Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship 2027 | Study in United Kingdom — Cardiff University
Only nine awards across an entire incoming international undergraduate cohort sounds daunting, but Cardiff’s own published criteria give applicants a clear, concrete target to aim for rather than a vague sense of general excellence.
About the Scholarship
The Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship is Cardiff University’s flagship award for high achieving self-financed international students, offering nine scholarships worth ten thousand pounds each, applied to the first year of study only. Applicants must already hold an offer for an eligible undergraduate programme starting in autumn 2027 and must confirm Cardiff as their firm choice through UCAS. The scholarship specifically excludes undergraduate programmes in the schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Healthcare, so students in those fields should look toward Cardiff’s other dedicated funding routes instead.
Scholarship Benefits
- A ten thousand pound tuition fee waiver applied to the first year of study
- Recognition as one of only nine Excellence Scholars in that year’s intake
- Access to Cardiff’s wider international student support network
- No cash alternative, but a clear and substantial reduction in first year costs
- Open across most undergraduate subjects outside the excluded health schools
Eligibility Criteria
- Be classified as an international student for tuition fee purposes
- Be self-financed and not already receiving non-repayable funding from another source
- Hold an offer for an eligible undergraduate degree starting in September 2027 at the time of application
- Submit the scholarship application by the published April deadline
- Meet the original published admissions criteria for your chosen programme
- Confirm Cardiff as your firm UCAS choice and meet all offer conditions by the end of August 2027
Fields of Study Covered
Eligible programmes span most undergraduate subjects at Cardiff outside the schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Healthcare, giving applicants in engineering, business, social sciences, the arts and the physical sciences a genuine opportunity to apply.
Required Documents
- A confirmed offer letter for an eligible Cardiff undergraduate programme
- Proof of international fee status and self-financed study
- A completed Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship application form
- Academic transcripts and predicted or final grades
- Confirmation of Cardiff as your firm UCAS choice
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Apply through UCAS for an eligible Cardiff undergraduate degree starting September 2027
- Confirm you hold an offer and are self-financed before the scholarship deadline
- Submit the Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarship application by the first week of April
- Confirm Cardiff as your firm choice through UCAS as required
- Meet all remaining offer conditions, including English language requirements, by the end of August
- Wait for Cardiff’s scholarship decision, which follows a competitive review of all eligible applications
Selection Process
Cardiff’s scholarships panel reviews applications from self-financed international students who meet the published admissions criteria, selecting the nine strongest candidates based on academic achievement and overall application quality for that year’s intake.
Tips to Improve Your Chances
- Submit your scholarship application as early as possible within the window, rather than waiting until the April deadline
- Confirm Cardiff as your firm UCAS choice promptly, since this is a firm eligibility requirement
- Make sure your chosen programme is not in the excluded Dentistry, Medicine or Healthcare schools
- Meet every offer condition, including English language requirements, well before the end of August deadline
- Compare this with the Royal Holloway International Undergraduate Scholarship if you are considering multiple UK universities
- Look at the University of Glasgow Global Leadership Scholarship if you are also considering postgraduate study in future
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Undergraduate International Excellence Scholarships are awarded?
Nine scholarships are awarded each year, each worth ten thousand pounds.
Does the scholarship cover every year of study?
No, it is applied to the first year of study only.
Are Medicine and Dentistry students eligible?
No, undergraduate programmes in the schools of Dentistry, Medicine and Healthcare are excluded from this scholarship.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline has previously fallen in early April, specifically 23:59 UK time on the second of April, for September 2027 entry.
Is there a cash alternative to the fee waiver?
No, the award is a tuition fee waiver only, and it cannot be used toward any required deposit.
Do I need to confirm Cardiff as my first choice?
Yes, applicants must confirm Cardiff as their firm choice through UCAS as part of the eligibility conditions.
Can I reapply if I am unsuccessful in a given year?
Each year’s scholarship competition is run separately, so an unsuccessful applicant who still holds an eligible offer for a later year could apply again in that new cycle.
Is financial need assessed alongside academic merit?
The scholarship’s core requirement is being self-financed and academically strong, rather than a separate documented financial hardship assessment.