Cardiff University has two campuses within the city, Cathay Park and Heath Park. Cardiff University is known to be an ambitious and innovative university with a bold and strategic vision located in a beautiful and thriving capital city. With world-leading research ranking 5th amongst UK universities and 2nd on its impact in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework for quality.

Cardiff provides an educationally outstanding experience for students. With more than 30,000 students and over 7,000 international students, Cardiff is the 8th largest university in the UK in terms of student numbers.

The University’s Students’ Union is rated 3rd in the UK according to the National Student Survey 2019. Every student enrolled at Cardiff University is automatically a member of Cardiff Students’ Union. Run by students for students, it offers an exciting programme of entertainment, diverse clubs and societies and a comprehensive range of welfare, advice and information services all aspects of student life within a purpose-built complex.

There are over  200 sports and society clubs available for students to get involved in, ranging from traditional sports (such as rugby and cricket) and course-based societies to the Harry Potter Society. The Students’ Union has plenty of options available to help fill your spare time and encourage you to try new things.

Cardiff is the capital and largest city in Wales and the tenth largest city in the United Kingdom. Its rich culture has a diverse range of influences from the Romans and Normans of antiquity to the industrial revolution and the coal industry – which transformed Cardiff from a small town into a thriving, international city.

Cardiff combines all the advantages of a compact, friendly and inexpensive location with the cultural and recreational facilities of a modern capital city. Cardiff University's campus sits within the city centre, with wide tree-lined avenues and elegant Portland stone buildings.

Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK). It is located in the southwest of the island of Great Britain, with a diverse landscape that includes 2,700km of coastline and mountainous regions. There is easy access from Wales to the rest of the UK as well as to mainland Europe via road, rail, sea and air. Cardiff, the capital of Wales, is only 2 hours from London by road or train.

Wales is home to roughly 5% of the UK's population, with an average population density of 148 people per square kilometre. In the main cities, such as Cardiff, the density is significantly higher, allowing you the luxury of experiencing big city life with easy access to the quiet countryside. Wales is a bilingual country, with both Welsh and English spoken throughout. You may be able to learn some Welsh during exchange, however no Welsh fluency is required to get by.

Wales has three National Parks which cover 20% of the country's land mass and five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Key industries in Wales include Advanced Materials and Manufacturing, the Creative Industries, Financial and Professional Services and Fintech, Energy and Environment, Food and Drink, Life Sciences, Tech and Tourism. Wales is one of the safest parts of the United Kingdom and crime rates continue to fall.

Did you know….?

During the summer solstice, you can experience nearly 17 hours of daylight at Aberystwyth. Wales is home to Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwll-llantysiliogogogoch, a town famous for its incredibly long name. The name means "The Church of St Mary in the hollow of the white hazel near the rapid whirlpool and the church of St Tysilio near a red cave". 50% of the world’s passengers fly on aircraft with wings made in Wales

All students must meet standard exchange selection criteria and any host institution restrictions.

GPA of 5.0 or higher required.

• UniSA official transcript
• Passport
• Evidence of English proficiency (if applicable)
• Academic reference
• Personal statement
• Online provisional module selection form

Students must take 60 credits per semester (minimum and maximum), which is equivalent to 18 UniSA units. Most modules at Cardiff are worth 10 or 20 credits.

Please see Cardiff University website for acceptable evidence of English language tests and required scores.

Find courses at Cardiff University

Cardiff University offers free airport pick up if you fly in from Heathrow, Bristol or Cardiff International Airport.

More information on other means of getting to the campus can be found here.

A limited number of on-campus residence is reserved for full semester exchange students. You can apply for University accommodation after you have accepted your offer to study at Cardiff University. 

More information on accommodation can be found here. If you would like further advice, please contact studyabroad@cardiff.ac.uk.

As an exchange partner with the University of South Australia, you do not have to pay tuition fees to Cardiff University, instead you will pay tuition as you would normally at UniSA. Travel and living expenses are at your own cost. The table below gives an indication of costs you will incur:  

More information can be found here.

You may be eligible to receive additional grants or scholarships to fund your experience. For more information please see the funding and scholarships website.

For students attending Cardiff in SP5 2023 or SP2 2024 Cardiff will be able to offer a bursary of £500. 

UniSA offers travel insurance as part of your exchange for up to 270 days (can be extended up to 365 days). For more information please see travel insurance website.  

Please click here to read the travel insurance policy. 

A list of Frequently Asked Questions can be found here. 

If you have any further questions about travel insurance, please contact the UniSA Insurance Office on 08 8302 1678. 

You can also find additional information on Cardiff University’s website here.