Will international students be able to travel to the UK?
Please refer to advice from the
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for up to date travel advice.
At the current time, travel into the UK is permitted subject to a period of 14 days self-quarantine on arrival in the UK.
Will international students need to self-isolate when they arrive in the UK?
This will depend on the UK & Welsh Government policy at the time of your planned arrival to the UK. Students from the majority of countries are currently required to self-isolate for 14 days.
The university will be booking accommodation in Cardiff to allow you to safely and conveniently self-isolate for 14 days on arrival to Cardiff. For more information please see the self-isolation accommodation page on our website.
When will I be starting my studies at Cardiff Met?
The 2020 Autumn term will begin week commencing 28th September 2020 for all new students, with a newly developed induction programme that has been designed in conjunction with the Students’ Union. Students at all levels will then commence their studies from 5th October 2020.
If I am unable to get to the UK by 28th September 2020 due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, what should I do?
We will do all we can to support your ambition to study with us. You can begin your studies with us, whilst you’re on your way to us.
If travel restrictions prevent you from getting to the UK by the start of your course, you can enrol on your course from your home country. This will enable you to have access to our excellent virtual learning environment whilst you are on your way to us.
If I am unable to obtain my certificates/transcripts due to the Covid-19 pandemic, what should I do?
Please contact our International Admissions Team for advice. We will do all we can to support your ambition to study with us. You can contact the team on
intadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk.
I do not have access to an approved English language test, what options are available to me?
Will I be able to attend Cardiff Met University campuses to undertake my studies?
During the Autumn term at least, we will ensure that our high quality learning, teaching and student support services will continue to be delivered through a combination of on-campus and online delivery and that all students will benefit from small group, peer-assisted and individual learning programmes. In doing so we are able to ensure that all the learning outcomes of your programme of study will be met in full.
Our academic staff are now finalising all of the detail on a programme by programme basis and a more detailed statement providing further information for each programme will be available for new and returning students on 13 June 2020.
If I am not able to attend Cardiff Met campuses as normal due to social distancing restrictions, will I be disadvantaged academically?
No, we have gone to great lengths to ensure that you will continue to receive the high standard of education and support for which Cardiff Met is renowned.
We are proud of our position in the top 20% of UK higher education providers in the 2019 National Student Survey. Our reputation has been built on our practice-focussed and professionally aligned programmes and our high-quality learning and teaching.
We are committed to maintaining these high standards, despite the current restrictions and having been planning, developing and refining our learning and teaching methods to ensure that this is the case for all students.
This will ensure that you will continue to benefit from small class sizes and extensive one-to-one support from your lecturers and personal tutor, rather than extensive provision of large lectures.
All students will continue to benefit from the Cardiff Met EDGE - our successful approach to embedding entrepreneurial, digital, global and ethical competencies alongside core module and programme content. This innovative approach ensures that you are equipped with the skills and experience required to succeed in what is anticipated to be a competitive employment market for the foreseeable future.
If I am expected to attend Cardiff Met whilst social distancing restrictions are in place due to the Covid-19 pandemic, how can I ensure I will be safe?
The safety of our students and staff is of paramount importance. Cardiff Met will not open its campuses to both students and staff unless we are confident that we have put into place the required mechanisms to ensure everyone is safe. We will ensure that all Cardiff Met campuses and processes are fully compliant with social distancing guidelines by the time you arrive in September.
We are currently undertaking all of the necessary work to be able to implement social distancing and enhanced hygiene safely across our campuses. Measures include:
- Protection screens for all Receptions
- Clear signage, advice and one way routes where appropriate to maintain social distancing
- Handwash/hand gel stations at the entrance to all buildings and on all floors
- Increased cleaning enhancements throughout the day, concentrating on common areas and touchpoints
- Increased sensors and automation on doors and touchpoints
- Clear and comprehensive Risk Assessments for all campus activities, evidencing how we will work and our commitment to student and staff safety
- Dedicated Protection Officer and Helpline on each campus for liaison and enquiries on issues relating to Covid-19
- Safety Marshalls within each building, to provide advice and guidance to students and additional cleaning
- Safe access to on-campus labs, studios, workshops and teaching spaces with controlled and managed numbers
- Additional outdoor covered seating areas for recreational use and informal study
- Safe catering and retail outlets, offering cashless services such as ‘click and collect’ and outdoor catering
- Additional access to the city-wide cycle hire system, Next Bikes, to reduce the requirement for public transport
- Additional student parking available on both campuses, to reduce the requirement for public transport
What will my social life be like?
We know that starting university can be a daunting as well as an exciting time and we are currently redeveloping our induction and social programme, in conjunction with the Students’ Union, to ensure that all new students get the best start to life at Cardiff Met as possible, whether online, on campus or a mixture of both.
Will I be able to get a part-time job to support my studies?
We know that part-time work is important to many international students in supporting their studies and career aspirations. The Covid-19 pandemic has transformed the UK labour market in recent months and it is likely that due to ongoing restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that part-time work is not readily available. There are a variety of opportunities available in some employment sectors, such as food retail stores and the care industry, but other sectors remain limited.
You should ensure that you have sufficient funds to pay for your studies and life in the UK; you cannot rely on the availability of part-time work to fund your life in the UK.
Will I be able to travel around the UK?
This will depend on the UK and Welsh Government policy at the time. There are current restrictions in place which prevent this at the current time. However, these rules are reviewed every 4 weeks by the UK and Welsh governments.
Am I able to stay in University accommodation?
Yes, we would welcome applications to stay at University accommodation. Information will be sent to you about how you can book this accommodation once you have accepted your offer.
Will there be changes to the Tier 4 visa application process?
Some UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) are resuming services, where local restrictions allow. For updates to the status of VACs in your country, contact:
TLS contact if you’re in Europe, Africa and parts of the Middle East
VFS global for all other countries
Ongoing global restrictions mean some UKVI services will remain closed. Contact your local VAC to find out the latest status. Where services are resuming, existing customers will be contacted.
If you have any queries regarding your Tier 4 visa application, please contact our dedicated visa support team who will be happy to help you. You can contact the team on immigrationregs@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Will there be a Post Study Work visa scheme in the UK when I finish my course?
The UK Government has announced the intention that international students graduating from summer 2021 will be eligible to apply for the PSW scheme.
Will international students need to use the COVID-19 Track and Trace app?
This will depend on the UK and Welsh Government policy at the time of your arrival in the UK. It is very likely that the Track and Trace app will be a requirement for quite a while in the UK. Please do not worry, we have a team of dedicated international student support staff that can offer support and advice on this nearer the time.
Will international students receive support from Cardiff Met if they become ill?
The health and well-being of our students is very important to Cardiff Met. We provide advice and support to all international students in all circumstances.
International students have access to the National Health Service (NHS) through the health surcharge that they pay as part of their Tier 4 visa application.
Will I need to bring a laptop with me?
Yes, we recommend that you bring a laptop with you, or purchase a laptop in the UK. This will enable you to have full access to the benefits of studying at Cardiff Met. You will also require internet access to be able to access online teaching and learning.
There is a dedicated Cardiff Met helpdesk for students who have queries or issues with their IT equipment during their studies. They are always happy to help.
