Scholarships and Financial Aid

Cardiff University offers a wide range of scholarships and financial support options to help students from diverse backgrounds access high-quality education. These opportunities are designed to recognize academic excellence, support underrepresented groups, and alleviate financial burdens. International students can apply for merit-based awards such as the Cardiff University International Scholarships, which provide up to £3,000 towards tuition fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programs.

• Undergraduate Scholarships: The Reach Scholarship targets students from low-income households in the UK, offering full tuition coverage and maintenance support. The Vice Chancellor's International Scholarship awards £2,000 to outstanding international applicants based on academic merit.
• Postgraduate Funding: Programs like the Cardiff India Scholarship provide £10,000 for Indian students pursuing master's degrees. Additionally, the Chevening Scholarships, in partnership with the UK government, fully fund one-year master's programs for global leaders.
• Subject-Specific Awards: Fields like medicine and engineering have dedicated funds, such as the School of Biosciences International Scholarship, worth £4,000 annually.

To apply, students should check the university's funding portal and submit applications by the specified deadlines, typically in January for September intake. Need-based bursaries, like the Cardiff Financial Support Fund, offer up to £5,000 for living expenses, assessed through a simple online form.

Research Opportunities

Cardiff University is a research-intensive institution, ranked in the top 10 in the UK for research impact. Students at all levels can engage in cutting-edge projects across disciplines, from climate change to health sciences. Undergraduate students can participate in the Summer Research Internship Scheme, a 8-10 week paid program where they work alongside leading academics on real-world problems.

Program Level	Opportunity Name	Duration	Benefits
Undergraduate	URP (Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme)	6-12 weeks	£300 weekly stipend, academic credit, publication potential
Postgraduate Taught	Research Assistantships	Full academic year	Tuition waiver, £15,000 salary, hands-on lab experience
PhD	Doctoral Academy Studentships	3-4 years	Full funding (£18,000/year stipend), travel grants for conferences

PhD candidates benefit from the EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnerships, funding collaborative research with industry partners like Airbus and the NHS. The university's Global Opportunities Fund supports international research collaborations, enabling students to join projects in Europe, Asia, and beyond. Applications are open year-round via the Research and Innovation Services office.

Internships and Work Placements

Practical experience is key to employability, and Cardiff University integrates work placements into many degree programs. The Cardiff Employability College facilitates internships with over 1,000 partner organizations, including BBC Wales, Deloitte, and local startups. Year-in-industry options are available in business, engineering, and computer science, lasting 9-12 months with a minimum salary of £18,000.

• Key Programs:
  • Professional Placement Year: Guaranteed for eligible students, with CV workshops and interview coaching.
  • Global Internship Scheme: Summer placements abroad in countries like the USA and Australia, subsidized by university grants up to £1,500.
  • Volunteering Opportunities: Through the Student Union Active Community, students can gain credits for community service roles in sustainability and public health initiatives.

Postgraduates can access the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP), where they work on 12-36 month projects bridging academia and industry, often leading to full-time job offers. The university's 95% employability rate within six months of graduation underscores the value of these placements.

Career Services and Networking

The Careers and Employability Service at Cardiff provides personalized support, including one-on-one advising, mock interviews, and access to an online job portal with 5,000+ vacancies annually. Events like the Cardiff Careers Fair, attended by 200+ employers, offer networking with alumni in fields from finance to creative industries.

Alumni Network: With 200,000 members worldwide, the Cardiff University Alumni Association connects graduates for mentorship and job referrals. Initiatives like the Future Leaders Programme target high-achievers, offering leadership training and exclusive internships at FTSE 100 companies.

International and Extracurricular Opportunities

Cardiff embraces global perspectives through the Go Abroad Programme, enabling semester exchanges with 300+ partner universities in 50 countries. Scholarships cover travel and visa costs for eligible students. On campus, societies and clubs—over 170 in total—foster skills in leadership and teamwork, from the Entrepreneurship Society to the Debating Union.

Additionally, the Santander Fund supports student-led projects, awarding up to £1,000 for innovative ideas in social enterprise and cultural exchange. These opportunities not only enrich academic life but also build a global network, preparing students for successful careers in an interconnected world.