Direct answer
Cardiff University’s Computational and Data Journalism MSc is a conversion course open to graduates of any subject. For Chinese applicants, the university requires a relevant four‑year bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution with grades of approximately 80% or above. The English language requirement is an IELTS overall score of 7.0, with no subskill below 6.0. You must submit a degree certificate and transcripts, an IELTS certificate or accepted equivalent, one reference, and a personal statement of no more than 500 words.
Who the course is for
The Computational and Data Journalism MSc is designed as a conversion course. The official evidence confirms that no prior knowledge or degree in the subject is required. This means graduates from any discipline may apply, provided they meet the university’s academic and English language standards.
Academic entry requirement
Cardiff University asks for a 2:2 honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent international degree. The university does not publish a separate percentage conversion for China within the programme page. Instead, it states a general postgraduate taught requirement: Chinese applicants need grades of approximately 80% or above in their bachelor’s degree. You must hold a relevant four‑year bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution.
English language requirement
The required IELTS score is an overall 7.0, with a minimum of 6.0 in all subskills. Cardiff University accepts a variety of English language tests and academic qualifications as equivalents to IELTS. The official page does not list every accepted test, so you should verify whether your qualification satisfies the requirement before you apply.
Application documents
You must prepare the following documents:
- Degree certificate and transcripts
- IELTS certificate, or an accepted equivalent English language qualification
- One reference
- A personal statement
The personal statement must not exceed 500 words. The official evidence does not specify content prompts, so focus on your motivation and readiness for a computational and data journalism conversion course.
What the official page does not confirm
The evidence used here comes from current first‑party official pages. It does not explicitly state that these requirements apply to the 2026/27 academic year. While the research brief identifies the year as 2026/27, you should treat the academic‑year label as requiring live rechecking on the Cardiff University website. The page also does not give a China‑specific percentage for this programme; it only repeats the university‑wide postgraduate taught guideline of approximately 80%.
How to use this information
This article explains what the official Cardiff University pages establish. Before you take any next step, visit the university’s course page to confirm the current academic year, any updates to accepted English language equivalents, and the exact document submission process. If you are comparing study options, you may find it helpful to read about Newcastle University admissions, fees, and rankings.
FAQ
Do I need a computing or journalism background?
No. The Computational and Data Journalism MSc is a conversion course. The official evidence states that no prior knowledge or degree in the subject is required.
What is the minimum Chinese bachelor’s grade?
Cardiff University’s postgraduate taught guidance requires Chinese applicants to have grades of approximately 80% or above in a relevant four‑year bachelor’s degree from a recognised institution.
Can I use an English test other than IELTS?
Yes. Cardiff University accepts a variety of English language tests and academic qualifications as equivalents to IELTS. The official page does not list every accepted test, so you must check the university’s latest English language equivalencies.
How long should my personal statement be?
Your personal statement should be no more than 500 words. The official page does not give a minimum word count.
Is a 2:2 degree enough for Chinese applicants?
The programme requires a 2:2 honours degree or equivalent. For Chinese applicants, the university translates this as approximately 80% or above in a relevant four‑year bachelor’s degree. You must also meet the English language requirement.
Official sources
The information in this article is drawn from the current first‑party official pages of Cardiff University. For broader context on choosing between an agent and a DIY approach, see Related guide 1. If you are considering fee structures, you may also want to read Related guide 2 and Related guide 3.