Cardiff University Scholarships for International Students: Complete Guide 2025/26
Introduction
Cardiff University, one of the UK’s leading research-intensive universities, offers various scholarships and funding schemes for international students. These scholarships help reduce tuition fee burdens for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. Whether you’re from India, Pakistan, or elsewhere, this guide shows what scholarships are available, eligibility rules, how to apply, and insider tips to increase your chance of success.
Why Choose Cardiff University + Scholarship Support
- Strong academic reputation, international ranking, and diverse student community.
- Scholarships often automatically applied or require minimal additional application steps.
- Funding can significantly reduce cost for high-achieving students or those from specific countries.
- Additional discounts (e.g. for alumni) strengthen value for previous students or graduates.
Major Scholarships & Funding Options at Cardiff University
Here are key scholarship types currently on offer:
| Scholarship / Discount | What It Offers | Who Qualifies | Key Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship 2025 | Tuition fee discount between £3,500 to £10,000 for eligible postgraduate-taught students. Cardiff University | International applicants for selected postgraduate taught programmes, Sept 2025 or Jan 2026 entry. Cardiff University | Must accept the course offer and pay deposit by specified deadline; meet conditions (including English language). Cardiff University |
| Cardiff India Scholarship (£5,000) | £5,000 off tuition for Indian students. Cardiff University+1 | India-domiciled students on specific postgraduate programmes beginning Sep 2025 / Jan 2026. Cardiff University+1 | No separate application required: eligible students with offers and meeting criteria automatically receive it. Accept deposit & meet offer conditions by deadlines. Cardiff University+1 |
| Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship | Half-fee for first three years of eligible undergraduate programmes. Cardiff University+2Cardiff University+2 | Self-funded international students with strong academic record (e.g. AAB at A-levels or equivalent), who hold offers for eligible UG programmes for autumn 2025. Cardiff University+1 | Must apply by the scholarship deadline, confirm Cardiff as firm choice via UCAS, meet all offer & English requirements. Scholarship is a tuition fee discount, not cash. Cardiff University |
| GREAT Scholarships | £10,000 toward tuition fees for one-year postgraduate programmes. Cardiff University+2Cardiff University+2 | Students from eligible countries (e.g. Pakistan, Mexico, etc.) entering postgraduate taught programmes for 2025/26. Cardiff University+2Cardiff University+2 | Application deadline; must hold offer; scholarship applied to first year only. Cardiff University |
| Alumni Discount | 20% reduction in tuition fees on eligible master’s programmes. Cardiff University+1 | Cardiff University graduates (undergrad degree or certain credit-bearing qualification) progressing to eligible master’s. Applies to home, international, and European students. Cardiff University+1 | Discount is automatic for eligible students; cannot combine with certain other funding beyond limits; check whether your course is eligible. Cardiff University |
Eligibility: What You Need to Qualify
To benefit from Cardiff University’s international scholarships, you generally need to meet:
- International fee status for tuition. Cardiff University+1
- Be self-financed, not receiving non-repayable external funding. Cardiff University+1
- Hold a valid offer (conditional or unconditional) for an eligible UK programme (UG or PG) at Cardiff. Cardiff University+2Cardiff University+2
- Meet academic criteria (grades, qualifications) and English proficiency. Cardiff University+2Cardiff University+2
- Accept the offer & pay any required deposit by the scholarship deadline. Cardiff University+2Cardiff University+2
- Sometimes country or programme restrictions (only certain countries or courses eligible). Cardiff University+1
How to Apply & Obtain the Scholarship
- Choose your course and ensure it is eligible for any scholarship you may want.
- Submit your course application before admission deadlines.
- For some scholarships (e.g. Undergraduate Excellence, GREAT), you may need to complete a separate scholarship application form. For others, no extra form needed — admission + meeting conditions is enough. Cardiff University+2Cardiff University+2
- Accept your offer in time and pay deposit as required. Missing deadlines usually disqualifies you. Cardiff University+2Cardiff University+2
- Ensure all conditions (academic, English, domicile etc.) are met before the cutoff date. Cardiff University+1
Scholarship Values & What They Mean Financially
- The Vice-Chancellor’s International Scholarship can reduce tuition by up to £10,000 for postgraduate study. Cardiff University
- The GREAT Scholarship offers £10,000 for eligible postgraduate students from certain countries. Cardiff University+1
- The India Scholarship gives £5,000 off first year tuition for eligible Indian students. Cardiff University+1
- The Undergraduate Excellence Scholarship gives a half-fee tuition discount for the first three years. That’s a 50% reduction in fees. Cardiff University+1
- Alumni Discount = 20% off tuition fees for qualifying master’s programmes. Cardiff University+1
Tips to Maximise Your Chances
- Apply early — before scholarship deadlines. Delays may cost eligibility.
- Maintain strong grades in your pre-university or bachelor’s degree; ensure your academic qualifications meet or exceed the specified criteria.
- Meet or exceed English language requirements. Don’t leave proof of English till last minute.
- Choose eligible programmes: check whether your intended course is included in scholarship lists.
- Pay required deposits on time. Even if you meet all academic criteria, missing deposit deadlines may void the scholarship.
- Ensure you are self-funded (or at least not receiving non-repayable external scholarship); know the definitions.
- For country-specific scholarships, ensure you are “domiciled” or meet the residency / documentation criteria.
Common Pitfalls & Things to Watch
- Scholarships are tuition fee discounts, not cash grants. They won’t cover living costs unless otherwise stated.
- If you defer entry, eligibility often doesn’t transfer to later years. Confirm with Cardiff. Cardiff University+1
- Some programmes are excluded; not all master’s or undergraduate courses are eligible for every scholarship.
- External funding or sponsorship (non-repayable) often disqualifies you from being “self-funded”.
- Deadlines are strict; missing the date means you might lose the opportunity.
Example Case: Pakistan Student Applying for Cardiff
- As a Pakistani international student, you may be eligible for the GREAT Scholarship (if Pakistan is among eligible countries for that year). Cardiff University+1
- Also, if your academic qualifications are strong (e.g. local equivalent of AAB or higher, or strong bachelor’s grades for master’s) you can apply for Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship or programme-specific awards.
- You’ll need to ensure you accept your offer, pay deposit in time, and meet English language criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| Q | A |
|---|---|
| Do I need to submit a separate scholarship application? | Sometimes yes (e.g. Undergraduate Excellence, GREAT). Other scholarships are automatic when you meet criteria. Check the specific scholarship page. Cardiff University+1 |
| Can I combine scholarships or discounts? | Often there are rules limiting combinations. E.g. alumni discount may have a cap if combined with other awards. Cardiff University+1 |
| What happens if I defer entry? | Usually scholarships are only valid for the year for which they were advertised. Deferred entries may lose eligibility. Cardiff University+1 |
| Is the scholarship enough to cover visa / living costs? | No — most are tuition fee reductions only. You’ll need separate funding for living, visa, travel etc. |
Conclusion
Cardiff University offers a strong range of scholarships and fee discounts for international students — including large-value awards like the GREAT Scholarships, Vice-Chancellor’s awards, and country-specific ones like the India Scholarship. To benefit most:
- Check whether your country is eligible
- Apply on time & accept offers & pay deposits as required
- Meet academic & English criteria
- Ensure you are self-funded if that is a requirement
With good preparation, these scholarships can significantly reduce the cost of studying at Cardiff and make your international university dream more attainable.
