BSc Architecture Studies at Cardiff Uni: Fees 2026 Dates & Requirements

BSc Architecture Studies at Cardiff Uni: Fees 2026 Dates & Requirements

Cardiff, WalesLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1883established year
24245enrollment
Public
8.0/10

Bachelor of Science [BSc] (Architecture Studies)

3 years
Full Time
On Campus

Field of Study: 

Ranked #51 out of 261 by QS Global Ranking 2025

$40,524 /Yr

£30,700 /Yr
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Study Abroad Team

Updated on - Sep 26, 2026

Cardiff University Architecture (Bachelor of Science, or BSc) is a three-year, full-time course at the Welsh School of Architecture in Cardiff. Indian applicants typically need 78% to 81% in the best four Standard XII subjects, excluding Hindi and Physical Education. The September 2027 overseas tuition is £31,700 per year (INR 40.35 Lakhs), and the intake starts in September 2027.

The course trains students through design studios, architectural technology, history, theory, practice and ethics. It suits applicants who can build a creative portfolio for accredited Part 1 training. Royal Institute of British Architects, Architects Registration Board and Board of Architects Malaysia recognition matters, but professional practice still requires further study and training.

  • Cardiff asks for a digital creative portfolio after UCAS submission, so evidence of drawing, making, photography or spatial thinking matters.
  • Design studio modules carry 50 or 60 credits, which makes sustained project work central to assessment.
  • The School covers essential printing, plotting, software licences and basic model-making materials, though optional extras can still add cost.

Current Admission Status

Applications for the September 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time / 23:30 IST.

The UK time controls the UCAS portal cutoff, while the IST conversion helps Indian applicants avoid a late submission. Submit before this date for equal consideration.

Also Check: Cardiff University Architecture admission

Cardiff Architecture BSc Fees and Living Costs 2027

Cardiff publishes the 2027/28 overseas tuition for Architecture (BSc). The rate is £31,700 (INR 40.35 Lakhs) in each study year.

The table below uses Cardiff’s official 2027 overseas rows. The total is calculated as three equal tuition years.

Fee itemGBPINR
Year one overseas tuition£31,700INR 40.35 Lakhs
Year two overseas tuition£31,700INR 40.35 Lakhs
Year three overseas tuition£31,700INR 40.35 Lakhs
Calculated three-year tuition£95,100INR 1.21 Crore

All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of GBP 1 = INR 127.29 as of 26 September 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.

Source: Cardiff University Architecture course page; the three-year total is calculated from the published annual overseas rate.

  • No tuition deposit is listed in the Cardiff 2027 overseas fee rows for this course.
  • Cardiff covers essential printing, plotting, software licences and materials for basic required model making.
  • Students may need extra model-making materials, a laptop and a camera or phone for recording sites and field trips.

Cost of Living in Cardiff for Architecture Students

Cardiff’s living-cost calculator gives a university-accommodation scenario for an international undergraduate. The cached scenario uses an en-suite Talybont North room, a 40-week contract and nine months.

The university estimate is separate from the Student visa maintenance rule. Private housing uses a different contract length, so it should not replace the nine-month residence estimate.

ExpenseMonthly (GBP)Monthly (INR)Nine months (GBP)Nine months (INR)
Rent including bills£743.87INR 94,710£6,694.83INR 8.52 Lakhs
Food, toiletries and laundry£300.71INR 38,283£2,706.39INR 3.45 Lakhs
Study costs£20.00INR 2,546£180.00INR 22,912
Socialising and leisure£170.22INR 21,672£1,531.98INR 1.95 Lakhs
Clothes£40.00INR 5,092£360.00INR 45,824
Mobile phone and television licence£30.00INR 3,819£270.00INR 34,368
Total£1,304.80INR 1.66 Lakhs£11,743.20INR 14.95 Lakhs

Source: Cardiff University living-cost calculator; nine-month values are calculated from official monthly components.

Cardiff’s private accommodation scenario is £1,125.91 (INR 1.43 Lakhs) monthly. The 52-week private figure is £13,510.92 (INR 17.20 Lakhs).

A one-year Cardiff budget adds £31,700 (INR 40.35 Lakhs) tuition to £11,743.20 (INR 14.95 Lakhs) living costs. The calculated total is £43,443.20 (INR 55.30 Lakhs).

Across three study years, the same assumptions produce £130,329.60 (INR 1.66 Crore). This is calculated from tuition plus three nine-month living estimates.

Check Out: Cardiff student accommodation and cost of living

Budget interpretation

The £130,329.60 (INR 1.66 Crore) figure is a calculated study budget, not Cardiff’s published total cost. Replace the housing line with your actual contract before arranging funds.

Key insight: Cardiff has confirmed £95,100 (INR 1.21 Crore) tuition for the three-year route. Add housing separately because residence contracts and visa maintenance evidence answer different funding questions.

Cardiff Architecture BSc Admission 2027

Cardiff’s 2027 entry requirement for Architecture (BSc) is AAA to AAB at A-level. Indian applicants should plan around Cardiff’s typical 78% to 81% Standard XII guidance, although the university makes the final equivalency decision.

The course also asks for a small creative portfolio after UCAS submission. This makes admission different from many non-studio degrees because evidence of observation, making and visual judgement matters beside marks.

Academic Eligibility and Portfolio

The table separates the published 2027 academic route from the applicant action. Cardiff does not state that WES (World Education Services) is required for this course.

RequirementCardiff 2027 ruleIndian applicant meaning
A-levelAAA to AABUse the 78% to 81% Standard XII range as the Indian planning equivalent
International Baccalaureate36 to 34 overall with 6 in one Higher Level subject or 666 in three Higher Level subjectsNot a direct Standard XII conversion, so Cardiff assesses Indian records separately
GCSE EnglishEnglish language at grade C or 4 or equivalentIndian Standard XII English may satisfy language evidence only under accepted board rules
GCSE MathsMaths at grade C or 4 or equivalentKeep mathematics evidence visible because architecture includes technology and environmental modelling
PortfolioDigital PDF, maximum 10MB, maximum 9 pages including cover and A3 landscape formatShow creative range through selected work and avoid external links because Cardiff does not accept them
Portfolio timingSix weeks from Cardiff’s first requestPrepare before submitting UCAS because the portfolio clock starts after Cardiff contacts you
Admissions testsNo GMAT, GRE or UCAT requirement is listedSelection depends on academics, portfolio readiness and a complete UCAS application

Applicants without a formal art or design background should not treat the portfolio as optional. Cardiff says the portfolio helps assess creativity, potential and readiness for architecture study.

The strongest portfolio is not just a set of building drawings. Cardiff accepts drawing, photography, pottery, dance, choreography, set design or other work that shows originality and thoughtful ideas.

English Language Requirements

Cardiff accepts IELTS (International English Language Testing System), PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT. TOEFL iBT means Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based test.

The course page lists TOEFL on the 0 to 120 scale. Cardiff’s general undergraduate page also shows a post-January 2026 scale, so applicants should verify which rule controls K100.

English routeOverall requirementComponent rule
IELTS Academic6.5Minimum 5.5 in each subskill
PTE Academic69Minimum 59 in all communicative skills
TOEFL iBT on the course page90 on the 0 to 120 scaleWriting 17, listening 17, reading 18 and speaking 20
TOEFL iBT on general undergraduate guidance4.5 on the post-January 2026 scaleMinimum 4 in each subskill, verify applicability to K100
Trinity ISE IIAcceptedAt least two Distinctions and two Merits
Trinity ISE IIIAcceptedAt least a Pass in all components
Indian Standard XII English70% or 140 out of 200Accepted only for listed subjects and boards under Cardiff guidance

Source: Cardiff University Architecture course page and undergraduate English language requirements.

  • IELTS is direct when you can meet 6.5 overall and 5.5 in every subskill.
  • PTE is useful when you can meet 69 overall and 59 in every communicative skill.
  • Applicants using TOEFL should ask Cardiff to confirm the correct scale before booking a test date.
Tip for Indian students: Marks open the door, but the portfolio can decide whether the application feels architecture-ready. Build it before UCAS submission so the six-week request window does not compress your work.

Cardiff Architecture BSc Application 2027

Cardiff Architecture (BSc) has one published intake for this route, September 2027. Applications are handled through UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service.

The course follows the standard undergraduate calendar rather than an early medicine-style deadline. For Indian applicants, equal consideration is the safest deadline because portfolio review follows the submitted UCAS form.

Application Timeline

The table lists the published 2027 UCAS stages for this September course. UK time controls the portal deadline, and IST is shown for planning.

Application stagePublished UK date and timeIndian timeApplicant action
Completed applications can be submitted1 September 20261 September 2026Submit once grades, reference and course choice are ready
Equal consideration deadline13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time13 January 2027, 23:30 ISTUse this route for standard consideration by Cardiff
Provider decision date for equal route12 May 202712 May 2027Expect decisions by this UCAS route date
Late application route30 June 2027, 18:00 UK time30 June 2027, 22:30 ISTUse only if places remain available after equal consideration
Provider decision date for late route14 July 202714 July 2027Prepare visa funds before this date if applying late
Final UCAS application date23 September 2027, 18:00 UK time23 September 2027, 22:30 ISTDo not rely on this date for a portfolio-based course

The portfolio changes the practical timeline because Cardiff gives six weeks after its first request. Begin selecting work before UCAS submission, then tailor the final PDF after Cardiff’s request arrives.

  • Submit by 13 January 2027 if Architecture is a serious first-choice option.
  • Keep the portfolio under 10MB and 9 pages so the technical format does not delay review.
  • Use A3 landscape pages because Cardiff states it will view the PDF on screen.
  • Track scholarship deadlines separately because the best funding dates fall before late UCAS decisions.

Read More: UCAS application guide for Indian students

Portfolio timing

The portfolio request arrives after UCAS submission, but a January applicant should already have a draft set. This avoids rushing original work during board-exam preparation.

Application tip: Treat 13 January 2027, 23:30 IST as the working deadline. A late UCAS route exists, but it leaves less time for portfolio review, funding and visa evidence.

Cardiff Architecture BSc Scholarships 2027

Cardiff publishes several undergraduate funding routes for international applicants in the 2027 entry cycle. The strongest architecture applicant should treat scholarship deadlines as earlier than admission deadlines.

The table keeps each award separate because eligibility depends on nationality, fee status, pathway and offer conditions. Do not subtract an award from tuition until Cardiff confirms it in writing.

ScholarshipValueINREligibility routeDeadline or condition
Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship£10,000INR 12.73 LakhsHigh-achieving self-funded international undergraduate applicants2 April 2027, 23:59 UK time / 3 April 2027, 04:29 IST
Vice-Chancellor’s Undergraduate International Scholarship for India£5,000INR 6.36 LakhsEligible Indian fee-paying undergraduate applicantsApply to Cardiff by 30 June 2027 and meet offer conditions by 31 August 2027
International Study Centre Progression Scholarship£2,000 to £3,000INR 2.55 Lakhs to INR 3.82 LakhsCardiff International Study Centre progression routeRoute-specific progression award, not a direct-entry scholarship
NCUK International Scholarship£2,000INR 2.55 LakhsNCUK progression routePathway eligibility must match the applicant’s route

For direct Standard XII applicants, the £10,000 (INR 12.73 Lakhs) Excellence award is the most time-sensitive opportunity. Its April deadline arrives before the late UCAS route.

  • Prepare scholarship evidence before portfolio review because funding forms may ask for academic and offer details.
  • Use the Vice-Chancellor route only if Cardiff is your firm choice and conditions can be met by 31 August 2027.
  • Do not count pathway awards unless you are entering through Cardiff International Study Centre or NCUK.

Read More: UK scholarships for international students

Scholarship reality: The largest listed award is £10,000 (INR 12.73 Lakhs), but Cardiff tuition remains a high upfront commitment. Apply early enough to keep both portfolio review and funding decisions moving together.

Cardiff Architecture BSc Salary 2027

Cardiff’s course page positions Architecture (BSc) as Part 1 architectural training. It lists architecture practice as the main pathway, with other design, media and built-environment roles also possible.

The salary table uses Discover Uni evidence for full-time Architecture courses at Cardiff. It is a subject-level proxy, not a placement guarantee for this exact course.

Evidence scopeMeasureResultINR or note
Cardiff full-time Architecture graduatesMedian earnings 15 months after graduation£30,000INR 38.19 Lakhs
Cardiff full-time Architecture graduatesTypical earnings range 15 months after graduation£26,000 to £31,000INR 33.10 Lakhs to INR 39.46 Lakhs
Cardiff full-time Architecture graduatesWork or study 15 months after graduation85%Graduate Outcomes 2022-23 proxy data
Cardiff full-time Architecture graduatesHighly skilled work among employed graduates95%Occupation data from surveyed graduates
Cardiff full-time Architecture graduatesMedian earnings three years after graduation£29,000INR 36.91 Lakhs
Cardiff full-time Architecture graduatesMedian earnings five years after graduation£35,500INR 45.19 Lakhs

Source: Discover Uni Cardiff full-time Architecture data and Cardiff Architecture course careers information.

Cardiff reports that graduates continue toward registered architect training or move into adjacent design fields. The BSc alone should therefore be read as the first professional step.

  • The calculated three-year study budget is £130,329.60 (INR 1.66 Crore), so funding risk is material before salary outcomes matter.
  • The 15-month median is £30,000 (INR 38.19 Lakhs), but architecture registration needs further study and supervised practice.
  • The Graduate Route gives a post-study work window, yet Skilled Worker sponsorship needs salary and role fit after graduation.
  • Applicants planning an India return should value portfolio, accreditation and design skills beside UK gross salary figures.

Gross UK salary does not equal take-home pay because tax, national insurance and living costs vary by location. Use a UK tax calculator before comparing the £30,000 (INR 38.19 Lakhs) proxy with Indian offers.

ROI reality: Architecture (BSc) is rational when you want accredited Part 1 training and can fund the pathway beyond one degree. The £95,100 (INR 1.21 Crore) tuition should be weighed against further qualification time.

UK Visa for Cardiff Architecture BSc Students 2027

Indian students need a UK Student visa for Cardiff Architecture (BSc). The visa budget is separate from Cardiff’s living-cost estimate because UK Visas and Immigration sets its own maintenance evidence.

  • The Student visa application fee is £558 (INR 71,028), and the immigration health surcharge is £776 (INR 98,777) per year.
  • The outside-London maintenance rule is £1,203 (INR 1.53 Lakhs) monthly, or £10,827 (INR 13.78 Lakhs) for nine months.
  • From 2027, the Graduate Route gives 18 months after completion, so architecture applicants should plan job search timing early.
  • The Skilled Worker general salary threshold is £41,700 (INR 53.08 Lakhs), which is above the 15-month architecture proxy median.
  • Undergraduate Student visa dependants are generally restricted unless a government-sponsored exception applies.

Read More: UK Student visa process for Indian students

Visa reality: The Graduate Route lasts 18 months for this 2027 applicant cycle. That window can support early UK work experience, but sponsorship still depends on salary, employer and role fit.

Cardiff Architecture BSc Ranking 2027

Cardiff has a qualifying subject ranking for Architecture and Built Environment. The ranking is school and subject context, not a separate score for the BSc course.

Use the ranking as evidence of academic environment and visibility. It should not replace portfolio fit, accreditation, cost or the professional training pathway.

Ranking sourceEditionSubjectPositionScope
QS World University Rankings by Subject2026Architecture and Built Environment50th globallyWelsh School of Architecture subject ranking, not course-specific

The 50th global subject result supports Cardiff’s studio and research setting. For applicants, the more immediate decision is whether the curriculum and portfolio review match their design preparation.

Check Out: Cardiff University rankings

Honest take: The QS 2026 Architecture subject rank is useful context, but it is not a graduate salary measure. Treat it as one signal beside accreditation, tuition and portfolio expectations.

Cardiff Architecture (BSc) fits applicants who want studio-led Part 1 training and can show creative range through a compact portfolio. Its strongest pull is accredited architecture preparation within a ranked subject environment, but the cost is high for a first professional step. The practical next move is to finish UCAS before 13 January 2027 and prepare the 9-page PDF before Cardiff requests it. Scholarship applicants should work backwards from the 2 April 2027 Excellence deadline.

Architecture (BSc) FAQs

Ques. Is Cardiff Architecture (BSc) open for September 2027?

Ans. Yes, applications for September 2027 are open through UCAS. The equal consideration deadline is 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time / 23:30 IST.

Ques. What is the Cardiff Architecture (BSc) tuition for Indian students?

Ans. Cardiff lists overseas tuition at £31,700 (INR 40.35 Lakhs) per year for 2027/28. The calculated three-year tuition is £95,100 (INR 1.21 Crore).

Ques. Does Cardiff require a portfolio for Architecture (BSc)?

Ans. Yes, Cardiff requests a digital portfolio after UCAS submission. The PDF must be under 10MB, no more than 9 pages and in A3 landscape format.

Ques. Is Architecture (BSc) enough to become a registered architect?

Ans. No, the BSc is accredited Part 1 training. Applicants should budget for further study and supervised professional training after graduation.

Ques. What salary evidence is available for Cardiff Architecture graduates?

Ans. Discover Uni shows a Cardiff Architecture proxy median of £30,000 (INR 38.19 Lakhs) 15 months after graduation. It is not an exact placement guarantee.


Important Alert

  • UCAS Application Deadline for 2027 Intake - Jan 13, 2027

Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees$40524 (GBP 30700)

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Living Expenses$14457 (GBP 10952)
Total Cost$14457 (GBP 10952)

Per Credit Cost: £245

Previous Year Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
2024$38874 (GBP 29450)
2022$36526 (GBP 27671)

Important Dates

EventApplication Date
UCAS Application Deadline for 2027 Intake Jan 13, 2027

Scores Required

6.5 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

4.5 / 6

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

69 / 90

Avg. Score in

PTE

29

Application Fees

360

ECTS Credits


Required Document List

  • Online Application
  • Official Transcripts and Degree Conferral (Proof of Degree)
  • Academic Records
  • Transcripts
  • English Language Proficiency Testing

Ranking

20252024202320222021201920182017

QS World University logo
Architecture 51 out of 261 in Global Ranking
( #6 out of 24 in UK 2025)

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