Semester dates

Find semester dates below for the International Foundation Year, International Year One, Pre-Master's and English Language Programme.

Students sitting and talking on campus

International Foundation Year

The International Foundation Year prepares students for undergraduate study.

January 2025

StartFinish
Semester 112/1/20251/5/2025
Semester 24/5/202528/8/2025

September 2025

StartFinish
Semester 121/9/202515/1/2026
Semester 218/1/202611/6/2026

November 2025

StartFinish
Semester 123/11/202530/4/2026
Semester 23/5/202627/8/2026

January 2026

StartFinish
Semester 111/1/202630/4/2026
Semester 23/5/202627/8/2026

Please note: For the November start - after the 3-week Enhanced Induction you will join your main academic programme which starts in January 2025.

Accelerated International Foundation

The Accelerated International Foundation is an intensive, 22-week pathway, preparing students for undergraduate study.

March 2025

StartFinish
Semester 19/3/202528/8/2025

March 2026

StartFinish
Semester 18/3/202627/8/2026

International Year One

The International Year One is equivalent to the first year of an undergraduate degree, with extra support and English language preparation.

January 2025

StartFinish
Semester 112/1/20251/5/2025
Semester 24/5/202528/8/2025

September 2025

StartFinish
Semester 121/9/202515/1/2026
Semester 218/1/202611/6/2026

November 2025

StartFinish
Semester 123/11/202530/4/2026
Semester 23/5/202627/8/2026

January 2026

StartFinish
Semester 111/1/202630/4/2026
Semester 23/5/202627/8/2026

Please note: For the November start - after the 3-week Enhanced Induction you will join your main academic programme which starts in January 2025.

Pre-Master's programme

The Pre-Master's prepares postgraduate students for Master's-level study at Cardiff University.

2 Semester

January 2025

StartFinish
Semester 112/1/20251/5/2025
Semester 24/5/202528/8/2025

September 2025

StartFinish
Semester 121/9/202515/1/2026
Semester 218/1/202611/6/2026

November 2025

StartFinish
Semester 123/11/202530/4/2026
Semester 23/5/202627/8/2026

January 2026

StartFinish
Semester 111/1/202630/4/2026
Semester 23/5/202627/8/2026

Please note: For the November start - after the 3-week Enhanced Induction you will join your main academic programme which starts in January 2025.

English language programmes

Our Online English programmes are designed for undergraduate students who do not currently have the English language level required to study the International Foundation Year or International Year One.

Depending on your level of English, you may require one or two terms of English. Check the entry requirements page for more information.

WeeksStart date
10May or September 2023

The English Language Preparation programme is not available for students who are aiming to study Medicine, Dental Surgery, Optometry, Medical Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Journalism and Communications; Journalism, Communications and Politics; Media and Communications or Media, Journalism and Culture.

Programme lengthStart date
6 weeks26/6/2023
2/10/2023
10 weeks29/05/2023
04/09/2023
16 weeks17/04/2023
24/7/2023

Join us today

We're here to support you throughout the application process. Use our online application form and our student enrolment advisors will be available to answer your questions.