Frequently Asked Questions
Getting in to Cardiff
- What qualifications do I need to study at a Postgraduate Level?
The normal requirement for admission is to have a 2:1 degree award (or equivalent), however we consider all individual applicants on their specific merits. The best way to apply is via our online application service. Full details can be obtained on our website:
Students will need the following supporting documents to apply:- Two references.
- Proof of previous qualifications
- Proof of English Language competency (where applicable)
- 2,000-3,000 word research proposal (for Postgraduate Research applications only)
- When can I start?
Postgraduate taught programmes begin in September.
Postgraduate research has 4 intake points: October, January, April & July.
Please note that there is no deadline for applications, however we advise you to leave up to 6 weeks for us to process your application. We therefore advise that you apply by mid-August at the latest, however if you wish to put in an application at a later date we will do everything we can to process this in time for the start of the academic year.
- Does the University offer accommodation to postgraduate students?
All international/EU postgraduate students are guaranteed a single occupancy place in University residences – providing they submit by the specified deadline (usually early September). Most UK postgraduate students stay in some form of privately owned accommodation and are not guaranteed a place in University residences. However, if places are available details will be published online and students are free to apply for these.
The University residences office can help provide lists of privately-owned properties for rent, and the postgraduate recruitment team run a ‘House Hunting Event’ (usually in mid-August) which enables students to get to know like-minded students with whom they may wish to look for shared accommodation.
Once You’re Here
- What are the periods of study for a postgraduate degree?
Postgraduate Taught
Full-time:normally 1 year
Part-time:normally 2 years
Postgraduate Research
PhD
Full-time: 3 years (+1 year to write up)
Part-time: 5 years (+2 years to write up)
MPhil
Full-time: 1 year (+1 year writing up)
Part-time: 2 years (+2 years writing up)
* Please note that fees are not currently paid during the writing up period - What are the anticipated time commitments?
Postgraduate Taught
Depending on which programme students are enrolled on, students are expected to spend roughly 8-10 hours per week in lectures if they are full-time, or 4-6 hours per week if they are part-time.
Postgraduate Research
Full-time students are expected to devote at least 39 hours per week for 46 weeks a year to their PhD work (part-time 21 hours per week). - How will I be assessed?
Modes of assessment vary across modules, but will consist of a mixture of assessed coursework, exams and a dissertation (or equivalent).
Research students will need to produce and submit a thesis which will be examined by an oral examination.
Welsh students normally have the option of submitting work in Welsh and having it translated into English. Special consideration is given to students with any form of disability and alternative exam venues can be arranged in other instances too. - What kind of research environment can I expect?
Cardiff is internationally recognised as being one of Britain’s major teaching and research universities and is a member of the Russel Group, the UK’s top 20 research-intensive universities.
The School is at the cutting edge of research on Europe, and has become one of the leading departments of its kind in the UK. Postgraduate Research is organised around multi-disciplinary Research Units and Centres. We have an excellent research reputation, arriving in second position in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise according to the Research Power index, building upon the success of ranking 5th in the 2001 RAE. Great attention is paid to providing postgraduate students with the facilities and supervision which the successful completion of postgraduate research requires.
- What does Cardiff offer in terms of support?
Pastoral Care
The University Advice and Guidance service is free, impartial, non judgemental and confidential. It offers advice, help and support to students, applicants, parents and others, on a wide range of personal, financial/debt and academic matters. The Student Support Centre has a range of services dedicated to helping you to make the most of student life, with staff on hand to offer confidential advice and support. Counselling can also be provided. For students looking after a young family, the day care centre provides créche facilities for children aged 10 weeks to 5 years and is open 8am to 6pm, Monday-Friday most of the year. Furthermore our School offers a very supportive and welcoming environment where the emphasis is on pastoral care.
English Language Programmes
The University offers the following courses to help students improve their general English language skills, as well as the skills needed for British academic study.
- Fostering an intellectually stimulating environment
- Providing a comprehensive skills development programme
- Providing information and guidance based on the University’s Code of Practice for Research Degrees
- Developing the services and facilities for PGRs
- Can I continue to pursue my sporting and other interests?
Yes. Our School does not schedule classes on the Wednesday afternoon and will give due consideration to all requests for absences related to competitive sporting commitments. The University combines extensive facilities and a diverse range of sports clubs in order to offer students to pursue recreational and sporting interests.Life
After Cardiff
- What do EUROP students do after University?
Careers include teaching, universities, civil service/ Foreign Office, European Commission, journalism, business, politics, NGOs. Our alumni include Hugh Edwards (BBC), Neil Bentley (CBI), Leri Edwards (European Commission) etc. - How can studying at Cardiff help me to get a good job?
Cardiff University is a Russell Group University (i.e. one of the top 20). That fact is recognized by employers who value degrees at Cardiff.
According to the Careers Centre, Students within EUROP are generally vocationally mature and engage well with the Careers Guidance process. The most prized employability skills arising from languages courses were documented as:
- near native competence in written and spoken language
- cultural awareness
- self management
- problem solving
- research and analysis, particularly amongst those opting to choose a dissertation
- application of IT, general proficiency in IT plus web and computer assisted language learning
- business and customer awareness, particularly amongst those opting for practical business models
Politics students at Cardiff are generally highly motivated individuals who engage well with the Careers Guidance process. The most prized employability skills arising from Politics courses were documented as:
- research and analysis
- highest level communication skills
- strong presentation skills
- cultural awareness
- self management
- team working skills
- application of IT for the retrieval, analysis and presentation of information
- problem solving skills, applying theory to practical issues
- numeracy, using statistical data to develop an informed and reasoned argument.
Tuition Fees
- What are tuition fees for 2012/13?
Postgraduate Research
Home/EU Fees (per annum): £3,844*
International Fees (per annum): £11,900 *
Provisional and subject to confirmation by the RCUK in April/May
Postgraduate Taught
Home/EU Fees (per annum): £4,950
International Fees (per annum): £11,900
If in doubt, the students will need to contact the finance division directly at fees@cardiff.ac.uk - What funding is available?
Information on School funding opportunities, also on the University funding pages
