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New students

Uniform

Last updated: 11/08/2025 09:27

Learn about your uniform and when you’ll collect it.

Your clinical uniform is an important part of your professional identity during placements. Here's what you need to know before you arrive.

Who pays for the uniform

If you're an overseas, EU, or Channel Islands student, or you're self-funded or funded by your Local Education Authority, you’ll be responsible for the full cost of your clinical uniform throughout your course.

Each healthcare programme has its own uniform requirements, so what you wear may vary depending on your course.

Fittings

These usually take place during your first week of term. Check your first-week timetable for details on when and where your fitting will happen.

Uniform details

Uniform for clinical placement:

  • lilac Cardiff University tunic
  • purple Cardiff University trousers
  • suitable and comfortable shoes from a supplier of your choice
  • what you wear should be in alignment with the All Wales NHS Dress Code

Midwifery specific equipment

A watch with a second hand.

Uniform for clinical placement:

  • purple Cardiff University tunic
  • purple Cardiff University trousers
  • suitable and comfortable shoes from a supplier of your choice
  • what you wear should be in alignment with the All Wales NHS Dress Code

Uniform for clinical placement:

  • white Cardiff University polo shirt
  • white Cardiff University tunic
  • green Cardiff University trousers
  • black or navy flat-heeled shoes (not boots) from a supplier of your choice
  • what you wear should be in alignment with the All Wales NHS Dress Code

Uniform for clinical placement:

  • light grey Cardiff University scrub tunic with dark grey scrub trousers
  • black trainers/shoes (not boots) from a supplier of your choice
  • what you wear should be in alignment with the All Wales NHS Dress Code

Clinical placement

Uniform for clinical placement:

  • white Cardiff University polo shirt
  • navy Cardiff University trousers
  • navy or black flat lace-up shoes (not boots) from a supplier of your choice
  • navy or black plain appropriate swimwear/attire for hydrotherapy practical sessions from a supplier of your choice
  • what you wear should be in alignment with the All Wales NHS Dress Code

Practical classes

In your practical classes, you’ll work in pairs/small groups to develop the skills necessary for doing the job. This includes taking turns in the role of clinician and patient/model as part of peer learning so you’ll need to be appropriately dressed. In practical classes, students must wear non-fitted clothing that can be rolled up/removed easily while maintaining dignity and modesty. It’s suggested you wear:

  • plain t-shirt/polo shirt
  • loose fitting shorts
  • training shoes (that can be secured, no slip-ons/sliders)
  • tracksuit bottoms and a jumper/sweatshirt for moving around the building or travelling to and from class

You may wear a vest top or appropriate underwear during sessions to maintain dignity. Privacy screens will be available as whenever needed.

For some classes which involve a formal clinical simulation activity, you’ll be expected to wear the uniform provided in the first few weeks of term. You’ll be informed in advance whenever uniform is required, so you’ll have time to prepare.

To maintain hygiene and safety during practical and clinical sessions all jewellery must be removed and fingernails must be short and unpainted.

Physiotherapy specific equipment

Equipment is provided for use in the classroom however, you may want to buy items to supplement your learning outside of the timetabled sessions:

  • 8" goniometer – 8" long-armed protractor used to measure joints/joint angles
  • tape measure – for measuring leg length, chest expansion
  • marking pencil – useful for marking joint lines, the course of nerves and other anatomical features; an eyebrow pencil is usually acceptable
  • pack of face paint crayons – useful for drawing muscles during surface anatomy practical classes

Uniform for clinical placement:

  • light grey scrub tunic with black scrub trousers from Cardiff University
  • black or navy flat-heeled shoes (not boots) from a supplier of your choice
  • what you wear should be in alignment with the All Wales NHS Dress Code

Uniform for clinical placement and anatomy centre in Years 1 and 2:

  • smart attire, bare below the elbow and covered to the knee.
  • comfortable shoes
  • what you wear should be in alignment with the All Wales NHS Dress Code

Uniform for clinical placement in Years 3 to 5:

  • grey scrubs from the supplier (details will be made available on Learning Central).

Stethoscope

You may wish to have your own stethoscope to practice clinical skills.

We can provide stethoscopes as a piece of clinical equipment in clinical skills practicals held in Clinical Skills Suites, but stethoscopes are not loaned to students.

You will need your own stethoscope in Years 3 to 5.

We recommend the 3MTM Littmann® Classic IIITM Monitoring Stethoscopes.  To help avoid mix-ups, we strongly suggest personalising your stethoscopes – for example having your name engraved. This is a free service offered by Williams Medical and other suppliers may offer similar options.

  • blue Cardiff University tunic
  • blue Cardiff University trousers
  • suitable and comfortable shoes from a supplier of your choice