Cardiff and Wales
Cardiff - The City
A Friendly City
The city of Cardiff offers an excellent location in which to study. Students at Cardiff benefit from the combination of a small, friendly, inexpensive city with the cultural and recreational amenities of an ambitious and progressive capital city. With a population of 315,000, Cardiff does not suffer from overcrowding. Students in Cardiff lead a busy life, both with their academic studies and the social and cultural activities that take place.
One of Europe's Youngest Capital Cities
Cardiff was given city status in 1905, but it was not until 1955 that it was declared the capital city of Wales, making it one of Europe's youngest capitals.
2000 Years of History
The history of Cardiff stretches back over 2000 years to Roman times when the Romans first established a fortified settlement on the banks of the River Taff. One thousand years later the Normans came to Cardiff. The castle, or keep, which can be seen within the modern walls of Cardiff Castle, originates from this time. The city's greatest period of growth began in the 18th century with the development of the coal and iron industries in the South Wales valleys, which led to Cardiff becoming one of the world's greatest coal-exporting ports in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Extensive Parklands
The city benefits from extensive parklands, some of which come right into the city centre itself. Indeed, Cardiff has a greater area of parkland per head of population than any other city in Britain, providing residents with unrivalled opportunities for sports, leisure and relaxation.
A Magnificent Civic Centre
The University is set in Cardiff's magnificent civic centre. With its wide tree-lined avenues, ornamental parklands and white-stoned neo-classical architecture, it provides one of the finest sites of any civic university in Britain. Built at the beginning of the century, it is regarded as a world-ranking example of civic architecture.
Convenient Location
Cardiff is an extremely accessible city, benefiting from excellent road, rail and air communications. Using the hourly high-speed train service, London is reached within two hours. Cardiff has convenient connections to Heathrow and Gatwick airports and the city also benefits from its own international airport. The city is served directly by the M4 motorway providing fast links to the rest of the UK.
Full Range of Social and Leisure Facilities
As a capital city, Cardiff offers excellent opportunities for cultural and social activities. Cardiff is home to the internationally- renowned Welsh National Opera and the National Orchestra of Wales. The New Theatre's programme of events regularly includes touring London musicals, plays and ballet; whilst the Sherman Theatre and Chapter Arts Centre offer an eclectic mix of more contemporary film, dance and drama. 1999 saw Cardiff act as host city for the Rugby World Cup, the last major sporting event of the millennium. The awe-inspiring 72,600 capacity Millennium Stadium dominates the city's skyline. In addition to the sport of rugby, Wales' national sport, the Stadium is the venue for major concerts, the Worthington Cup and the FA Cup final for the next three years. Cardiff is also home to: Glamorgan Cricket Club, based in Sophia Gardens close to the University; Cardiff Rugby Club, one of Europe's leading teams; Cardiff City Association Football Club and the Cardiff Devils Ice Hockey Team.
One of the UK's Greatest Shopping Centres
The compact city centre is known as one of the most attractive regional shopping centres in Britain. Close to the main campus and pedestrianised, the city centre is an accessible source of quality establishments such as Vidal Sassoon, Hennes and Mauritz, Oasis, Virgin Megastore, Jaeger, Marks and Spencers, Monsoon and many other high street names. Department stores and designer labels are only one part of shopping in Cardiff; the city's covered Victorian arcades offer an alternative experience of boutiques, bookshops, coffee-bars, and record shops catering to student tastes and budgets. Cardiff Bay is one of Europe's most exciting waterfront developments
A Multicultural Community
Cardiff offers overseas visitors a multicultural environment in which all nationalities and beliefs are represented and respected. Facilities and community groups representing all major religions may be found close to the University. Within the city centre and its surrounding suburbs, delicatessens, restaurants and ethnic-produce stores provide a source of prepared foods and essential ingredients from Africa, Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Eastern Europe. As one of Britain's first mixed communities, Cardiff offers a relaxed environment where everyone is made welcome.
Affordable Living
Cardiff is known as an affordable capital city. For example, Cardiff has been identified by a British Tourist Authority (BTA) survey as the cheapest capital city for the last nine years. This survey compares 16 capital cities around the world and includes such items as accommodation, travel, food, entertainment, shopping and services.