Cardiff Metropolitan University: International Fees, Scholarships & Guide

Cardiff Metropolitan University (Cardiff Met) is a public university in Cardiff, the capital of Wales, with campuses at Llandaff and Cyncoed. It is known for sport, art and design, management, health, food science, and education, and for applied, career-focused teaching. Its international fees are flat and moderate, and scholarships are automatic for eligible students. This guide covers official 2026/27 fees, scholarships, living in Cardiff, and the UK Graduate Route.

Quick facts snapshot

• Institution: Cardiff Metropolitan University, a public university in Cardiff, Wales
• Campuses: Llandaff and Cyncoed
• 2026/27 undergraduate fees (Cardiff Met): £16,000 a year for standard 3 to 4-year degrees and one-year top-ups
• Foundation plus health sciences: £17,000 in year one, then £16,000 a year
• 2026/27 postgraduate: master's £17,600; doctoral £17,600 a year; MBA £19,500; PGCE £14,000
• Undergraduate scholarship (reported): £2,500 off fees, considered automatically
• EU scholarship: reduces annual undergraduate fees from £16,000 to £9,790 for eligible EU nationals starting in September 2026

Rankings and reputation

Cardiff Met is a modern, teaching-focused university and is not highly ranked in global tables, but it is well known for sport and art and design. Judge it on course and outcomes.

Academics and signature programs

Cardiff Met's five schools cover art and design, education and social policy, management, sport and health sciences, and technologies. Courses include sport science, coaching, physiotherapy, nutrition, food science, fine art, product design, business, accounting, computing, and education. Ask about placements and accreditation.

Admissions and international eligibility

Cardiff Met assesses academic results and English. After an offer, you pay the deposit in your offer letter, receive a CAS, and apply for a Student visa.

English language requirements

• IELTS 6.0 is common for undergraduate courses; check your course
• Postgraduate and health courses may require higher scores
• Pre-sessional English may be available
• Confirm requirements before applying

Application checklist

A typical application includes transcripts, English results, a personal statement, references, and passport details, and a portfolio for art and design courses.

Tuition, living costs, and scholarships

Cardiff Met lists 2026/27 international fees of £16,000 a year for undergraduate degrees and top-ups, £17,600 for master's, £19,500 for the MBA, and £14,000 for the PGCE. Foundation plus health sciences costs £17,000 in year one. A tuition fee deposit is required, as stated in your offer letter. Add the Immigration Health Surcharge and living costs.

Estimated living costs

• Cardiff has lower living costs than London and many English cities
• UK Student visa applicants must show funds for tuition and a monthly living amount outside London
• The Immigration Health Surcharge gives access to the NHS
• Term-time work is limited to 20 hours a week for most degree-level students
• Trains connect Cardiff with Bristol in under an hour and London in about two hours

Scholarships

Cardiff Met considers international students for scholarships automatically, with an undergraduate scholarship reported at £2,500 off fees. A separate scholarship reduces undergraduate fees to £9,790 a year for eligible EU nationals. Check current terms.

Campus life and student support

The Llandaff campus houses art and design, management, and health, and the Cyncoed campus is known for sport, with the National Indoor Athletics Centre and extensive sports facilities.

Career outcomes and post-study work rights

Cardiff's economy includes public services, media, creative industries, finance, and sport. Cardiff Met emphasises employability. Ask for outcomes for international graduates.

The UK's Graduate Route visa

International graduates of an eligible UK degree from an approved provider can currently apply for the Graduate Route, which allows them to work or look for work at any skill level for two years, or three years after a doctorate, without a sponsor. For non-doctoral applications made on or after 1 January 2027, the period is set to reduce to 18 months. Confirm in writing that graduates of your course and campus are eligible, and check the rules with the UK government before relying on the route.

Sport at Cardiff Met

Cardiff Met is one of the UK's leading universities for sport, with courses in sport science, coaching, physical education, and sport management, and high-performance facilities at Cyncoed. Many students play in competitive teams.

Cardiff School of Art and Design

The Cardiff School of Art and Design offers fine art, ceramics, product design, graphic communication, illustration, and architecture-related courses, with studios and workshops at Llandaff.

Living in Cardiff

Cardiff is a compact capital city with parks, a castle, Cardiff Bay, and a lively sports and music scene. Rents are lower than London's. The city is walkable and cyclable.

Planning your arrival

Arrive before welcome week, collect your visa documents as instructed, register with a GP, set up a UK bank account, and attend induction events. Welcome activities help international students settle in and meet classmates.

A step-by-step checklist before paying

Confirm the deposit in your offer letter, check scholarship eligibility, confirm English requirements, arrange accommodation, and read the refund policy.

Questions for current students

If possible, speak with current Cardiff Met students about teaching, sport facilities, accommodation, and part-time work. Their experience can help you judge whether it suits you and what to budget for in the first year.

Health insurance and pre-arrival preparation

Most international students pay the Immigration Health Surcharge with their visa application and register with a local general practitioner after arrival. Budget for the visa fee, the surcharge, flights, and a housing deposit, and book accommodation early.

What to expect in your first months

The first weeks involve orientation, enrolment, and meetings with your tutors. UK teaching relies on independent reading alongside lectures and seminars, so a steady study routine helps.

A realistic budget

At £16,000 a year minus a £2,500 scholarship, a three-year degree could cost about £45,500 in tuition, plus living costs of about £10,000 to £12,000 a year.

Questions to ask before you accept an offer

• What deposit do I need to pay?
• Will I receive the undergraduate scholarship?
• Which campus will I study at?
• Does my course include a placement?
• What English score do I need?
• Will my course qualify for the Graduate Route?

Who Cardiff Met suits best

Cardiff Met suits students who want an affordable, practical university in a lively capital city, especially for sport, art and design, and business. It may suit less well students who want a research-intensive university.

Cardiff Met compared with other Welsh universities

Cardiff University is a research-intensive Russell Group university with higher fees. Cardiff Met offers flat, moderate fees and applied courses. Compare course, fees, and setting.

Step-by-step application roadmap

1. Choose your course and campus, and check the fee and entry requirements.
2. Confirm the English requirement and book a test if needed.
3. Apply with transcripts, a personal statement, and passport details.
4. Accept your offer, pay any required deposit, and receive your CAS.
5. Apply for your UK Student visa with your financial evidence.
6. Book accommodation and attend orientation.

Preparing your documents early

Gather transcripts, English results, references, and bank statements several months before your intake, and arrange certified translations if needed. CAS issuance and visa processing can take longer than expected, so keep copies.

Health and food science

Cardiff Met offers health sciences, including physiotherapy-related, nutrition, dietetics, and biomedical courses, and food science and technology with industry links. Some health courses have limited international places and higher entry requirements.

Management and computing

Cardiff School of Management offers business, accounting, marketing, events, tourism, and hospitality, and the School of Technologies offers computing, cyber security, and product design. Ask about placements.

Building a realistic budget

Budget for tuition after scholarships, the Immigration Health Surcharge, accommodation, food, transport, and course materials. Cardiff is one of the more affordable UK capitals.

Key takeaway

Cardiff Met offers flat, moderate fees and automatic scholarships in a lively capital city.

Support for international students

Cardiff Met's international team helps with CAS, visas, orientation, and settling in, and the university offers academic skills, careers, and wellbeing support.

Who should look elsewhere

Students who want a research-intensive Russell Group university should compare Cardiff University, which has higher fees and entry requirements.

Comparing total costs

To compare Cardiff Met with other UK universities, multiply annual fees by course length, subtract scholarships, and add living costs. Cardiff Met's flat £16,000 fee and Cardiff's moderate costs make it competitive.

Postgraduate study

Cardiff Met's taught master's degrees cost £17,600 in 2026/27, with the MBA at £19,500. Popular areas include sport, management, art and design, and health. Ask about January starts and scholarships.

Final checks before you apply

Confirm the deposit amount in your offer letter and whether your scholarship is applied automatically to your first invoice.

Frequently asked questions