10 Good Reasons to Choose Cardiff University
International Recognition
Cardiff University has joined the very top tier of leading British research universities as a member of the prestigious ‘Russell Group’, and attracts world-leading academic and research staff. In 2008, Professor Sir Martin Evans of the School of Biosciences was awarded the Nobel prize for Medicine, and Professor Julian Sampson of the Department of Medical Genetics won the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Medicine. Both major research accolades in the field of medical science.
Your Choice, Your Prospects
Cardiff University offers a very wide number of schemes and a modular system that provides choice and flexibility. Many of Cardiff’s degree schemes have vocational and professional content, designed to provide students with the skills employers need. The University is a major centre for many professional courses including Architecture, Journalism, Law, Optometry, Town Planning and Pharmacy and a wide range of healthcare courses.
Exceptional Learning Facilities
Cardiff University has one of the most up-to-date library and computing services in the UK. The University has a high number of Resource Centres, each one close to the School it serves. Students are able to access a large collection of computers, day and night, which allow free access to e-mail, the internet and online resources.
Attractive Location
The University is based in and around the city’s beautiful civic centre. University buildings, student residences, the main shopping centre, and sports and social facilities are often within walking distance of each other. You will find Cardiff very accessible by rail, road and air with London only two hours away from Cardiff by train and with easy connections to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. Cardiff also has its own international airport.
Guaranteed Accommodation
Cardiff University guarantees a single occupancy place in University Residences to first year overseas students as long as you apply through the normal admissions cycle. Cardiff University also guarantees a single occupancy place in University Residences to overseas returning students as long as you apply through the overseas returners process. The University offers a wide range of residences, each with its own advantages, from traditional catered halls to modern self-catering flats. 70% or study bedrooms have private shower facilities and some rooms also have computer network connection points.
Friendly, Affordable City
Cardiff is an excellent city in which to live and study. The city is compact, yet has a wide range of facilities to keep you entertained. Many of the attractions of the city are within walking distance of each other, and are close to the main University buildings. Cardiff has an excellent shopping city with a wide choice of shops, catering for a range of budgets. It has all the amenities that you would expect from a capital city including cinemas, theatres, concert venues and comedy clubs - many offering student discounts. The city is multi-cultural and has a wide range range of restaurants serving food from around the world and many shops selling food for all tastes. Visit Cardiff Bay, one of Europe’s most exciting waterfront developments, which is only a very short bus or train journey away from the city centre.
Extensive Academic and Pastoral Support
Should any problems arise during your studies, you can be confident that there will be someone here to help. Each student is assigned a personal tutor who will be your contact to help with any problems that may arise. Support and advice are also available from the International Office, Students’ Union, the Residences Office and the Student Services Division. Help may include: Study skills classes and special classes for international students on your degree scheme; advice on English language support and extra help after lectures; computing courses; welfare advice and help with finding accommodation.
Your Welcome
We want your stay to be as enjoyable and productive as possible. Therefore, from the moment you apply you will be dealing with friendly staff who are here to help you. The International Office will provide a free coach service to collect you from Heathrow airport in the week prior to enrolment, organise a range of activities in the week following your arrival which will help you settle in, be at hand to answer any questions you may have and offer you support wherever possible.
A Great Social Life
Cardiff is a city that has a lot to offer, and there are a variety of activities you will be able to get involved in during your spare time. We cater for students with a variety of interests from sports to rambling; cinema evenings to photography. The Students’ Union has over 100 student clubs and societies, including a number of societies specifically for international students.
Excellent Sporting Facilities
The University has excellent sporting facilities located in various sites to ensure that they are accessible to all students. Whether you wish to play football, badminton or cricket, there are facilities available to do so. The University gymnasium has also recently expanded to an additional facility along Senghennydd Road with state of the art cardio equipment for fitness buffs. If you also like to enjoy sport as a spectator, the city of Cardiff has a lot to offer. The city is increasingly associated with sport, being home to the 73,0000-seat Millennium Stadium. It will also be hosting the men's and women's football competitions for the 2012 Olympic Games this coming summer. Major concerts that have taken place at the Stadium include Bon Jovi, The Red Hot Chilli Peppers and more recently, Take That in 2011.
To find out more please see www.cardiff.ac.uk/sport