Study at Cardiff | Undergraduate

Wales

Tuition fees

From 2012, Government funding of higher education is changing. Consequently, Cardiff University will charge a tuition fee of £9,000 per annum to new undergraduate students beginning their studies from September 2012 onwards. This will ensure that the University’s high-calibre research-led teaching is protected, and the vibrant student experience enjoyed by our students will be maintained and continually improved.

Tuition fee funding

Students from Wales can apply for a (repayable) tuition fee loan of up to £3,575 per year to cover the initial tuition fee cost (subject to terms and conditions). This loan only has to be repaid after you finish your studies and earn a salary in excess of £21,000p/a. You may also be eligible for a (non repayable) Welsh Government tuition fee grant of up to £5,425, subject to terms and conditions, to cover the remaining tuition fee balance.

Funding for living costs for Welsh domiciled students 

You can apply for a Maintenance Loan to help with your living costs. What you receive will depend on your personal circumstances. The maximum amounts available for new students starting university entry 2013/14 are:

The amount of Maintenance Loan you receive depends on your household income and any grant you receive.

Living cost grants

If you’re a full-time student, you could qualify to receive a (non repayable) grant towards your living costs called The Assembly Learning Grant. The amount you receive depends upon your household income.

For entry 2013/14, new students could be entitled to:

• the maximum grant of £5,161 a year, if your household income is £18,370 or less
• a partial grant if your household income is between £18,370 and £50,020

Repaying the loans

• You become liable to repay in the April after you leave your course, but you only have to repay if you earn over £21,000.
• Your monthly repayment will be based on what you earn, not how much you borrowed.

Interest on your loans

• You’re charged interest on your loan from the time you get your first payment in university until you pay your loan back in full.
• The amount of interest you’re charged varies (see table). The actual interest rates depend on the rate of inflation.

How much are the repayments?

• You repay your loans back at a rate of nine per cent of your income over £21,000. So if your salary is £25,000 a year, you pay nine per cent of £4,000, which is £30 a month.

• Repayments will normally be deducted from your salary through the tax system.
• You can also make voluntary repayments.