural Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Computer Systems Engineering
• Electrical and Electronic Engineering
• Electronic and Communications Engineering
• Integrated Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Engineering

Course Contents

Please ensure you read about choosing your programme of study at Cardiff before visiting the course information

Course descriptions in Engineering   |   Course descriptions in all academic schools

Course Timetables (Schedule of Classes): Timetable will be given on enrollment. Examples of previous timetables available electronically on request.

Enrollment Requirements

All incoming Global E3 exchange students must take at least 60% of their module/course credits from within the School of Engineering. Up to 40% of modules can be taken from other academic schools (e.g. Social Sciences, Computer Science, etc.).

Therefore, at least 40 of the required 60 credits per semester must be from the School of Engineering.

Workload per Semester

You must take a 60 Cardiff University credits per semester. This constitutes: 600 hours per semester (12 weeks) with contact time between 20-25 hours per week.

Additional Application Materials

Students nominated by IIE to Cardiff are required to complete an application with Cardiff University and send in all necessary accompanying documentation.

Cardiff University's application deadline:

• September start: April 30th
• January start: October 31st

Providing the application is complete, we aim to send you an acceptance email within two weeks of its receipt. Following this, information will be sent to you about studying in Cardiff both via email and in an acceptance packet.

Housing

The University guarantees a single occupancy place in University Residences to all Study Abroad students who apply during the normal admissions cycle.

Shortly after you have been made an offer to study at Cardiff University you will be sent an email asking you to apply for a place in University residences. Details of our University residences, cost and how to apply for accommodation is available on the Residences website .

Estimated Cost of Living

A living expenses calculator can be found on our website.

This includes budgeting for food, housing, local transportation, academic expense and any other personal expenses.

Contact

Office Responsible for International Exchange Students

Study Abroad Office   |   studyabroad@cardiff.ac.uk

Global Opportunity Centre
Cardiff University
37 Park Place
Cardiff CF10 3BB
Wales UK

City Info

Cardiff is an excellent city in which to live and study. Shortlisted for European Capital of Culture 2007, its cosmopolitan nature provides something for everyone, from the excitement of the city centre to the peace and tranquility of the surrounding countryside. Such is the quality of the ‘Cardiff experience’ that a recent survey a large majority of students said they would like to stay and live in the city after graduating from university.

Cardiff was also ranked 7th among the Top 50 European cities by Foreign Direct Investment (fDi) magazine in its 2008/09 survey, and was ranked 2nd among the top 10 Small European Cities. The judging criteria included factors such as quality of life, relocation appeal, cost and infrastructure.

Extensive Parklands

Cardiff has more urban green space than any other UK city. 330 parks and gardens reach right into the centre of the city creating a calm and refreshing atmosphere.

A Magnificent Civic Centre

The University is based within Cardiff's magnificent civic centre. With its wide tree-lined avenues, ornamental parklands and white-stoned neo-classical architecture, it provides one of the finest sites of any civic university in Britain.

Convenient Location

Cardiff is an extremely accessible city, benefiting from excellent road, rail and air communications. Using the hourly high-speed train service, London is reached within two hours. Cardiff has convenient connections to Heathrow and Gatwick airports and the city also benefits from its own international airport. The city is served directly by the M4 motorway providing fast links to the rest of the UK.

A Multicultural Community

Cardiff offers overseas visitors a multicultural environment in which all nationalities and beliefs are represented and respected. Facilities and community groups representing all major religions may be found close to the University. As one of Britain's first mixed communities, Cardiff offers a relaxed environment where everyone is made welcome.

Affordable Living

Cardiff is known as an affordable capital city. For example, Cardiff was identified by a British Tourist Authority (BTA) survey as the cheapest capital city for nine years. This survey compared 16 capital cities around the world including such items as accommodation, travel, food, entertainment, shopping and services. The Virgin 2003 Guide to Universities found that Cardiff had the lowest cost of living of any university city and the Guardian newspaper also recently identified Cardiff as one of the cheapest cities in the UK.

Cardiff has a distinctive character. Combining a modern culture with a Roman heritage and an urban atmosphere with peaceful retreat, Cardiff is a hard working, laid back capital city that is friendly and intimate.

Want to know more? For everything you need, visit the official Cardiff website and take a look for yourself.