Cardiff University

Postgraduate study at Cardiff

As one of Britain's leading universities, Cardiff University is a hub for postgraduates from throughout the UK, the European Union and the rest of the world. Our thriving postgraduate community currently numbers over 8,000 students - some 28% of the University's total student body. We offer a variety of postgraduate programmes, including more than 200 taught courses and over 140 research areas.

To learn more about postgraduate study at Cardiff, please visit our website: www.cardiff.ac.uk/postgraduate

Outstanding research and research-led teaching

Cardiff is internationally recognised as one of Britain's top teaching and research universities. The University is also a member of the Russell Group, made up of the UK's top 20 research-intensive universities. The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise, an evaluation conducted by a panel of UK Research Councils every five years, rated research undertaken at Cardiff University as 'world-leading'. In addition to its considerable benefit to society and academia at large, this research contributes significantly to high-quality teaching on all programmes within the institution. Find out more about teaching and research at Cardiff.

Postgraduate courses

Cardiff University offers a variety of research and taught postgraduate programmes, including more than 200 taught courses (full and part-time taught Master's degrees, postgraduate diplomas and certificate courses); 140 research degrees (MPhils and PhDs); a number of Professional Doctorates and an array of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and adult education courses.

An attractive, convenient location

The University's main campus is located in and around Cardiff's magnificent civic centre. Portland stone academic buildings, a variety of student residences, the Students' Union and the Graduate Centre are all within a short walk of the city centre, saving you time and money on travel. Heath Park campus is located a short walk away and shares a site with the University Hospital of Wales, creating a multi-professional healthcare environment in which to develop your skills.

Capital city advantages

Both Cardiff University and the city of Cardiff offer wide-ranging opportunities for cultural, social and sporting activities, from contemporary film to dance and drama; from major concerts to high-profile sporting events. The city is compact, yet has a wide range of facilities to keep you entertained. Multi-screen cinemas, theatres, concert venues and many other arts facilities can be found within the city. In addition to the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Cardiff is also home to the National Dance Company Wales and the internationally renowned Welsh National Opera, all resident at the spectacular Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay. For those who enjoy shopping, the city is one of Britain's most successful retail centres. Glass-canopied Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades host independent boutiques, bookstores and record shops, and in 2010, Cardiff's £675m St. David's Centre won the International Shopping Centre of the Year Award.

Departments

Postgraduate opportunities are available in virtually all subject areas, including:

• Architecture
• Biosciences
• Business
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Creative Writing
• Dentistry
• Earth Sciences
• Education
• Engineering
• English Literature
• European Languages, Translation and Politics
• Finance
• Healthcare Studies
• History and Archaeology
• International Relations
• Journalism
• Law
• Language and Communication
• Mathematics
• Medicine
• Modern European Languages
• Music
• Nursing and Midwifery
• Optometry and Vision Sciences
• Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Philosophy
• Physics and Astronomy
• Planning and Geography
• Politics
• Psychology
• Public Relations
• Religious Studies
• Social Sciences
• Welsh

Information on all opportunities for postgraduate study at Cardiff can be accessed via our Course Finder database at www.cardiff.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgcoursefinder

Dedicated postgraduate facilities

The University has invested in a range of facilities tailored to meet postgraduate needs. Our dedicated Graduate Centre serves as a nucleus for the postgraduate community, providing taught and research students a retreat filled with top-quality academic and social facilities. The University Graduate College aims to foster an intellectually stimulating environment where students are encouraged to share and develop research interests with colleagues from other academic schools and to feel part of a wider research community.

A first-class study environment

In excess of £200 million has been invested in recent years to provide students with modern and well-equipped facilities that create a first-class environment in which to live and study. Postgraduates at Cardiff benefit from a variety of new and recently refurbished lecture theatres and laboratories, state-of-the-art resource centres and comfortable study areas throughout the University.

Funding

Each year, Cardiff University offers a range of funded, competitive studentships to support postgraduate study. These include our prestigious President's Research Scholarships, funding from the Research Councils, government and industrial partners, charities and trusts as well as alumni and other individuals. Awards range from partial or full tuition fee support to awards which include a stipend to help with living costs. Studentship criteria vary; for example, some are restricted to UK/EU applicants and others are open to applicants from across the globe.

Studentships are advertised as they become available throughout the academic year in our Funding and Scholarship Search at www.cardiff.ac.uk/searchforfunding. Information on new awards becomes available on a week-by-week basis, so for details of the latest studentships, check back regularly. Alternatively, you can keep up to date by joining us on Twitter or Facebook.

Research

Conducting research at postgraduate level is an exciting and rewarding opportunity to explore something in real depth and make new contributions to knowledge. Cardiff University offers students the facilities and support required to make a difference. Please visit our website for more information on research at Cardiff.

Apply

Applications for study at Cardiff are made through our Online Application Service. Please visit our website for more information on the application process, including English Language requirements, forms and information on writing a research proposal.

Student story

"Having undertaken my BSc at Cardiff, I chose to continue at the School of Planning and Geography on the MSc Sustainability, Planning and Environmental Policy. This Masters served to fulfil my keen interest in the environment and facilitate my career progression, with the aim of becoming a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute - the accredited body for Town Planners. Following my studies, I have gained a role with Savills as a Graduate Planner and hope to settle in Cardiff for the foreseeable future.

Cardiff has all the appeal of a large city, but in a more compact fashion. There are always cultural and sporting events happening, which make it a great place to live - both as a student and a young professional. During my studies I became a keen member of the Cardiff University Rambling and Hiking Club, which provided me with the opportunity to see a great deal of the countryside and mountains South Wales (and beyond) has to offer.

I have also taken the opportunity to extend my studies through the University's Centre for Lifelong Learning, where I will hopefully continue to learn, develop interests, and meet new people."

Rhys Govier
MSc Sustainability, Planning and Environmental Policy
Santander Scholar 11-12

Open days

Cardiff University's annual Postgraduate Open Day will take place on 28th November 2012 - please visit our website to find out more and to register for the event.

Contact details

To speak to a member of our dedicated postgraduate enquiries team, made up of current and former Cardiff postgraduates, please email postgradenquiries@cardiff.ac.uk or call +44 (0)2920 870084.

To speak to a member of the Admissions team, please email atutors@cardiff.ac.uk or call +44 (0)2920 879999.

To speak to a member of the Finance team, please email fees@cardiff.ac.uk or call +44 (0)2920 874399 or +44 (0)2920 879262.