www.cardiff.ac.uk/international 1 Study at Cardiff University www.cardiff.ac.uk/international welcome www.cardiff.ac.uk/international Cardiff University has been producing successful graduates since the first students entered in 1883. The University has changed dramatically in the last 130 years but the commitment to quality education and a rewarding university experience remains. The photographs in this prospectus are of Cardiff University students, locations at Cardiff University and the city of Cardiff. Web Facebook YouTube www.cardiff.ac.uk/international www.facebook.com/ www.youtube.com/cardiffinternational cardiffinternationalstudents E-mail Weibo [email protected] Follow us on Twitter www.weibo.com/cardiffuni @cardiffio Telephone Flickr +44 (0)29 2087 4432 Skype www.flickr.com/cardiffinternational Skype ID: cardiffuni_international Fax welcome +44 (0)29 2087 4622 contents www.cardiff.ac.uk/international Section 1 Section 2 _01 About Cardiff University _14 Courses and Schools directory _03 Studying at Cardiff University _05 Career prospects Section 3 _07 Cardiff, the capital city of Wales _35 Study Abroad & international _09 Accommodation exchange _11 University life _37 The International Foundation Programme _13 The future _38 English Language programmes Section 4 _39 How to apply _41 Fees and living expenses _42 University map contents about 1 www.cardiff.ac.uk/about 2 – 2 nobel Prize winners Cardiff University is – 9 Fellows of the Royal Society Top 25 – 10 Fellows of the Royal academy UK Universities Top 5 in of Engineering ranked by research power (RAE 2008) Anatomy and Physiology – 5 Fellows of the british academy Architecture – 20 Fellows of the academy of 1 — University of Oxford Business Medical Sciences 2 — University of Cambridge Celtic Studies – 4 academicians of the academy 3 — University of Manchester Civil Engineering of Social Sciences 4 — University College London Communications and Media Studies Dentistry 5 — University of Edinburgh – 4 Queen’s anniversary Prizes East and South-East Asia Studies 6 — University of Nottingham Environmental Studies 7 — Imperial College London European Studies 8 — University of Leeds Mechanical Engineering 9 — University of Sheffield Neuroscience 10 — University of Bristol Optometry Pharmacy 11 — King’s College London Psychology 12 — University of Birmingham Sociology 13 — University of Glasgow Town and Country Planning 14 — University of Southampton 15 — Cardiff University Top 10 in 16 — University of Warwick Earth Sciences 17 — University of Newcastle Since 1883, Cardiff University’s world-leading scientists Education upon Tyne and academics have achieved prominence for their English Language and Literature 18 — University of Liverpool Law innovations, discoveries and advancements which have 19 — University of Durham Mathematics changed the face of their areas of work. 20 — Queen’s University Belfast Nursing 21 — Queen Mary, University Social Policy of London Sociology 22 — University of York Town and Country Planning 23 — University of Leicester 24 — Loughborough University 10 key Facts 25 — University of Exeter about Cardiff University 1/ 4/ 7/ 9/ Ranked 15 in the UK and The campus is frequently The Cathays Park campus The University generates more RanKingS and SUbjECT top 150 in the world. used as the film set for is situated in the very centre than £100 million annually lEagUE TablES RanKingS 2/ BBC hit TV shows ‘Dr Who’ of Cardiff, the capital city of from research grants and in 2013 Cardiff University was ranked You can view the scores for subject Cardiff University is a and ‘Sherlock’. Wales. Cardiff is only 2 hours contracts. 136 out of approximately 10,000 areas in the Schools directory (pages member of the elite Russell 5/ from London by train. 10/ universities worldwide, putting Cardiff 14-34). The Top 5 and Top 10 lists show Group top 24 UK research-led Accommodation in University 8/ The University has 2 Nobel in the top tier of international education. subject areas at Cardiff University universities. residences is guaranteed for Cardiff University’s research Prize winners – Sir Martin This shows that Cardiff University is an ranked by independent newspaper most international students attracts awards from the Evans for Medicine and 3/ established and recognised university rankings and the RaE results. and is within walking most prominent funding Robert Huber for Chemistry. The University teaches more with a global profile. The ranking distance of the University. organisations in the UK: the than 28,000 students from table above is based on the Research Engineering and Physical more than 120 countries. 6/ assessment Exercise (RaE), which Sciences Research Council, The University has 15 libraries is the only independent government the Medical Research Council, and 25 IT suites, some of assessment of universities in the UK. which are open 24 hours a Cancer Research UK and While rankings are a guideline, you day, 7 days a week. Arthritis Research UK.. should also pay close attention to the course you wish to study and what the university and individual school can offer you. studying at cardiff university 3 www.cardiff.ac.uk/research 4 Why is research important? Universities that are considered to be the best in the world are ‘research-led’. Being a taught or research student in a research-led institution like Cardiff University has several advantages: 1 — RECogniTion 3 — TE aching bY globallY 4 — E nHanCEd CaREERS 6 — joining a WoRldWidE Your degree will be recognised RESPECTEd staFF PRospects netwoRK worldwide. The most famous You will work with, and be taught Your career prospects will be Your fellow students will also be and respected universities are by, staff who are pioneers in their enhanced. Employers usually of a high standard. This means research-led. Cardiff is part of subjects and contribute to the favour research-led universities you will get more out of your the elite Russell Group of top advancement of knowledge. It is because they know graduates will seminars and study groups. research-based universities in important to Cardiff University’s be very well informed. After graduation you will join the UK. culture that all our academic 5 — E xCEllEnT TEaching a close network of alumni 2 — innovaTivE CoURSES staff teach students. In a recent FaCiliTiES that hold top positions in survey of the Russell Group governments, companies The curriculum of your course universities, Cardiff University You will find excellent teaching and universities. will include the latest information ranked 3rd with regards to facilities because research-led and be relevant to your career. learning support and quality institutions attract more funding. of lectures. Cardiff University generates more than a £100 million annually from research grants and contracts. indEPEndEnTlY vERiFiEd and REviEWEd TEaching METHodS FREE aSSistanCE in EngliSH and MaTHS You can be confident of the quality and You will be taught in formal lectures, in if you want some additional help with standard of a Cardiff degree. The University small groups (called ‘seminars’) and one-to- English language, or you find mathematics is recognised by more than 40 professional one with tutors. depending on your subject difficult, you can get free support from bodies which ensure that the University you may use laboratories, meet members of the University. The ‘in-sessional’ English maintains the highest possible standards in the public, operate specialist equipment and courses can help you with presentations, teaching. in 2008 the University’s teaching go on field trips. reading strategies, pronunciation and was also given the highest endorsement by You will also have access to Cardiff’s virtual academic writing. Even if you are confident the UK government in a quality review. learning environment “Portal” to enhance in your language abilities you will probably and support your learning. it allows you to improve your assignments and increase your job prospects. aSSESSMEnT METHodS download lecture materials, communicate with your tutors and submit assignments assessment methods are different for each from any internet connection. course. Most courses include some form of written examination and essays but you because Cardiff is a top-ranked research If you choose Cardiff University you will join a global may also be assessed on presentations, class institution you can be assured that our academic community of staff and students. Like other tests, laboratory results and group work. facilities are some of the best available. The University has 15 libraries and 25 iT suites, established universities, Cardiff University’s mission some of which are open 24 hours a day, 7 is to accomplish world-leading research and pass this days a week. knowledge on to students. How will studying at Cardiff What is a Russell group university? be different? Studying at Cardiff University may be different from the style of Cardiff University is a member of the Russell Group. teaching in your country. – The Russell Group are the 24 leading research-led UK universities. studying at You will be expected to use the libraries and internet to research topics. You will be asked to contribute your opinion, collate information – They are committed to maintaining the very best research. and present evidence. Your own ideas will be encouraged. – They are committed to an outstanding teaching and learning experience. Cardiff University is an innovator in ‘problem- based’ learning. – They have unrivalled links with business and the public sector. This means your lecturers will set you a ‘problem’ and you will have to work out the answer. This is a much more effective method Cardiff University of learning than just from a book. career prospects 5 www.cardiff.ac.uk/careers 6 Many students come to the UK to improve their job How to improve your career prospects? prospects. Even if you have not chosen a career, you will want to know that you are being prepared for work Everybody wants to stand out from hundreds of other and that after your degree you will have opportunities graduates. Below are some recommendations for getting that and options.