A Renowned Welsh Institution! Is Cardiff University Ranking and Reputation Up to the Mark?

While Welsh universities may not be as widely discussed, Wales offers not only stunning scenery and a lower cost of living compared to cities like London but also hosts some outstanding universities. Here, Cyclopes provides an in-depth review of Cardiff University, analysing everything from the city and university background to living costs and rankings to answer the question: Is Cardiff University good?

Source: iStock

Cardiff, located in the southeast of Wales across from Bristol and approximately three hours by car or two to two and a half hours by train from London, is the 11th largest city in the UK and the capital of Wales, serving as the administrative, economic, and cultural heart of the region.

Although it wasn't until 1998 that Cardiff University was granted university status, becoming an independent university in 2005, it has already established a good reputation as one of Wales' premier institutions. Cardiff University comprises three colleges: the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, and the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering, indicating its strong focus on both arts and sciences.

Rankings are a key reference to assess Cardiff University. According to the latest QS World University Rankings for 2024, Cardiff University stands at 154th globally and 24th in the UK. In domestic rankings, Cardiff University is 21st in the 'Complete University Guide 2024' and 29th in 'The Guardian University Guide'. The 'Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide' 2024 places it at 25th in the UK, marking Cardiff as a leading university nationwide.

Source: iStock

https://www.cyclopeseducation.com/blog/84/uk-russell-group-universities

Success stories of alumni reflect the university's reputation, with notable figures including the President of Iraq, Barham Salih, the Prime Minister of Jordan, Faisal Al-Fayez, the Chief Economist of the Bank of England, Spencer Dale, and Nobel laureates in Chemistry and Medicine, Robert Huber and Martin Evans, among its graduates.

Parents and students might wonder: is enrolling at Cardiff University a good decision? Beyond the positive rankings and reputations, economic factors are also a significant allure for choosing this university.

While UK university fees are regulated for domestic students, international students face different rates set by the universities themselves. For international students, Cardiff's fees are relatively lower, especially when compared to other Russell Group institutions, ranging from £20,250 to £20,900 for the 2024/25 academic year.

Moreover, the cost of living in Cardiff is lower compared to other major university cities in the UK. According to Cardiff University's own estimate for international student living expenses, the annual total is around £10,252 (based on 39 weeks of classes), equating to about £1,139 per month, making Cardiff an economical option for those wishing to study in a Russell Group university.

Source: iStock

Having explored the rankings and reviews of Cardiff University, are you considering studying in this notable Welsh institution? If you have questions about studying in the UK, feel free to consult the Cyclopes professional educational consultancy team for detailed and appropriate advice.