Wales

Capital: Cardiff

  • Student life in Wales
  • Funding / scholarship & pathway providers
  • Visa guidance & accomodation

Student Life in Wales

Wales is located to the west of England sharing a border with the Irish Sea to the north and west, and the Bristol Channel to the south. Note that although Wales is part of the United Kingdom and shares a border with England it has a separate education system  and financing system however the same visa system.

The capital of Wales is Cardiff with a country population of more than 3,100,000. A beautiful and scenic country with a coastline 2700km long and a northern and central landscape dominated by mountains including Mount Snowden standing to be the tallest summit. Wales is home to some of the oldest universities including the University College of Wales opening in Aberystwyth in 1872. Following after,   University College Cardiff and University College Bangor was founded. The three colleges came together in 1893 to form the University of Wales.

Universities in Wales

Top universities in Wales:

The rankings of the universities offered by SkillMe for the most popular courses are shown below, if you have an interest in a university that is not on the list you can still enquire and SkillMe will help you get into the desired university or the next best institute.

Bangor University

Swansea University

Locations of all Wales universities:

The locations of all the universities in the UK based in Wales are shown on the map, offering many unique learning environments: 

Student Statistics in Wales

National / International Groups %

Student statistical representation of the domestic and international students coming to Wales to pursue a higher education qualification. Statistics are sourced and verified by HESA student records:

Welsh to Non-Welsh Student Group

Student Nationality Groups %

Student statistical representation of the many nationalities that have studied in Wales that originate from Europe to pursue a higher education qualification. Statistics are sourced and verified by HESA student records:

European Student Groups that study in Wales

Student statistical representation of the Welsh, European and Non-European students coming to Wales. Statistics are sourced and verified by HESA student statistics: 

Welsh to Non-Welsh Student Group

Student statistical representation of the many nationalities that have studied in Wales that originate from Non-European countries. Statistics are sourced and verified by HESA student statistics:

NON-European Student Groups that study in Wales

Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Colombia, Chile, Brunei, Philippines, Morocco, Ukraine, Macao, Tanzania, Uganda, Burma, Algeria, Angola, New Zealand, Libya, Trinidad and Tobago, Bermuda, Ecuador, Israel, Azerbaijan, Peru, Nepal, Zambia, Botswana, Iraq, Albania, Cayman Islands, Sudan, Argentina, Malawi, Serbia, Cameroon, Iceland, Palestine, Uzbekistan, Barbados, Nicaragua, Cambodia, Maldives, Syria, British Virgin Islands,  Georgia, Jamaica, Tunisia, Venezuela, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Belarus, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Seychelles, Cyprus, Gambia, Namibia, Bahamas, The
Dominican Republic, Sierra Leone, Armenia, Rwanda, Costa Rica, Macedonia, Monaco, Mozambique, Panama, Turks and Caicos Islands
Laos, Uruguay, Guyana, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Paraguay, St Lucia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Senegal, Yemen, Bolivia, Moldova, Montenegro, Turkmenistan, Anguilla, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Puerto Rico, Congo (Democratic Republic) {formerly Zaire}, Madagascar, Belize, El Salvador, Somalia, Tajikistan, Antigua and Barbuda, Guatemala, Bhutan, Eswatini, Honduras, Mauritania, Sint Maarten (Dutch part), South Sudan, St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Cuba, Dominica, Fiji, Grenada, Liberia, St Kitts and Nevis, Togo, Benin, Congo, Eritrea, Liechtenstein, Mali, Montserrat, Andorra, Aruba, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Chad, Djibouti, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, Haiti, Lesotho, Niger, Papua New Guinea, Cape Verde, Central African Republic Christmas Island, Curaçao, Greenland, Guam, Guinea-Bissau, North Korea, New Caledonia, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands, St Martin, Suriname, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States Virgin Islands, Samoa, Comoros, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Marshall Islands, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, San Marino, Tokelau, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Western Sahara

Cost of study in Wales

Degree level study in Wales in similar to the UK (England) and are in general shorter than other countries. For example an undergraduates Bachelors degree in Wales is three years whereas in the US it is four years. Therefore an additional year in Wales will grant you a Masters degree qualification. This also means earning a degree in Wales is cheaper relative to other countries.

The table on the right shows the different tuition fees for the programmes available in Wales for international students.

All prices are subject to the course, level of study and institute you wish to pursue your higher education at. International students outside of the EU will have to finance undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. EU postgraduate students will also have to finance their postgraduate programmes unless its a postgraduate diploma, more information here.

Programme TypesTution Fee
Undergraduate£ 10,000 - £38,000
Postgraduate (Classroom-based)£14,100
Postgraduate (Laboratory-based)£16,200
Postrgraduate (MBA-related)£21,700
Postgraduate (Clininal-based)£21,700

Work while studying in Wales

Whilst you are studying your degree programme you may be interested in working a part-time job for a maximum of 20 hours per week. This can increase up to 40 hours per week during holidays. 

There are many jobs on campus of your selected university to choose from based on your interests. More information is available at the student union or you could physically hand-in a copy of your CV to any shop/restaurant/student service department of interest. 

It is a great opportunity to grow your language and communication skills and to earn money for further development. Students could save money to fund trips around Wales or cover expenses of any societies you are involved in.

Typical Monthly Costs

A visual representation of the typical monthly costs in £ that you may incur while studying and living in Wales. For more information on what typical monthly costs you may incur at different universities visit here

Pathway Providers in Wales

Pathway providers are higher education institutes that offer domestic and international students an alternate form of entry into university degree. If your education has not been through a conventional route and do not have the entry requirements for a university degree you are eligible as an applicant through a pathway provider. Applicants may also include students who left school education early due to unforeseen circumstances, those who have not achieved the English skills to obtain direct entry, or students looking to return to study after a period of absence.

The table below shows the many different pathway providers in Wales that you may be interested in:

  • Navitas
  • Oxford International
  • BSMI

Scholarships in Wales

Commonwealth Scholarships

The Chevening Scholarships

Fullbright Awards

A scholarship programme aimed towards talented individuals with the potential to make change on a global level. It is granted to 800 students to pursue any subject both at master’s and PHD level courses. This programme is aimed at students who are from disadvantaged backgrounds  across the Commonwealth. If you believe you can make a positive difference in the world as an innovator and future leader however can’t afford to fund your Wales studies, then you could be the ideal candidate.

A scholarship programme of prestige and high competitiveness aimed towards individuals with leadership potential and strong academic backgrounds. It is funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and partner organizations. It is granted to 1500 students to pursue any eligible master’s degree at any Wales university.  It is a great opportunity for Vietnamese and Indian students who see themselves as future global leaders, influencers and decision-makers.

A scholarship programme aimed towards US students, professionals and academics who are interested in pursuing a postgraduate programme in Wales. It is funded and run by the Fullbright Commission and partner governments of the US and UK. With over 50,000 US students coming to the UK each year, the UK is the most popular academic destinations for American students. An opportunity for any American to study at the many prestigious universities of the UK.

Royal Society Grants

Gilman-Global Awards

Gilman-Global Awards

Grants aimed towards international students who are curious individuals with a loving passion for science. If a chance of being part of something bigger than yourself excites you then a grant from The Royal Society might be what you are looking for. Depending on which country you plan to study in you could be offered a grant to study themes such as Equipment and infrastructure, Industry and Innovation, Collaboration and Travel etc.

A scholarship programme aimed towards US students keen on growing their perspective of world cultures, languages and skills to progress their career development. This award is perfect for the U.S. students who are considered a minority/ have a disability, have high financial need and interesting in studying a STEM related subject with less study abroad participation. Acquiring the award is competitive however offers funding for travel, expenses and tuition fees.

A scholarship programme aimed towards US students keen on growing their perspective of world cultures, languages and skills to progress their career development. This award is perfect for the U.S. students who are considered a minority/ have a disability, have high financial need and interesting in studying a STEM related subject with less study abroad participation. Acquiring the award is competitive however offers funding for travel, expenses and tuition fees.

Wales visa guidance

Most international students will need a visa to be allowed to study in Wales. This student visa will allow you to live and study in Wales throughout your university degree. You can check if you need a visa through the Wales government visas and immigration here. Below are the types of visa you can get depending on your need. Note that the earliest time you can apply fro your visa is 3 months before the start of your course. SkillMe will offer complete visa support and will help you during your application process to ensure you are eligible to study in the UK.

Types of student visa

Wales Visa fees

Below are the types of visa a student aged above or under 17 can acquire including relevant information on what are the requirements and you can do on the visa.

Below are the visa fees incurred for the different types of visa a student can acquire, ensure that when  you are applying you are aware of the fees at the time of your application as fees may change.

Accommodation in Wales

SkillMe will support all students who are in need of accommodation by assisting your search for a suitable living place and or providing options for applicants to choose from. When pursuing a degree level study, the university will offer first year students priority accommodation that is on campus or off-campus building (owned or operated by the university) depending on the size of the institute. Living in an accommodation can bring you an experience of shared living and responsibilities when around other people which helps develop your interpersonal and communication skills. You will have the chance to build your confidence and character during these interactions. You may also find yourself making life-long friends from people from other parts of the worlds as the UK is truly a world-class multi-cultural hub of people. 

Usually university campuses will have different types of rooms that vary in sizes and may have shared or separated utilities such as a bathroom. Kitchens are always shared in the accommodation with every student expected to help maintain. Certain campus accommodations are usually mixed sex however depending on the university there can also be segregated gender accommodations.

On average the cost of living in the university campus accommodation per year ranges from £10,000 – £12,000. After the first year student can still apply to live on campus but may be subject to rejection if there are no free spaces that is prioritized for first year students. This is not a problem as SkillMe will offer you support at this stage as well and ensure you can find accommodation off-campus whether in a private student accommodation building a few minutes away to a shared home that are both usually cheaper than on-campus accommodation.

University Courses

wdt_ID Course Name Study Level University Country
Course Name Study Level University