Basic information and contact details for Cardiff University
Cardiff University is situated in the heart of the Welsh capital.
Founded in 1883 with just 13 academic staff and 102 full-time students, it has grown quickly and it now caters for in excess of 30,000 students. It is the only Welsh university in the Russell Group.
Its 26 academic schools are organised into three colleges: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Biomedical and Life Sciences, and Physical Sciences and Engineering.
It offers over 300 undergraduate degrees and more than 200 taught masters, diplomas and certificates, as well as providing professional short courses. About 6,500 international students from more than 100 countries are enrolled at Cardiff.
The university is made up of two large campuses, both close to the centre of Cardiff. Heath Park, a mile to its north, is on the fringe of 100 acres of parkland and playing fields. With the exception of Pharmacy and Optometry, it houses the university’s healthcare schools, sharing the site with the University Hospital of Wales. Study areas and IT facilities are open around the clock and, as well as libraries and lecture theatres, there is a swimming pool, fitness suite and squash court.
Cathays Park is the main campus and home to 22 of the university’s schools, as well as the main Student’s Union. Just half a mile from the city centre, it includes restaurants, shops, a nightclub and pubs. Among the tree-lined avenues and Portland stone buildings are modern study facilities, including labs, IT suites and lecture theatres.
Rankings
Select the type of rankings below to see stats
World University Rankings 2025
Breakdown via year: Overall
Ranking positions 2016 to 2025
2025
201-250th
2024
190th
2023
=187th
2022
189th
2021
=191st
2020
=198th
2019
=187th
2018
=162nd
2017
=182nd
2016
=182nd
Precise ranks and overall scores are shown for the institutions toward the top of a ranking; for institutions with banded ranks, please see the relevant ranking tables for an indication of their scores.
Impact Rankings
Select the type of ranking below to see stats
Impact Rankings 2024
Breakdown via year: Overall
Impact Ranking positions 2021 to 2024
2024
=55th
2023
=52nd
2022
101-200th
2021
101-200th
Precise ranks and overall scores are shown for the institutions toward the top of a ranking; for institutions with banded ranks, please see the relevant ranking tables for an indication of their scores.
Discover similar universities
Find out more about studying, research and jobs at these universities