Applications
Applicants will normally be expected to hold a UK higher education degree of lower second class Honours or above, or a qualification recognised by the University as equivalent. This requirement may be waived for students with appropriate alternative qualifications.
In addition, applicants whose first language is not English must obtain a British Council IELTS score of at least 7.0 (with a minimum subscore of 6.0 in each component), or an equivalent English language qualification. However, applicants with an IELTS score of 6.5 (with a minimum subscore of 6.0 in each component) will be considered provided they undertake and successfully complete the University’s eight-week pre-sessional English course. This requirement may be waived if the applicant can furnish sufficient evidence that they are suitably proficient in the use of English.
For more information, please refer to the International Development Division web pages, or alternatively contact: Ms Hannah Quinn, English Language Programmes Office, e-mail: elt@cardiff.ac.uk
We continue to support you with your English and study skills once you finish your pre-sessional course and begin your academic studies - this is called in-sessional support.
IT Requirements
On all MA courses, students will use computers for:
- Research;
- Communication with academic staff and fellow students, and;
- Completion of assignments and dissertations.
It is, therefore, essential that students are able to use internet browsers, email and word processing software.
Application Deadline
The MA programmes do not have a fixed closing date for applications; we simply stop considering applications once the courses are full. Once a course is no longer accepting applications, this will be indicated on the postgraduate web-pages. It is advisable to submit your application form as early as possible in the academic year, particularly if you are applying for sponsorship, studentships, or scholarships. If you are worried about applying in time please do not hesitate to contact the Administrative Assistant who will be happy to help you.
Application Forms accompany the University’s Postgraduate Prospectus and the School’s Postgraduate Brochure.
Applications for any of the MA programmes should be typed or clearly hand-written, making every effort to complete each section. You will need to complete/provide the following:
- Two copies of the university application form ‘Application for Admission as a Postgraduate Student’ signed by hand.
- Two references, (either use the referee report forms, or ask your referees to write letters in their own style).
- A photocopy of your degree certificate (if you have already graduated).
- A photocopy of your transcript of studies (overseas universities), translated, where necessary, into English.
- Where relevant you should also supply a photocopy of any letters indicating that you have secured financial support for your studies (typically from overseas governments or universities, or from industrial/commercial organisations).
Contact
All Applications for Admission to Postgraduate Study must be directed to the University's Postgraduate Registry. Please visit the Apply section of Cardiff University's website for information.
Your application will be acknowledged as soon as it is received by Registry. It will then be forwarded to the designated Admissions Tutor for the programme of your choice. Students will receive confirmation of the outcome of their application via Registry, once the School has made their decision. The School aims to deal with applications as quickly and efficiently as possible.
However, applicants are reminded that:
- We deal with huge numbers of applications for these very popular courses;
- Overseas applications can sometimes take a long time to arrive;
- It sometimes takes time to check whether or not your qualifications are acceptable to the University.