Five places have been reserved for students from Cardiff University

The university has become the first in Europe to partner The Scholar Ship, which makes its maiden voyage in September with 600 students on board.

During the 16-week trip it will visit eight countries on five continents.

The programme is being devised by an international consortium of "academic stewards".

Five places have been reserved for students from Cardiff University which promises to immerse students in a "multicultural living environment".

Cardiff University's semester-based teaching will contribute significantly to the scope and quality of the classes Dr Joseph Olander

The programme is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, and will cost over �5,000 with an opportunity for 50 European applicants to win a scholarship of �2,542 towards the cost.

On board, students will take part in a wide range of academic, cultural, and social activities.

More than 500 applications are already being processed ahead of the April 30 application deadline.

Cardiff has joined the ship's international consortium of academic stewards, which includes the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Ghana.

'Great opportunities'

Home, EU and international students from Cardiff University will have the opportunity to study on the ship as part of their degree programme.

Director of the international development division, Sandra Elliott, said: "Cardiff University's partnership with The Scholar Ship offers great opportunities for creative global study for Cardiff students on the ship and to participate in shaping the academic programmes and research activities of The Scholar Ship."