Cardiff University

Cardiff University - An overview

Going to university is a big step and at Cardiff University we take our biggest steps together. In the bustling capital city of Cardiff, you’ll find a thriving and vibrant hub of the brightest minds working together to solve the world’s biggest and smallest problems at Wales’ only Russell Group university.

When you study with us, we’ll do everything we can to support your learning. We’ll help you take a deep dive into subjects and topics that you want to explore in new and exciting ways. We’ll empower you to use your talent, develop your knowledge and pursue your passions while offering a range of support and guidance to help you settle into university life.

Most of all, we look forward to welcoming you to our close-knit community where, together, we’ll work hard to build a better future for you and the wider world. Together, we can.

Students’ Union

At Cardiff University you won’t simply benefit from being a part of a team who are working together to change the world – but you’ll also get to enjoy the incredible facilities we have in place to help our students succeed.

Our Students’ Union was recently voted 2nd best SU in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2024. Spanning the Cathays and Heath Park campuses, the Students’ Union has its HQ in a purpose-build facility in the centre of Cardiff that houses cafes, shops, bars, a letting agency, a Post Office, 24-hour flexible study spaces & much more.

Student support

A brand new £50m Centre for Student Life is home to a range of services providing easy access to any support you may need with your studies, health & wellbeing, preparing for your future, managing your money & living in Cardiff.

Our campus is set up to offer you 24/7 support with whatever you need. Financial advice, careers advice, a little extra support with your mental wellbeing; we are here to help you to live your best student life.

Accommodation

When you join us, our goal is to help you find your home away from home, and we have a range of comfy accommodation options to meet your needs.

All our accommodation is in walking or cycling distance of the city centre and the hub of student life. We’ve got 16 residences sites spread across our campus, including our largest complex, Talybont – affectionately known as ‘Taly’ – which is near Cathays campus and found as close to the sports hall and hockey pitch as you can get. We also have accommodation located close to our Heath Park Campus.

We want you to feel at home during your time with us, so we have different options for different needs. There are spaces if you’re looking to live with Welsh speakers, if you want quieter living, accessible options, single gender spaces, dedicated accommodation for LGBT+ students and options with catering provided too. If you have any specific requirements, particularly due to a disability or medical condition, let us know and we’ll work with you to find the best choice.

Going to university can feel exciting and nerve-wracking in equal measure so we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our Residence Life team is made up of students and staff who run weekly activities, like board games evenings and crafts and coffee for a chilled night in, and they’ll help you settle into your home away from home from your very first day.

If you accept your offer of study at Cardiff University on a firm or insurance basis, you’re guaranteed a single occupancy space in university accommodation during your first year providing you meet certain deadlines.

Cardiff: the capital city of Wales

As cities come, Cardiff has it all. Large enough to house all the facilities you’d expect from a capital, it’s also intimate enough to retain its unique character, charm and warmth. It’s a proudly diverse city with big ambition and even bigger heart. And when you visit us, you’ll soon discover why Cardiff was voted the friendliest city in the UK (Conde Nast, 2023).

Whatever you’re into, you’ll find it here, because Cardiff has cafes, pubs and venues around every corner. You’ll have the choice of major musicals or indie Welsh plays, international rugby or white-water rafting, arena concerts or open mic nights, as well as comedy clubs, museums, cinemas, galleries and more.

Our city is made for you, from maker’s markets to vintage shops, street food and nightlife, outdoor adventures and quiet spaces – it’s not hard to see why our students fall in love with Cardiff. We’re sure you will too.

Reasons to love Cardiff

Careers and Employability

When you graduate from Cardiff University, you'll join a game-changing global network of graduates. In fact, we’re ranked 12th in the UK for employability in the Global University Employability Ranking (Times Higher Education, 2024).

We provide careers and employability support you from day one, helping you with everything from CV writing and interviews to finding work experience and internships.

Your time at Cardiff will be the start of a new chapter and a stepping stone towards your future. Whether you’re got your heart set on a chosen career or you’re open to ideas when you graduate, we’ll help you on your way.

Our Student Futures team provides personal, subject-specific support, offering guidance on everything from building a great CV and learning to job search effectively, to interview preparation and practical help for starting your career.

Through online support, in-person workshops, daily drop-ins and 1:1 appointments, help is available to get you wherever you want to be.

Our network is your network.

Schools and colleges outreach visits

Our experienced team typically make over 300 school visits every year to provide advice, guidance and an insight into higher education to students, in small or whole year-groups, as well as parents and teachers.

Higher education presentations – virtual and in-person

We offer a range of free higher education presentations designed to offer guidance and support to prospective students. The sessions can be tailored to suit your timetable during the school days or in the evening and are suitable for Year 12 and 13 audiences as well as parents. Talks can be delivered live in-person or virtually. Alternatively, we can send a generic or bespoke pre-recorded copy to be shared with students. To find out more, visit our schools and college outreach pages on our website or email us at [email protected] to secure your chosen date.

Presentation topics include:

Applying for healthcare courses – the alternatives to Medicine
Applying to Medicine and Dentistry
Applying to competitive universities
Choosing your course and University
Getting ready for University
How to apply: the UCAS application
Introduction to higher education
Student finance explained
Student life
University interviews – what to expect
Why study at Cardiff University
A Parent’s Guide to higher education

Teachers, parents, and students can also book onto our Undergraduate Open Days and virtual events.

Cardiff: One of the top 10 most beautiful universities in the UK

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Forthcoming events

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A Parent's Guide to Higher Education Cardiff University Our parent’s guide to higher education presentation offers a general overview of higher education and discusses key issues ranging from application deadlines and personal statement advice to student finance and student support options.

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Applying for healthcare courses - the alternatives to Medicine Cardiff University Students interested in a career in the healthcare profession have a range of options available to them including Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Radiography and Radiotherapy. Our session will touch upon course features, the selection process, entry requirements and NHS funding opportunities available to those who study in W

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Applying to competitive universities Cardiff University This presentation will explore the benefits and provide tips for applying to competitive universities, giving an insight to what we look for in an application.

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Applying to Medicine and Dentistry Cardiff University Medicine and Dentistry are renowned for being competitive courses. With tests like the UCAT, interviews and work experience, it is important to be prepared. In addition to discussing the course styles, we also provide an overview of the Cardiff University course content alongside advice and guidance on the admissions process.

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Choosing your course and University Cardiff University With over 50,000 courses to choose from, students can face a difficult decision when deciding a course and university. We look at the benefits of going to university and explore the questions that students should be asking – with a focus on the four C’s: course, campus, career and city.

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Getting ready for University Cardiff University Going to university is a massive step for lots of people. We will discuss the next steps after submitting your UCAS application and what to do if things don't go to plan. We will also share tips on getting ready for university, including details about budgeting, student discounts and accommodation.

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How to apply - the UCAS application Cardiff University We will breakdown the application process, UCAS deadlines, how to apply, the types of offers made and how to respond. We briefly touch upon key considerations when choosing a university but will spend the majority of the time discussing the application form itself, common errors and the personal statement.

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Introduction to higher education Cardiff University Offering a general overview about what university is all about, this session covers key topics such as how to research courses, university teaching methods, student life and finance.

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Student finance explained Cardiff University After touching upon the student loans system, we will also discuss important student finance topics such as budgeting, part-time work opportunities and ways to save money whilst studying.

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Student life Cardiff University Our student life session discusses student expectations vs. reality and provides students with an insight into what they can expect at university. It covers a range of topics from arriving at university and studying to lifestyle and budgeting. It provides tips on how to make the most of student life.

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University interviews - what to expect Cardiff University Taking part in interviews can seem like a daunting experience for many students but being prepared can help to put their nerves at ease. This presentation discusses the different types of interviews, preparation advice and common errors to avoid.

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Why study at Cardiff University Cardiff University From our thriving capital city location to our academic and research excellence, Cardiff University has much to offer. This session will discuss what students can expect of the University and the city. It covers topics ranging from our academic excellence and university facilities to global opportunities and capital city location.

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Cardiff University