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Admissions regulations, policies, and procedures

It is our mission to pursue research, learning, and teaching of international distinction and impact.

All of the University’s activities are directed to achieving the highest international standards in research, learning, and teaching, pursued in a rich and varied research-led environment where all staff and students can achieve their full potential to the benefit of the wider community and society as a whole.

Principles

The University’s admissions process is founded on the following principles:

  • fairness
  • transparency
  • professionalism
  • accessibility for applicants and their advisors
  • consistent application of policy and procedure

We are committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all of our practices and activities, including those relating to student recruitment, selection, and admission.

We will not discriminate against or victimise a person because of a protected characteristic in relation to:

  • the arrangements we make for deciding who is offered admission as a student
  • the terms on which we offer to admit the person as a student
  • not admitting the person as a student
  • not harassing a person who has applied for admission as a student

This covers everything from course design and setting admission requirements to the information we provide about the institution and the course and the application and admissions process.

We're committed to the highest standards of ethics and conduct in our administration, organisational policy, and behaviour, and to open, effective, and efficient communication in compliance with consumer law.

Our Admissions regulations, policies, and procedures outline the University’s admissions process for applicants and their representatives and support the work of admissions staff in achieving the University’s mission.

Admissions regulations

Admissions regulations – variations and procedures

Complaints against applicant’s procedure: outlines the process for third parties to submit a complaint about an applicant’s behaviour.

Feedback, complaints and appeals procedure for applicants: explains how applicants can request feedback on an unsuccessful application and outlines the procedure for submitting a formal complaint or appeal regarding the University's admissions process or outcome.

Contextual admissions criteria and application: explains how the University admissions process takes into consideration an applicant’s individual circumstances and background when reviewing their application.

Criminal convictions policy, procedure, and guidance: explains the requirements for disclosing criminal convictions and how these are considered. The University recognises that education can be a key part of rehabilitation, and a criminal conviction does not automatically prevent enrolment.

Deposits for postgraduate programmes guidance (including refund policy): outlines who is required to pay a deposit for postgraduate taught programmes, including exemptions, and explains the criteria for refunds.

Determining an applicants’ fitness to practise and eligibility to pursue regulated programmes: explains the criteria and process for assessing whether an applicant meets the professional conduct and wellbeing requirements for entry onto a regulated programme.

Document verification procedure for applicants: explains the process for verifying applicant information and investigating concerns about false, incorrect, or misleading details.

English language requirements: details the English language proficiency requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, including academic standards and UKVI sponsorship requirements.

Extenuating circumstances policy and guidance for applicants: outlines the process for applicants to disclose and provide evidence of significant personal circumstances that have impacted their academic performance or ability to complete assessments.

Guiding principles of fee assessment: explains how the University determines an applicant’s tuition fee category and the process for requesting a reassessment.

High-performance sports programme admissions policy: explains how sporting achievements and academic performance are considered in the admissions process for high-performance athletes.

Interview and audition guidance: provides best practice guidelines for admissions interviews and auditions used to assess an applicant’s suitability for a programme.

Oversubscription policy for undergraduate programmes: explains how the University selects applicants for highly competitive undergraduate programmes with limited places, including in Dentistry, Healthcare Sciences, Medicine, and Optometry and Vision Sciences.

Period of relevance for previous academic qualifications: details the time limits for the relevance of academic qualifications when applying to the University.

Recognition of Prior Learning Policy (credit transfer and experiential): explains how applicants can apply for exemptions from parts of a programme based on prior learning or professional experience.

School of Dentistry - admissions policy for undergraduate programmes (2025 entry): provides detailed information on the undergraduate admissions process specific to the School of Dentistry, including selection criteria and interview procedures.

School of Healthcare Sciences - admissions policy for undergraduate programmes (2025 entry): outlines the admissions process and entry requirements for undergraduate programmes within the School of Healthcare Sciences.

School of Medicine - admissions policy for undergraduate programmes (2025 entry): explains the admissions process, selection criteria, and interview procedures for undergraduate entry to the School of Medicine.

Terms and conditions of offer: provides the official terms and conditions issued to applicants when they receive a formal offer of study.

Under 18s policy: explains the University's process for admitting students who will be under 18 at the start of their programme and the support available.

Data protection notice for students and applicants: explains how the University collects, uses, and protects the personal information of applicants and students.

Safeguarding children and adults at risk policy and procedures: outlines the University’s legal and ethical responsibilities to safeguard children and ‘at risk’ adults who come into contact with the University community, and the staff working with children and ‘at risk’ adults to ensure there are clear guidelines and procedures for identifying risk and reporting concerns.

Welsh Language Standards: details the University’s commitment to promoting and supporting the Welsh language in line with the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011.

We welcome applications from all appropriately qualified students and consider a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our programmes, including vocational, overseas, and other equivalent qualifications. Professional experience may also be considered for entry on a case-by-case basis.

Our online course finder will provide you with information on our standard entry requirements for each programme and typical offers for each degree programme.

The entry requirements on the course information pages is typically specified in terms of UK qualifications. This is not because they are the only qualifications that we will accept but because they are the qualifications most frequently searched. We also accept a variety of other UK qualifications.

For applicants with international or overseas qualifications, we will apply an appropriate equivalency. This should be used as a general guide.

Where a qualification you are taking is not listed, please do not hesitate to contact the admissions team who will be able to provide you with advice and guidance on whether the qualification you are studying/have studied is suitable for direct entry onto your chosen programme and, where possible, typical entry requirements for that qualification.

It is the University’s aim to recruit and admit students who have the potential to, and who are most able to benefit from, the University’s learning, teaching, and research environment, regardless of background.

The University supports a range of activities and initiatives aimed at widening access and fostering the University’s inclusive culture, as identified in the University’s widening participation strategy. This strategy aims to address the recruitment, retention, and progression of students from a wide variety of groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education.

The University also operates a contextual admissions process for undergraduate UK applicants to identify those who are most likely to have experienced barriers to participation in higher education.

Through Together at Cardiff, we help those who are care experienced, estranged, military experienced, carers, and asylum seekers by providing advice and support in the application process, as a student, and after university.

Dedicated support services are also available for those who have personal circumstances that are likely to impact their decision to apply to university.

Admissions team