cardiff university mba: Fees, Living Costs, Test Scores, Visa Process, Work during Study, Entry Requirements.

Cardiff University MBA Fees, Requirement, Application, Deadline 2026.

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

Master of Business Administration [MBA]

1 year
Full Time
On Campus

Field of Study

Ranked #151 out of 990 by THE Global Ranking 2025

₹40.8 L/Yr

£34,700 /Yr
2 Students Applied
2 Students Admitted
Sakshi.Collegedunia's profile photo

Sakshi.Collegedunia

Updated 3+ months ago

The MBA at Cardiff Business School is a one-year full-time program designed for ambitious professionals to advance to senior leadership, blending immersive challenge-based learning with real-world projects like the Accelerator Project (consulting for corporate clients) and a Leadership Development Programme focusing on resilience, digital transformation, and responsible leadership. Delivered on the innovative Heath Park campus in Cardiff, it features six scenario-driven modules on strategy, finance, operations, and ethics, with guest lectures, simulations, and industry trips. AACSB- and AMBA-accredited, it's ideal for Indian managers with 3+ years' experience seeking global impact in consulting or entrepreneurship.

Key Highlights

  • Duration & Mode: 1 year full-time; no part-time or January intake options for internationals.
  • Curriculum Focus: Challenge-led modules on business strategy, crisis management, and innovation; assessments via reports, presentations, and team simulations; capstone Accelerator Project for practical consultancy.
  • Career Boost: 95% employability; prepares for C-suite roles; Career Advantage Service with coaching and networks (e.g., Deloitte, KPMG); average salary £50,000+ (INR 58.5 lakhs).
  • Cardiff Advantage: Lower living costs than London (20% cheaper); access to Welsh innovation hubs; optional international electives.
  • Indian Student Support: 10%+ South Asian cohort; dedicated international office for visa/TB clinics; Indian Society for cultural events; free ENIC equivalency.
  • Accreditation & Ranking: AACSB (top 5% globally) and AMBA-accredited; Cardiff Business School #1 in Wales for research impact (REF 2021).
  • The tuition fees increased from £33,200 in 2024 to £34,700 in 2025, representing an increase of £1,500 (approximately ₹1.6 lakh, based on an exchange rate of £1 = ₹110).

Entry Requirements for MBA at Cardiff University Entry Requirements for Indian Students

Aspect Details for Indian Students
Application Deadlines - September 2026 Intake: Rolling admissions; closes end of August 2026 (apply by 31 July 2026 for priority visa processing; places fill early).
Note: No January 2026 intake for MBA; as of 12 November 2025, apply ASAP via online portal—Tier 4 visa takes 3-8 weeks via VFS; TB test mandatory from approved panels (e.g., Delhi/Mumbai). Deposit (£2,500) due within 14 days of offer.
Tuition Fees - Full-time (1 year): £34,700 GBP (approx. INR 40.61 lakhs).
Additional costs: £900-£1,200/month living in Cardiff (INR 1.05-1.4 lakhs). Fees for 2025/26; £2,500 deposit for CAS; no mid-program increases.
Entry Requirements - Academic: Bachelor's (any discipline) with 55-60% aggregate from UGC-recognized Indian university (UK 2:1 equivalent; ENIC free verification).
- English Proficiency: IELTS 7.0 overall (min. 6.0 each band); PTE 70+ or TOEFL iBT 100 alternatives (valid 2 years; UKVI compliant).
- Work Experience: Minimum 3 years relevant managerial (evidenced by employer reference <6 months old).- Other: CV (full history), personal statement (motivation/aptitude), interview (Zoom for Indians); transcripts scanned. No GMAT.
Documents Required

- Online application
- Application fee
- Transcripts
- English language Proficiency score
- Copy of passport
- Resume
- Letter of reference

Application Fee 0
Application link Application link
Scholarships - MBA Public Value Scholarship: £7,500 (INR 8.78 lakhs) merit-based; automatic for enrollers meeting offer terms; open to Indians with strong leadership potential.
- Cardiff India Scholarships: £5,000 (INR 5.85 lakhs); for select PG programs (MBA ineligible, but check updates); automatic for domiciled Indians (55%+ bachelor's), deadline with app (e.g., 31 July 2026 for Sept).
- External: Chevening (full funding + stipend, deadline Oct 2026 for 2027—plan ahead); GREAT (£10,000; INR 11.7 lakhs) for Indians—British Council by May 2026.Tip: 18% Indian PG applicants awarded; apply early post-offer.

Tips and Tricks for Indian Students Applying to Cardiff MBA

  • Early App for Visa Buffer: With rolling deadlines, submit by January 2026 for Sept—upload £1,334/month funds proof (9 months) via Axis loan. Book TB test (₹7,000) now; priority VFS (£500) for 5-day processing; Cardiff's lower costs ease IHS surcharge (£1,035/year).
  • Interview Mastery: 20-30 min Zoom—use STAR for leadership examples (e.g., Indian team projects). Practice ethical dilemmas; reference Accelerator Project fit—80% Indians pass with prep via free LinkedIn Learning.
  • Funding Layer: Target Public Value via strong refs; combine with Credila loans (9% interest). Save: University halls (£500/month shared), Roath Indian stores for 30% grocery cuts.
  • App Edge: Link exp to challenges (e.g., sustainability in Indian ops). Attend Cardiff India webinars (cardiff.ac.uk/events) for tips and waived fees—15% higher offer rate.
  • Arrival Boost: Join NSO for free NHS/Oyster setup. Welsh Indian Society aids integration; leverage 2-year PSW for £45k+ roles at PwC UK—alumni report 45% salary hikes.

FAQs

Ques 1: Is 3 years' work experience strictly required for the Cardiff MBA?

Ans: Yes, minimum 3 years managerial, but exceptional candidates with less (e.g., 2 years + strong projects) may qualify via interview—60% Indian admits have 4+ years, per admissions data.

Ques 2: How does Cardiff's MBA ROI compare to London options for Indians?

Ans: At £34.7k, 95% employability and £50k salary yield 20-month payback—better than £40k+ London MBAs with Cardiff's 20% lower living costs and strong Welsh networks.

Ques 3: Are scholarships combinable, and what's the success rate for Indians?

Ans: No combining, but Public Value (£7.5k) is auto-assessed; 25% Indians secure aid via merit—apply with polished CV for edge.


Important Alert

  • Application Deadline for September 2026 Intake - Jul 31, 2026

Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
Tuition Fees₹4084190 (GBP 34700)

Other Expenses

HeadAvg Cost Per Year
Living Expenses₹1765500 (GBP 15000)
Total Cost₹1765500 (GBP 15000)

Per Credit Cost: £184

Previous Year Tuition Fees

Year1st Year Fees
2024₹3907640 (GBP 33200)
2023₹3907640 (GBP 33200)
2021₹4621020 (GBP 39261)

Important Dates

Applications typically close at the end of August but may close earlier if places are filled.

EventApplication Date
Application Deadline for September 2026 Intake Jul 31, 2026

Scores Required

7 / 9

Avg. Score in

IELTS

100 / 120

Avg. Score in

TOEFL

76 / 90

Avg. Score in

PTE

180

ECTS Credits


Ranking

2026202520242023202220212020201920182017

QS World University logo
Business 151 out of 389 in Global Ranking
( #16 out of 35 in UK 2026)

The Guardian logo
Business 31 out of 119 in Global Ranking
( #26 out of 105 in UK 2026)

Do you think the Rankings are wrong ?  Report Here

TOP Scholarships

Scholarship nameAward amountEligibility
Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarship£3,500 - £10,000All Admitted Students
MBA Public Value Scholarships£7,500All Admitted Students

Programs Comparison

ranking# 31 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 151 for Business by QS World University 2026
# 151 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
-# 1001 for Business by Times Higher Education 2023
# 56 for Business by The Guardian 2021
# 40 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 131 for Business by QS World University 2026
# 101 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
# 93 for Business by The Guardian 2026
# 151 for Business by QS World University 2026
# 176 for Business by Times Higher Education 2025
application-----
exam scoresIELTS - 7/9PTE - 76/90TOEFL - 100/120-IELTS - 6.0/9TOEFL - 72/120IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 67/90TOEFL - 88/120IELTS - 6.5/9
cost to studyTotal Cost (Tuition + Living) -INR 5849690-Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -INR 3274884.8Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -INR 6292242Total Cost (Tuition + Living) -INR 3119050
documents required#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose#Letter of Recommendation + Statement of Purpose
application datesJul 31, 2026 (Application Deadline for September 2026 Intake)
--Jul 3, 2026 (Application Deadline For September 2026 Intake)
-
-Read Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full ComparisonRead Full Comparison



Options Available

ProgramDelivery TypeDurationProgram TypeTuition Fees
M.B.A Mediafull time1 yearon-campus₹4084190

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