Run with Study Group, the International Study Centre prepares students who don't yet meet Cardiff University's direct entry grades. Teaching happens in Cathays, a few minutes from the university's white stone buildings around Cathays Park. There's a foundation year for undergraduate entry and a pre-master's for graduates, both mixing subject study with academic English. Cardiff is a Russell Group university, so progression grades are set fairly high.
Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Official website: isc.cardiff.ac.uk
Pathway centre run with Study Group
Cardiff University (Russell Group)
Cathays, Cardiff
£19,000 – £25,000
International students, pathway programmes, per year
£11,000 – £14,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on isc.cardiff.ac.uk before you apply.
International Foundation Year (Business, Law and Social Sciences)
FoundationDuration
9 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.0, TOEFL: 55
International Foundation Year (Engineering and Physical Sciences)
FoundationDuration
9 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.0, TOEFL: 55
International Foundation Year (Life Sciences)
FoundationDuration
9 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.0, TOEFL: 55
Pre-Master's Programme (Business and Management)
Pre-MastersDuration
6 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 60
Pre-Master's Programme (Engineering)
Pre-MastersDuration
6 Months
Intake
Sep, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 5.5, TOEFL: 60
A route into a Russell Group university for students without direct-entry grades.
Small classes with English built into every week.
Access to Cardiff University's library and students' union.
Students who reach the progression grades continue onto a Cardiff University degree.
Cardiff's business, engineering and law schools are frequent destinations.
Cardiff graduates can stay in the UK for two years on the Graduate visa.
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Undergrad
Rolling
Postgrad
Rolling
Cathays is the student district, packed with terraced houses, cafés and takeaways. Bute Park and the River Taff are a short walk away, and so is Cardiff Castle.
The Welsh capital is compact and cheaper than most UK cities of its size. Cardiff Bay has the waterfront and the Senedd, and London is about two hours by train.
CAS from Cardiff University
Proof of funds for fees and living costs
English test at B2 level or above
TB test certificate, if required
Immigration Health Surcharge payment
Valid passport with blank pages
Applications are open all year, but places are limited for each intake. Apply three to four months ahead so the CAS and visa are done in time.
Foundation and pre-master's courses start in September and January. Longer or shorter versions exist for some subjects depending on your English level.
The Student route visa. Your CAS comes from Cardiff University after you meet your offer conditions and pay the deposit; the online application needs proof of funds, your English result and the health surcharge.
Business, engineering and life sciences foundations are popular, along with the business and engineering pre-master's. The foundation needs good secondary school grades and IELTS about 5.0; the pre-master's needs a bachelor's degree and IELTS 5.5.
Study Group runs scholarships on pathway fees, which change each year. Cardiff University also has international scholarships for the degree you progress to, so check its funding pages too.
