Cardiff University

University Information, Campus and History
(Cardiff, Wales, UK)

Cardiff University is located in Cardiff, in Wales. It is a Russel Group of Universities member, which is a prestigious group composed of the best research universities in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1883 by the Royal Charter, Cardiff University aims to gain world-class university status and give its students, staff, and business partners the best quality education and benefits.

Cardiff University became a founding university of the University of Wales in 1883. It opened its first residence hall, Aberdare Hall, in 1885. This hall was an all women's residency that paved the way for women to have a university education in Cardiff. The departments of Physiology, Anatomy, Pharmacology, and Pathology were founded in 1893. A few years later in 1904, Millicent McKenzie became the university's first woman professor.

The university's Main Building opened in 1909. However, the intended Great Hall remained just an idea because of lack of funds. Its School of Medicine was founded in 1931 and was known as University College, Cardiff in 1972. However, the school encountered financial problems in 1988 and was forced to merge with the University of Wales Institute of Science in Technology. This merger resulted in the creation of the University of Wales College, Cardiff, whose name was changed in 1996 after amending the University of Wales constitution. Cardiff University was officially born when the Privy Council granted the college full independence in 1997.

The university attracts both local and international students to its civic centre made up of Portland-stone structures, parks, and tree-lined avenues. Each year, an estimated 17% of the student population is made up of international students, while 20% of the students attends postgraduate studies. To further develop its curriculum and attract more students, the university has plans to expand its facilities, which includes the construction of a brain research institute and a new Vision Sciences and Optometry building.

Cardiff University has many facilities including around 4,700 student accommodation rooms which are all in close proximity to the university libraries, lecture theatres, and the students' union. The student accommodation are single, self-catered study rooms and are guaranteed to all freshman undergraduates. The university also has a dedicated network of computers for undergraduate students' research and software application needs. A Graduate Centre gives support and provides amenities to postgraduate students.

In 2003, Cardiff University was nominated for the Sunday Times' University of the Year award. Today, it is considered to be one of the best research and teaching universities in Britain. This civic university houses state-of-the-art facilities and modern teaching and research methods in its four graduate schools: Humanities; Social Sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; and Physical Sciences and Engineering.

Cardiff University provides adult education to over 25,000 students and is composed of over 5,500 staff members. With over 30,000 students and staff, the university is almost equivalent to a small town. It has four graduate schools structured into two colleges: the College of Humanities and Sciences; and the College of Medicine, Biology, Life and Health Sciences. With over 28 academic schools, Cardiff University offers a wide range of courses for every student. The following is the list of academic schools in the university:

Architecture
Biosciences
Business
Chemistry
City and Regional Planning
Computer Science
Dentistry
Earth, Ocean, and Planetary Science
Engineering
English, Communication, and Philosophy
European Studies
Healthcare Studies
History and Archaeology
Journalism, Media, and Cultural Studies
Law
Lifelong Learning
Mathematics
Medicine
Music
Nursing and Midwifery
Optometry and Vision Sciences
Pharmacy
Physics and Astronomy
Postgraduate Medical and Dental Education
Psychology
Religious and Theological Studies
Social Sciences
Welsh

Facilities

Cardiff University has several residence halls including Victoria Hall, Aberconway Hall, Brecknock/Carmarthen House, Aberdare Hall, Cartwright Court, Allensbank House, Colum Hall, Neuadd Meirionnydd, Gordon Hall, Senghennydd Court, Roy Jenkins Hall, and Senghennydd Hall. Talybont is the largest residence hall, and it is located beside Bute Park. The University Hall located north of the university is the second largest residence hall and has over 750 student residents who take advantage of its facilities like a gym, squash court, tennis court, and bar. Many students choose to live off campus, at rental properties around the city. Information about student accommodation.

The university offers sport facilities for both men and women. It also houses the Cardiff University Students' Union, the official organisation of the students. A nightclub, Xpress Radio studios, various shops, and the office of its student newspaper, Free Word, are found in the union building.

For students in need, the university offers support in the following forms: an advisory service, counseling service, disability service, health centre, day care centre, and dyslexia centre.

These centres provide students with confidential advice, academic support, medical assistance, and special support for disabled students. The university has several chaplaincy centres composed of Roman Catholic, Methodist, and Anglican chaplains who offer advice, support, worship programmes, and social events. It also has several Muslim Imams and Jewish Rabbis and a multi-faith prayer room.

Famous Students

Some of Cardiff University's most noted students are politician Brian Wilson, BBC journalist Huw Edwards, author Craig Thomas, CNN news anchor Riz Khan, and ex-labour leader Neil Kinnock.

Prospective students can learn all they need to know from the Cardiff University website. The site offers information on admissions, the application process, degree programmes, and learning resources. It also offers travel directions to the university campus from airports and train stations.

If you would like to know more, you can call them at (0)(29) 2087-4000. You will be directed to the university's main switchboard, from which you can access the specific division or academic school you need. You can also call the admissions office directly at (0)(29) 2087-9999 for undergraduate admissions and (0)(29) 2087-7421 for postgraduate admissions.

If you need help choosing an academic school to apply to or would like to know more about a specific programme, Cardiff University offers module catalogues, programme structures, and course information materials. You can call them at (0)(29) 2087-9444 to request information.

The departments may be difficult to reach in early September, as it is the peak of the enrolment period and most university offices are closed except to students and faculty. For such occasions, the University has an alternate contact number for outside enquiries. You can reach them at (0)(29) 2087-4404 or email them at enrolment@cardiff.ac.uk.

Contact Cardiff University:
Address: Cardiff, CF10 3XQ, Wales, UK
Tel: +44 (0)29 2087 4455 Fax: +44 (0)29 2087 4457 Email: Enquiry@cardiff.ac.uk Website: http://www.cardiff.ac.uk