Undergraduate Prospectus Entry 2020 www.cardiff.ac.uk 1 Welcome from a leading university . “When visiting the uni, I could see myself cycling to lectures, studying with friends, Croeso going out. It was (Croy-so - Welcome) just a penny drop moment.” Cardiff University Applicant Survey, 2018 An international We are proud to university, with be Wales’ only students from Russell more than Group 100 countries University Top 7 Top 5 UK University UK University for its’ Careers for research Service quality Source: Research Excellence Framework, Source: Times Higher Education 2017 see page 18 2 Welcome Hello! I’m pleased to introduce you to Cardiff University. Choosing the right university is a major decision and it’s important that you choose the one that is right for you. Our prospectus describes what it is like to be an undergraduate at Cardiff University in the words of the people who know it best - our students, past and present, and staff. However, a prospectus can only go so far, and the best way to gain an insight into life at Cardiff University is to visit us and experience it for yourself. Whatever your choice, we wish you every success with your studies. Professor Colin Riordan President and Vice-Chancellor 95.7% of our students Contents employed or in Reasons to Love Cardiff 4 Students from Around the World 36 further study A Capital City 8 Location – Campus Maps 38 six months after A Leading University 12 Degree Programmes graduation Building a Successful by Academic School 40 Source: HESA Destinations of Leavers University 16 Survey 2016/17 Further Information 144 Among Brilliant Minds 18 (including application and fee information) Research Informed Teaching 19 General Index 154 “. I just loved it Graduate Success 20 from the moment Degree Subject Index 154 I got there at the Careers and Employability 22 Open Day and this Start Here, Go Anywhere 24 Student Bloggers was only furthered From study tips to where to eat, to Living in Cardiff 26 societies, weekend trips and where to as I experienced get your books, our student bloggers are and saw more of the Meet Our Student Bloggers 29 real students talking about the reality of being a student at Cardiff. university and what Student Services 30 Don’t miss their latest blogs for the it had to offer.” Students’ Union 32 chance to find out more about what it’s like to study and live in Cardiff. Cardiff University Applicant Survey, 2018 Sport 34 www.cardiff.ac.uk/studentbloggers www.cardiff.ac.uk 31 . in a friendly, attractive capital city. “Cardiff is a Cardiff is the thriving and UK’s second attractive capital most city, widely affordable recognised as university city an outstanding Source: NatWest Student Living Index 2018 place to live.” Source: Complete University Guide 2019 “I can imagine living in the city and enjoying spending time with Cardiff University is the people there. I to creating picked out the desk committed I’d work at in the and sustaining a welcoming, law library and the inclusive, accessible and accommodation I’d like to stay in.” friendly environment Cardiff University Applicant Survey, 2018 42 www.cardiff.ac.uk Welcome Come and visit us on an Open Day Come and meet our staff and students, ask Choose from questions, get advice and information, and generally get a feel of what life as a student at 240 Cardiff University is like: sports clubs • Wednesday 27 March and student • Friday 5 July societies • Saturday 14 September • Saturday 26 October To book your place visit: www.cardiff.ac.uk/opendays Or contact the Open Day Office directly: Tel: 029 2087 4455 Email: [email protected] CardiffConnected I leave with a degree but much more in my arsenal. There have been friends, societies, gigs, plays, sporting fixtures and a hundred other moments that I shall prattle on about in years to come. University offers you everything, it really does and sometimes, admittedly, it can be a little too much to jump into from the off. However, with time, when the Compact dust settles and your Breaking Bad Cardiff University is poster is securely blu tacked onto your and safe: plaster board wall, you’ll realise with a new enthusiasm, that you have three committed to creating all your study, years, a new city, new lecturers and new avenues to explore. So, take a chance and sustaining a welcoming, living and on Cardiff – the capital with the most amicable of atmospheres – and drink inclusive, accessible and leisure needs it in! friendly environment within walking Joe distance www.cardiff.ac.uk 53 Reasons to Love Cardiff The capital is 01 our campus Cardiff University is at the heart of a thriving and growing capital city. “From the roar of the home crowds watching rugby at the Principality Stadium to the sunshine of Cardiff Bay, the Welsh capital is known as much for its national pride as its warm welcome for all visitors.” (Times Good University Guide 2018) 02 World-leading research Cardiff is in the top tier of Britain’s We’ve been awarded seven Queen’s research universities and is a member of Anniversary Prizes (which recognise the prestigious Russell Group. It’s ranked world-class excellence in UK Higher second nationally for research impact, Education) and are home to a huge cohort and in the top five universities for research of distinguished staff, including two excellence in the UK. Nobel Prize winners and 13 Royal Society Fellows. 6 64 www.cardiff.ac.uk Reasons to Love Cardiff Love to Reasons Jamie Roberts (MBBCh 2013) Susanna Reid Our star 03 alumni (PgDip 1993, Hon 2015) From politicians and journalists to scientists and innovators – many well-known faces have been through Cardiff’s corridors. Our alumni include BBC broadcasters Huw Edwards, Jason Mohammad and Susanna Reid, former National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke, Money Saving Expert founder and journalist Martin Lewis OBE, academic, writer and broadcaster Professor Alice Roberts and many more. Martin Lewis Our Honorary Fellows include the likes of Sir Patrick Stewart, (PGDip 1998) Stephen Fry and Carol Vorderman. 05 Bute Park 04 A 130 acre Top teaching back garden and employability Bute Park lies in the heart of Cardiff behind King Edward VII Avenue. With the River Taff Stepping into a university that provides flowing alongside, it is the perfect mixture of innovative, exciting teaching across the tranquillity and wide open space, ideal for disciplines, it’s hard not to feel the buzz. relaxing (or running) on a summer’s afternoon. A Cardiff education is unique and personable; students are taught and mentored by committed and enthusiastic tutors and lecturers, many of whom are world-leading experts. Our graduates are amongst the most sought after by employers. 06 One big film set! The proximity and unique architecture of the University campuses make it a prime filming location. Cardiff is home to many TV shows, including dramas such as ‘Casualty’ and ‘Doctor Who’. AUTUMN 2016 7 www.cardiff.ac.uk 75 Reasons to Love Cardiff 07 A wealth of treasures lie just beyond Cardiff’s On the borders, a unique part of the world asking to be explored. A trip to Barry Island is a must, a destination for ‘Gavin and Stacey’ fans doorstep and beachgoers alike. The rugged Brecon Beacons offer incredible walks, views and to wild outdoor pursuits. Wales National Park Brecon Beacons Pen y Fan Gower Cardiff Barry Island 86 www.cardiff.ac.uk Reasons to Love Cardiff Love to Reasons 08 International days Rugby is part of the lifeblood of Cardiff; you can’t miss it. A festival atmosphere descends during the annual Six Nations tournament, as Wales’ visiting rivals take them on in their home town. The city also hosts international football and cricket matches. 09 One of the best Community Students’ Unions Action 10 in the UK Student volunteering is a way of life with It’s official – according to the Which? many student-led projects serving the University Student Survey 2018, Cardiff community. Further afield, the Phoenix University’s SU is one of the best around. Project is making a difference in Africa, Home to over 240 sports clubs and student working with the University of Namibia societies, a free employment service and, of to embed quality education in focused course, the beloved Taf pub, the Students’ projects, enabling better health and less Union caters for every student’s needs across poverty. the board, from studying to socialising. 11 Rich culture and history From the internationally renowned Wales Millennium Centre on the waterfront, to the National Museum in Cathays Park and the 2,000-year-old Cardiff Castle, Cardiff is a city steeped in heritage and culture. 12 A city that loves running Many elite athletes, including the likes of Mo Farah, compete in world-class events in Cardiff. The City boasts plenty of events for runners of all levels – from weekly Parkruns to the Cardiff University/ Cardiff Half Marathon, the second largest race of its type in the UK. Many of our students join #TeamCardiff for this, where they also raise vital funds that support our research. Other students give their time to volunteer and our physio students are on hand to give much welcomed sports massage at the end of the 13.1 mile course! www.cardiff.ac.uk 97 A Capital City Cardiff is a thriving, friendly and attractive city – it has all the advantages of a compact and inexpensive location, with the cultural and recreational facilities of a modern capital city. The excitement of the city to the with hosting major sports, arts and cultural For those who prefer drama, Cardiff has three peace and tranquillity of the nearby events and, as the capital city of Wales, it is thriving theatres and the eclectic Chapter coast and countryside.