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Wales Study Abroad Program at Cardiff University

About Cardiff University

Required GPA: 3.0 (4.0 scale)
Application deadlines: April 15 for fall (Sept-Dec) or full year (Sept-June)
October 15 for spring (Jan-June)
Program advisor: Chris Dixon

Program Snapshot

Sut Mae! We're so excited that you're preparing to study abroad on an IFSA-Butler program and have chosen the Cardiff University as your destination. You will find Cardiff to be a vibrant capital with plenty of entertainment and some of the friendliest people in the United Kingdom. We're sure you're going to love studying there!

There are just a few more forms to complete before your application is ready to be submitted to Cardiff University for an admissions decision.The forms can be found under the Forms tab.

What Cardiff has to offer

A truly Welsh experience at one of the U.K.'s leading research universities
Outstanding faculty, many prominent in their fields
A member of Britain's Russell Group of universities, similar to the Ivy League
A campus-based institution located in the heart of a city, unusual by U.K. standards
One of the most current library and computing systems in the U.K.
Excellent sporting facilities
An active student union with more than 100 student clubs and societies
Easy access to big-city amenities

Housing

Housing is with Welsh students and other international students in a wide range of residence types, from traditional halls with meal plans to modern flats in which students purchase or prepare their own meals
Nearly all offer housing has single study-bedrooms, and most have private showers

Academics

Academic Structure

Cardiff University is a semester or yearlong study abroad program. Students take a varied number of courses depending on course weight.

Courses

Where can I find a list of courses that the university offers?

Open the Cardiff University online course catalog.
In the middle of the page, click the "Online Course Catalog" link
Click on the blue heading "Study Abroad Module Catalogue"

What departments can I study in?

As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog (see above) include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course. You must take all courses for academic credit, and must complete all coursework and exams in order to obtain credit on the Butler University transcript.

For each course that you list on your preference form, be sure to check the following:

When determining which courses to take, please bear in mind that the Welch academic system is an intensive, three-year program.
- First-year (Level 1) courses are appropriate for departments in which you have little or no prior experience.
- Second-year (Level 2) courses will be equivalent to advanced sophomore or junior-level U.S. courses.
- Third-year (Level 3) courses will be equivalent to senior-level U.S. courses.
Please note that students wishing to study law must attend the university for the full academic year.

Course Registration

You must take a full course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A–F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.

You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

Credits

IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution. The number of courses you take depends on the credit value of the courses you select. For information on the credit weight, please consult see below.

10 module credits at Cardiff = 2.5 U.S. semester credit hours
20 module credits at Cardiff = 5 U.S. semester credit hours
30 module credits at Cardiff = 7.5 U.S. semester credit hours

Exams

What do I need to know about exams?
Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Please refer to your program calendar (located online at www.ifsa-butler.org) to review the exam period for your host university. Your host university's policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting an academic record query for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?
After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at the Cardiff University. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.

Academic Statement

As part of your application to Cardiff University, you are required to write an academic statement. A well-written academic statement can make the difference between an average application and an incredible one. The departments at Cardiff University admit applicants who are driven, motivated and prepared for an academically rigorous semester. Writing a strong academic statement will strengthen your application and help differentiate you from other applicants.

Your academic statement should be about 500 words and outline the reasons why you want to study at Cardiff University and the departments you've chosen. A statement can be especially useful for providing additional information which is not immediately apparent from your transcript and which is relevant to your course and departmental selection.

You should discuss your reasons for applying, preparation you've done to be academically suited to Cardiff University, and specific study and research interests that you intend to pursue while at Cardiff University. Mention a course you'd like to take at Cardiff University and discuss why it's important to you: Is it not available at your home university? Is it in an unusual or interesting subject area that would be inaccessible outside of the U.K.? Why will studying at Cardiff University broaden your academic horizons?

Your statement should also describe how and why a study abroad year/semester at Cardiff University will assist you in achieving your academic and professional goals. For example, if taking a specific music course offered at Cardiff University will round out your academic background for your application to graduate school, mention this.

You must complete and submit your academic statement along with the other forms included in this document. Your application is not considered complete until you have sent in an academic statement.

Housing

Housing Options

What are my housing options?

The following housing options are available during your semester or year abroad. Semester students are placed in one of the three following options:

Talybont North
- Talybont North is a self-catered complex that consists of 15 residential houses that are divided up into six-person flats. Each study bedroom is a single room with en-suite (private bathroom) facilities. Each flat has a communal kitchen/dining and a seating area. It is about a 20-minute walk to the main campus area.
Talybont South
- Talybont South is a self-catered complex that consists of 27 houses that are divided up into flats for four, six or eight students. Each student has a single bedroom with en-suite (private bathroom) facilities. Each flat has a communal kitchen/dining room that are shared with the other students living in the flat. It is about a 20-minute walk to the main campus area.
University Hall
- University Hall is a self-catered facility that offers single-study bedrooms that are ensuite and have a communal kitchen/dining room shared between six and 15 students. University Hall is less than two miles from the main campus area, and the university has a bus service operating between the complex. This service operates throughout the day Monday to Friday.

The residences available for year students include those listed above, as well as the options below:

Aberconway Hall
- Aberconway Hall is a self-catered hall that consists of flats that accommodate between three and six students in single-study bedrooms. There is a shared bathroom between each pair of single-study bedrooms in most flats. All flats have kitchen/dining room that is shared between the occupants. Aberconway Hall is within walking distance of the main campus area.
Aberdare Hall
- Aberdare Hall provides both catered and self-catered single-study bedrooms and is located on the main campus at Cardiff University. During term-time, the catered option provides breakfast and an evening meal daily, with some variation on weekends. Students share bathrooms and there is a common room for hall residents. Aberdare Hall is located on the main campus of Cardiff University.
Allensbank House
- Allensbank House is a self-catered hall and consists of single-study bedrooms. The single bedrooms are en-suite (private bathroom) and grouped together in flats of four to seven students with a shared kitchen/dining/living area. Allensbank House is within walking distance of the main campus area.
Cartwright Court
- Cartwright Court is a self-catered and consists of single rooms and share a bathroom with an adjoining room. The rooms are grouped together in flats of six students and share a kitchen/dining room in each flat. Cartwright Court is one mile from the main campus area.
Colum Hall
- Colum Hall is a self-catered hall divided into 14 flats, each of which accommodates eight students in single-study, en-suite bedrooms. Each flat has a kitchen and dining room. Colum Hall is within walking distance to the main campus.

Meals

You will be responsible for the cost of your meals, whether a meal plan or self-catered.

Housing FAQs

When will I receive my housing assignment?

You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.

Please keep in mind that while IFSA-Butler guarantees housing, we cannot guarantee your preferences.

Do I have to pay a housing deposit?

Yes. IFSA-Butler requires a refundable housing deposit of $300 before going abroad. We will return this deposit to you after March 1 for fall programs or September 1 for spring and year programs, less any fines, damages or outstanding debts in your name.

Can I arrange my own housing?

Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you've made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.

Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing by December 1 for spring and semester 1 programs or by May 1 for fall and semester 2 programs. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after these dates.

Location Info

Cardiff

Population: 250,000
Location: Southern coast of Wales

City features

Capital of Wales and its commercial and political center
One of Britain's six "cities of elegance"
Offers a cosmopolitan setting with great nature and adventure activities close by
Theatres, cultural offerings, concert venues and sporting events are all plentiful
Plenty of pubs, student-friendly cafes and restaurants and great clubs
One of the lowest costs of living in the U.K.

Do more!

Explore the beauty of Wales and some of the world's best preserved history (including 400 castles!)
Cruise or sail on Cardiff Bay, a mile from the city center
Travel to London, just two hours away by high-speed train
Take advantage of Cardiff's international airport and budget airlines offering flights to mainland Europe

Links

Experience Cardiff
Cardiff City Bluebirds football team
Cardiff Bay
Southern Wales
Visit Wales
Welsh Assembly Government
Castles of Wales

Dates & Fees

Program Dates

Click here to view our full Wales program calendar.

Program Fees

Click here to view a full list of Wales fees.

Personal Cost Estimates

Click here to view a full list of Wales personal cost estimates.
Expense calculator

Forms

Applicants to the program at Cardiff University must complete two additional forms in addition to the academic statement(instructions for the statement can be found under the Academics tab) . Please download, print and complete the following:

Course Preference Form
Housing Preference Form

Remember, there is not a form for the Academic statement you need to submit. Please submit your statement, along with the two forms above, with the remainder for your IFSA-Butler application. Your forms can be sent to IFSA-Butler via email, fax, or regular mail. You can track which application forms IFSA-Butler has received by logging into the Student Portal.

Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in Wales:

Program Advisor Chris Dixon assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Chris can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, ext. 4266. Chris has been with the Institute for Study Abroad for the past 3 years. After studying abroad himself several times as an undergraduate, Chris earned a bachelor's degree in International Relations and came to work for IFSA-Butler. He currently acts as a program advisor for English-speaking programs and focuses on advising students studying in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia.

alt Student Accounts Coordinator Angelita Shaffer assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Angelita can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4221.

alt Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler for 11 years, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.

Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office, including our resident directors. Click here to read more about Resident Directors Lynne Alvarez and Andrew Williams.

alt Upon return from your study abroad program, Assistant Director for Academic Affairs Rhonda Hinkle processes your Butler University transcript and assists with any academic record queries. Rhonda completed her undergraduate coursework at the University of Evansville and received her master's degree from Bowling Green State University. Currently she is working on her Doctorate in Adult, Community and Higher Education at Ball State University. For Rhonda, study abroad not only increased her awareness of the world around her but also ignited her passion for travel and education. Rhonda can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229 ext. 4259.

Get Connected

Social Media

Connect with IFSA-Butler Students

If you really want to know what it's like to study abroad, connect with IFSA-Butler alumni and students who are currently abroad on an IFSA-Butler program. Check out the following:

Student Network
Student Blogs
Experiences Abroad Videos
For Students