Cardiff University

Summary

History

Cardiff University was created out of the Aberdare Report of 1881 leading, in 1883, to the foundation of the University College in South Wales and Monmouthshire. Along with two other colleges, it became one of the founding institutions of the University of Wales which began awarding their own degrees in 1893.

The university has a history of commitment to equal opportunities for men and women of all backgrounds, with the highest value entrance scholarship offered to a student in 1883 given to a female.

The university has expanded in recent years due to two mergers. In 1988, the university merged with the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology, and in 2004, the university merged with the University of Wales College of Medicine. In 1996 the college was granted full independent degree awarding powers. Cardiff University left the University of Wales in 2005.

University Environment

The main campus is situated at Cathays Park, adjacent to the city centre and Bute Park. The majority of our Academic Schools can be found here, with the advantage of only being a few minutes’ walk from the city centre.

The three Academic Schools offering healthcare courses (excluding Optometry and Pharmacy) are based at the nearby Heath Park Campus. The Heath Park Campus is also home to the 900-bed University Hospital of Wales, which provides an ideal environment for teaching healthcare professionals in a modern clinical setting.

University accommodation is scattered around the city, none more than a mile from the main campus.

The University is currently investing £600m in upgrading the campus. This includes a £300m project to transform a disused railway yard into an innovative research space; spending £260m on teaching, learning and student experience; and investing £40m in initiatives to promote growth in the economy and industry.

Academics

Colleges & Schools

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

• Cardiff Business School
• School of Planning and Geography
• School of English, Communication and Philosophy
• School of History, Archaeology and Religion
• School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies
• School of Law and Politics
• School of Modern Languages
• School of Music
• School of Social Sciences
• School of Welsh

College of Biomedical and Life Science

• School of Biosciences
• School of Dentistry
• School of Healthcare Studies
• School of Medicine
• School of Optometry and Vision Sciences
• School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• School of Psychology
• Wales Deanery (PGMDE)

College of Physical Sciences and Engineering

• Welsh School of Architecture
• School of Chemistry
• School of Computer Science & Informatics
• School of Earth & Ocean Sciences
• School of Engineering
• School of Mathematics
• School of Physics & Astronomy

Research

In the 2014 REF Cardiff did exceptionally well, with 87% of their research being assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent (as compared to 60% in the 2008 RAE). Civil and Construction Engineering was ranked 1st in the UK in terms of quality, while Psychology, Psychiatry and Neuroscience and Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management was ranked 2nd in the UK in terms of quality. Modern Languages and Linguistics was ranked 1st in the UK in terms of impact.

Research at Cardiff includes drug development to major clinical trials embodied in their "bench to bedside" strategy. The university is also currently looking into sustainable alternatives to industrial processes and energy production to complement climate change, and bringing improvements to ecosystems around the globe, through the designing of instruments.

The Cardiff Research programme provides students with unique opportunities to sample live research, enhance their academic skills and make a more informed decision on furthering their research at postgraduate level. The programme provides funding to participate in the research activity of the university through extra-curricular activities linked to staff research interests.

International & Industry Opportunities

There are opportunities available for a period of study or work for 2-12 months in Europe as part of the Erasmus+ exchange programme, with the University linked to well-established universities in 20 European countries, as well as exchange opportunities in countries further afield.

The Global Opportunity Centre organises summer programmes which include study, work and volunteering opportunities. These short-term placements take place in a variety of locations around the world and last a minimum of four weeks. Bursaries are provided to students to help cover the costs of going abroad.

In addition, some courses offer industrial attachments where the students spend a period in industry to gain experience and expertise.

      ----- Select Course ------(International) Architectural Engineering FT MEng(International) Architectural Engineering FT MEng(International) Civil Engineering FT MEng(International) Civil Engineering FT MEng(International) Civil and Environmental Engineering FT MEng(International) Civil and Environmental Engineering FT MEng(International) Electrical & Electronic Engineering FT MEng(International) Electrical & Electronic Engineering FT MEng(International) Integrated Engineering FT MEng(International) Integrated Engineering FT MEng(International) Mechanical Engineering FT MEng(International) Mechanical Engineering FT MEng(International) Medical Engineering FT MEng(International) Medical Engineering FT MEngAccounting FT BScAccounting FT BScAccounting and Finance FT BScAccounting and Finance FT BScAncient History FT BAAncient History and French FT BAAncient History and German FT BAAncient History and History FT BAAncient History and Italian FT BAAncient History and Spanish FT BAAncient and Medieval History FT BAApplied Software Engineering FT BScArchaeology FT BAArchaeology FT BScArchaeology and Ancient History FT BAArchaeology and French FT BAArchaeology and German FT BAArchaeology and History FT BAArchaeology and Italian FT BAArchaeology and Medieval History FT BAArchitectural Engineering FT BEngArchitectural Engineering FT BEngArchitectural Engineering FT MEngArchitectural Engineering FT MEngArchitectural Engineering with Year in Europe (France) FT MEngArchitectural Engineering with Year in Europe (Germany) FT MEngArchitectural Engineering with Year in Europe (Spain) FT MEngArchitecture FT MArchAstrophysics FT BScAstrophysics FT MPhysBanking and Finance FT BScEconBanking and Finance FT BScEconBanking and Finance with a European Language (French) FT BScBanking and Finance with a European Language (German) FT BScBanking and Finance with a European Language (Spanish) FT BScBiochemistry FT BScBiochemistry FT BScBiochemistry FT BScBiochemistry FT BScBiochemistry FT MBiochemBiochemistry FT MBiochemBiological Sciences (Zoology) FT BScBiological Sciences (Zoology) FT BScBiological Sciences (Zoology) FT BScBiological Sciences (Zoology) FT BScBiological Sciences FT BScBiological Sciences FT BScBiological Sciences FT BScBiological Sciences FT BScBiological Sciences FT MBiolBiological Sciences FT MBiolBiomedical Science FT BScBiomedical Science FT BScBiomedical Science FT BScBiomedical Science FT BScBiomedical Sciences FT MBiomedBiomedical Sciences FT MBiomedBusiness Economics FT BScEconBusiness Economics FT BScEconBusiness Economics with a European Language (French) FT BScBusiness Economics with a European Language (German) FT BScBusiness Economics with a European Language (Spanish) FT BScBusiness Management(Human Resource Management) FT BScBusiness Management (Human Resource Management) FT BScBusiness Management (International Management) FT BScBusiness Management (International Management) FT BScBusiness Management (Logistics and Operations) FT BScBusiness Management (Logistics and Operations) FT BScBusiness Management (Marketing) FT BScBusiness Management (Marketing) FT BScBusiness Management FT BScBusiness Management FT BScBusiness Management with Welsh FT BScBusiness Management with Welsh with a Professional Placement Year FT BScBusiness Management with a European Language (French) FT BScBusiness Management with a European Language (German) FT BScBusiness Management with a European Language (Spanish) FT BScBusiness Studies and Japanese FT BScChemistry FT BScChemistry FT BScChemistry FT MChemChemistry FT MChemChemistry with a Placement Year Abroad FT BScChemistry with a Placement Year Abroad FT MChemChemistry with a Year in Industry FT BScChinese FT BACivil & Environmental Engineering FT BEngCivil Engineering FT BEngCivil Engineering FT BEngCivil Engineering FT MEngCivil Engineering FT MEngCivil Engineering with Year in Europe (France) FT MEngCivil Engineering with Year in Europe (Germany) FT MEngCivil Engineering with Year in Europe (Spain) FT MEngCivil and Environmental Engineering (Germany) FT MEngCivil and Environmental Engineering FT BEngCivil and Environmental Engineering FT MEngCivil and Environmental Engineering FT MEngCivil and Environmental Engineering with Year in Europe (France) FT MEngCivil and Environmental Engineering with Year in Europe (Spain) FT MEngComputer Science FT BScComputer Science FT BScComputer Science FT MSciComputer Science with High Performance Computing FT BScComputer Science with High Performance Computing FT BScComputer Science with High Performance Computing with a Year of Study Abroad FT BScComputer Science with Security and Forensics FT BScComputer Science with Security and Forensics FT BScComputer Science with Security and Forensics with a Year of Study Abroad FT BScComputer Science with Visual Computing FT BScComputer Science with Visual Computing FT BScComputer Science with Visual Computing with a Year of Study Abroad FT BScComputer Science with a Year in Industry FT MSciComputer Science with a Year of Study Abroad FT BScComputer Science with a Year of Study Abroad FT MSciConservation of Objects in Museums and Archaeology FT BScCriminology FT BScCriminology and Social Policy FT BScCriminology and Sociology FT BScDental Hygiene FT DipHEDental Surgery FT BDSDental Surgery FT BDSDental Therapy and Dental Hygiene FT BScDiagnostic Radiography and Imaging FT BScEconomics FT BScEconEconomics and Finance FT BScEconEconomics and Finance FT BScEconEconomics and Management Studies FT BScEconEconomics and Management Studies FT BScEconEconomics with a European Language (French) FT BScEconomics with a European Language (German) FT BScEconomics with a European Language (Spanish) FT BScEconomics with a Professional Placement Year FT BScEconEducation FT BScElectrical and Electronic Engineering FT BEngElectrical and Electronic Engineering FT BEngElectrical and Electronic Engineering FT MEngElectrical and Electronic Engineering FT MEngEngineering FT BEngEnglish Language FT BAEnglish Language and French FT BAEnglish Language and German FT BAEnglish Language and Italian FT BAEnglish Language and Linguistics FT BAEnglish Language and Literature FT BAEnglish Language and Philosophy FT BAEnglish Language and Spanish FT BAEnglish Literature FT BAEnglish Literature and Ancient History FT BAEnglish Literature and Archaeology FT BAEnglish Literature and Creative Writing FT BAEnglish Literature and History FT BAEnglish Literature and Philosophy FT BAEnvironmental Geography (Rhyngwladol) FT MESciEnvironmental Geography FT BScEnvironmental Geography FT MESciEnvironmental Geoscience (International) FT MESciEnvironmental Geoscience FT BScEnvironmental Geoscience FT BScEnvironmental Geoscience FT MESciExploration and Resource Geology (International) FT MESciExploration and Resource Geology FT BScExploration and Resource Geology FT BScExploration and Resource Geology FT MESciFinancial Mathematics FT BScFinancial Mathematics with A Year of Study Abroad FT BScFinancial Mathematics with a Professional Placement Year FT BScFrench FT BAFrench and Economics FT BAFrench and English Literature FT BAFrench and German FT BAFrench and Italian FT BAFrench and Japanese FT BAFrench and Music FT BAFrench and Philosophy FT BAFrench and Politics FT BAFrench and Portuguese FT BAFrench and Spanish FT BAGeography (Human) and Planning (Accredited) with a Professional Placement Year FT BScGeography (Human) and Planning FT BScGeology (International) FT MESciGeology FT BScGeology FT MESciGerman And Portuguese FT BAGerman FT BAGerman and Economics FT BAGerman and English Literature FT BAGerman and Italian FT BAGerman and Japanese FT BAGerman and Music FT BAGerman and Politics FT BAGerman and Spanish FT BAHistory FT BAHistory and Economics FT BAHistory and French FT BAHistory and German FT BAHistory and Italian FT BAHistory and Spanish FT BAHistory with Welsh History FT BAHuman Geography FT BScHuman Geography FT BScHuman and Social Sciences FT BScIntegrated Engineering FT BEngIntegrated Engineering FT BEngIntegrated Engineering FT MEngIntegrated Engineering FT MEngIntegrated Engineering with Year in Europe (France) FT MEngIntegrated Engineering with Year in Europe (Germany) FT MEngIntegrated Engineering with Year in Europe (Spain) FT MEngInternational Relations FT BScEconInternational Relations and Politics (with a Language) FT BScEconInternational Relations and Politics FT BScEconItalian FT BAItalian and Economics FT BAItalian and English Literature FT BAItalian and Japanese FT BAItalian and Music FT BAItalian and Philosophy FT BAItalian and Politics FT BAItalian and Portuguese FT BAItalian and Spanish FT BAJournalism, Communications and Politics FT BAJournalism, Media and English Literature" FT BAJournalism Media and Sociology FT BAJournalism and Communications FT BALaw FT LLBLaw and Criminology FT LLBLaw and French FT LLBLaw and Politics FT LLBLaw and Sociology FT LLBLaw and Welsh FT LLBMarine Geography (International) FT MESciMarine Geography FT BScMarine Geography FT BScMarine Geography FT MESciMaster of Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics FT MMathMaster of Mathematics, Operational Research and Statistics with a Year of Study Abroad (MMORS) FT MMathMathematics, Operational Research and Statistics with a Professional Placement Year FT MMORSMathematics FT BScMathematics FT BScMathematics FT MMathMathematics FT MMathMathematics FT MMathMathematics Operational Research and Statistics FT BScMathematics Operational Research and Statistics FT BScMathematics Operational Research and Statistics FT BScMathematics and Music FT BAMathematics and Music FT BAMathematics and Physics FT BScMathematics and Physics with a Year of Study Abroad FT BScMathematics with a Professional Placement Year FT BScMechanical Engineering FT BEngMechanical Engineering FT BEngMechanical Engineering FT MEngMechanical Engineering FT MEngMechanical Engineering with Year in Europe (France) FT MEngMechanical Engineering with Year in Europe (Germany) FT MEngMechanical Engineering with Year in Europe (Spain) FT MEngMedia, Journalism and Culture FT BAMedia and Communications FT BAMedical Engineering FT BEngMedical Engineering FT BEngMedical Engineering FT MEngMedical Engineering FT MEngMedical Pharmacology Science Route FT BScMedicine (Graduate Entry) FT MBBChMedicine FT MBBChMedicine FT MBBChMedicine North Wales FT MBBChMidwifery FT BMidModern Chinese FT BAModern Languages and Translation FT BAMusic FT BAMusic FT BAMusic FT BMusMusic FT BMusMusic and English Literature FT BAMusic and History FT BAMusic and Philosophy FT BANeuroscience FT BScNeuroscience FT BScNeuroscience FT MNeuroNeuroscience with Preliminary Year and Professional Training Year FT BScNeuroscience with Professional Training Year FT BScNeuroscience with Professional Training Year FT MNeuroNursing (Adult) FT BNNursing (Child) FT BNNursing (Mental Health) FT BNOccupational Therapy FT BScOperating Department Practice FT BScOptometry FT BScOptometry FT BScPharmacy FT MPharmPhilosophy FT BAPhilosophy and Ancient History FT BAPhilosophy and Archaeology FT BAPhilosophy and Economics FT BAPhilosophy and History FT BAPhysics FT BScPhysics FT BScPhysics FT MPhysPhysics FT MPhysPhysics with Astronomy FT BScPhysics with Astronomy FT BScPhysics with Astronomy FT MPhysPhysics with Astronomy FT MPhysPhysics with Medical Physics FT BScPhysiotherapy FT BScPolitics FT BScEconPolitics and Economics FT BScEconPolitics and Modern History FT BScEconPolitics and Philosophy FT BAPolitics and Sociology FT BScEconPolitics and Spanish FT BAPortuguese and Spanish FT BAPsychology FT BScPsychology FT BScRadiotherapy and Oncology FT BScReligion and Theology FT BAReligious Studies and Ancient History FT BAReligious Studies and Archaeology FT BAReligious Studies and English Literature FT BAReligious Studies and German FT BAReligious Studies and History FT BAReligious Studies and Italian FT BAReligious Studies and Music FT BAReligious Studies and Philosophy FT BAReligious Studies and Politics FT BAReligious Studies and Spanish FT BASocial Analytics FT BScSocial Science FT BScSociology FT BScSociology and Education FT BScSociology and History FT BScEconSociology and Social Policy FT BScSpanish FT BASpanish and Economics FT BASpanish and English Literature FT BASpanish and Japanese FT BASpanish and Philosophy FT BATranslation FT BAWelsh FT BAWelsh and Education FT BAWelsh and English Language FT BAWelsh and English Literature FT BAWelsh and French FT BAWelsh and History FT BAWelsh and Italian FT BAWelsh and Journalism FT BAWelsh and Music FT BAWelsh and Philosophy FT BAWelsh and Politics FT BAWelsh and Religious Studies FT BAWelsh and Spanish FT BAWelsh and the Professional Workplace FT BAin Urban Planning and Development FT BScin Urban Planning and Development FT BSc

Fees & Finance

Scholarships

The Cardiff University Scholarship is worth £3,000 as a non-means-tested cash payment. Students are automatically considered for an award if they have achieved AAA at A-level (or equivalent) and Cardiff is their firm choice.

35 Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol scholarships of £3,000 over 3 years are available to undergraduates studying at least 66% of their course through the medium of Welsh.

There are further scholarships available for students on specific undergraduate courses.

Bursaries

The Cardiff University Bursary of £1,000 is available for UK students liable to £9,000 tuition fees and from households where the total assessed income is less than £35,000.

There are further bursaries available for students depending on their circumstances.

Facilities

Learning Facilities

The University boasts 13 libraries spread throughout both campuses with access to over 1.3 million printed books and 21,000 journals. Support within the library includes ‘Ask a Librarian Live’ instant messaging service where you can chat online to a member of the library staff. There are also almost 3,000 individual and study group spaces, with a number of IT rooms open 24 hours a day, as well as widespread WiFi access.

The university employs a virtual learning environment which provides online support for learning, studying and collaboration.

Sporting Facilities

The University boasts four sporting sites located across both campuses.

The Sports Training Village is a modern multi-purpose sports hall hosting the majority of indoor sports clubs and is complemented by a range of indoor and outdoor facilities.

The Fitness and Conditioning Centre offers a friendly and personal approach to health and fitness with services, providing personal training, individual programme design, fitness testing and nutrition advice.

A choice of fitness classes is held in the modern dance Studio 49, close to the University Main Building and Students Union.

The university’s sports fields consist of 33 acres of grass pitches and wickets. The sports fields are often used for training for international football and rugby squads and hosted the pre-games training for the Olympic football (2012) that took place at the Millennium Stadium.

There are 60 sports clubs ranging from traditional sports, such as rugby, football, cricket or tennis, to martial arts, motorsport and watersports. Many clubs compete against other universities in the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) competition.

Students' Union

Students’ Union

Cardiff Students’ Union is rated one of the top 4 in the UK according to Which? University Student Survey 2017.

The Students’ Union has more than 200 societies and 65 sports clubs catering for interests ranging from politics, culture, religion, and charity work. It has an active student media community, giving any budding journalists the opportunity to develop their skills, including the student newspaper, Gair Rhydd, student lifestyle magazine, Quench, student radio, Xpress Radio, and Cardiff Union TV, CUTV.

The Student's Union building boasts a range of food outlets offering a variety of hot and cold food; outlet such as Burrito Brothers, Bubble Boba, the Taf Bar, Y Plas, etc. Also located in the building is a bank, a letting agency, Blackwell bookshop, a hairdresser and a print centre.

The University's Great Hall is a 1,600 capacity venue that hosts concerts throughout the year, and can transform into a lecture theatre, exhibition space, exam hall and is one of Cardiff’s prime venues for live music.

The Student’s Union’s Skill Development Service (SDS) offers a range of training courses and sessions designed to help you build confidence, improve transferable skills and increase employability, this with the added bonus of gaining certification. The Student’s Union Jobshop offers a dedicated service for students looking to find temporary work that fits around their studies.

Cardiff Volunteering is one of the UK's largest student led volunteering organisations. It offers a wide variety of different and exciting projects for you to choose from, which you can fit around your University schedule, ranging from one-off event, weekly, monthly and summer volunteering opportunities. Projects including working with children and young people with a disability, working in a homeless drop-in centre, helping people with mental health problems, and working with adults with learning disabilities in a community garden.

Student Support

Religion & Spirituality

The University has a multi-faith chaplaincy offering opportunities for students and staff to relax and explore their faith and spirituality. It can also provide you information about all the churches, synagogues, temples and other places of worship around Cardiff.

The chaplains provide advice and care, support student groups and organise regular programmes of worship, lectures and social justice outreach, as well as fun events open to all. This diverse chaplaincies are at the service of the University community, helping students to settle in and meet new people.

There are various religious societies in the Students’ Union representing different faiths which you can join including, the Islamic, Jewish and Christian Societies.

There is a number of quiet rooms on both the Cathays and Heath Park campuses for individual prayer and reflection, meditation, contemplation or just quiet time. There is also a quiet room available every day during term-time in the Students’ Union.

Health & Wellbeing

The University Counselling and Wellbeing service offers a wide range of support to students, including wellbeing and counselling appointments, interactive workshops, courses and groups. It can offer counselling appointments in person, over the phone, or via webcam, instant messaging or email. There is also a daily drop-in service that you can attend without making an appointment. Each session is 15 minutes, and a member of the team will be available to advise about the services they can offer or helping you to select self-help materials to take away with you.

Counselling and Wellbeing service organises a range of informative, interactive one-off workshops on various subjects and difficulties commonly faced by students, including self-management and team-working, dealing with worry and presentation anxiety and stress management.

The University’s Disability and Dyslexia Service offers information and guidance to current and prospective disabled students. It further supports disabled students in a number of ways, for example screening and assessments, a Study Skills Service, a Support Worker Service, and assistance with the organisation of specific examination support. In addition, there are dedicated mental health advisers who are able to offer advice and guidance if you have a long-term mental health condition.

Career Facilities

The University Careers and Employability service is readily available to assist you with developing and achieving your career goals. The Careers & Employability Centre includes comprehensive library facilities and careers information, vacancy information for student and graduate jobs, a professional team of specialist career consultants and advisers linked to academic schools and available for consultation, and a wide range of group sessions and workshops covering career choice, job search, applications, interview procedures and assessment centres.

During each academic year, a series of career fairs are held, from large scale generalist recruitment events aimed at students from any discipline, to themed events that target specific sectors such as Engineering & Technology, Finance, and Law. The centre encourages students to develop a wide range of employability skills including aspects of self-management, team working, problem solving, business and customer awareness, communication and literacy, numeracy and IT.

Students involved in extra-curricular activities and work experience can participate in the Cardiff Award Programme. This programme provides a formal recognition of employability skills gained during these activities, increases self-awareness and confidence, and ultimately makes participants more employable. In addition the University organises work experience opportunities for all disciplines with a range of employers, public and third sector organisations. These include short term unpaid periods of work experience, to paid summer placements. Furthermore, if students are interested in being self-employed or developing an idea for a business or social enterprise, Student Enterprise helps find business mentors, provides free office space, runs business workshops and helps to get you started.

Accommodation

Both catered and self-catered accommodation is available at Cardiff and all halls of residence are within walking distance to the University. There are a range of rooms to suit all needs and budgets. 

International

Scholarships

The Vice-Chancellor's International Scholarships are offered to new self-funding international undergraduate students across a wide range of subject areas. The awards are from £2,000 in the form of a tuition fee discount. International applicants holding offers for selected undergraduate programmes will automatically be eligible for the Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship. This means you do not need to submit a separate application to be considered for an award.

Cardiff University is a partner university of The Beacon Scholarship scheme. The scholarship is awarded to students from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, studying a 3-4 year undergraduate course (excluding medicine). In this scheme, the tuition and maintenance fees are split three ways - a third coming from the university partner, a third from Beacon, and a third from the scholar's parents, sponsor or guardians. The programme includes leadership training and development, an away and home country mentor network, and a goal-setting performance management system.

English Language Requirements

If you are an international student and your first language is not English, then you must have a proven level of English to study for your course. The level of English required will depend on the course, but typically the University asks for the grades shown below.

International Support

Facilities at the International Student Support Service include advice and information on living in Cardiff before you leave your country, a collection service from Heathrow and Cardiff airports, and an Induction Programme which includes various events aimed to introduce you to the university, the city of Cardiff and surrounding areas.

The English Language Programmes’ In-sessional team provides English language support for current international students.

Media

Testimonies

Marcus Leong, studying Mechanical Engineering from Malaysia

I am an international student studying Mechanical Engineering at Cardiff University, and am going back for my final year. At first, I was worried as I had not been away from home without any parental support before. But looking back, I can safely say that Cardiff University made my assimilation into university life much easier!

There were pamphlets and brochures on information regarding Cardiff city, and also nearest convenience shops etc. all in a 'student pack'. I found this very useful. People in Cardiff are also very friendly, cab drivers are polite and it is also very easy to go anywhere as many will save their preferred cab companies on speed dial. If you wanted to save a bit of money, then walk! Cardiff is quite scenic and is pretty accessible by foot. Another alternative would be buying a bus ticket. Tickets cost 1.50quid one way or 3.00quid for a day pass.

Cardiff University is great place to do an engineering course. The lecturers are very professional and also the contents covered are very in depth. One thing I really like about CU Engin is that it is compulsory to have a 'Professional Development Folder'. This PDP folder houses your CV, and previous accomplishments, examples of coursework etc. I find that this will be useful in the future for job interviews. Also, I initially was on a 3 year course but decided to continue doing my Masters course at CU. The staff were very helpful with my visa application and it all went well and smooth sailing.

There are some things that I do not like about going to university in the UK, namely the binge drinking culture. It is terrible.

As for things to bring from home, please do not bring anything! I made the mistake of bringing so much things over during my first year, I could have well been prepared for WW3! It is much easier to just purchase things from the supermarket, and you will buy things like kitchen utensils, cooking apparatus etc as you need it instead of bringing everything and then end up likely not to be using it.