Cardiff University Main Campus - Student View

It's the fastest growing capital city in Europe. It boasts beautiful old architecture as well as the major waterfront development at Cardiff Bay, which includes cinemas, restaurants, cafes and museums. Excellent shopping, eating and accessibility in city. Great indoor market open daily.

Crime rate relatively low; CCTV in halls and local community. High concentration of pubs and clubs ranging from very cheesy to extremely chic and business-like. Something for everyone especially for the gay scene.

City very student-centred (38,000 students). Main pedestrianised centre only 5 minutes' walk from Cardiff University Students' Union, itself directly opposite main college building.

Guaranteed accommodation in halls and houses for first years, and all international students. Very high quality and relatively cheap; few students live at home.

SU renowned as the 'biggest and best' in the UK - over 5 floors, it offers the Taf Bar (recently refurbished with light, airy, modern decor, to accommodate 600 punters); nightclub Solus (open 6 days a week till 2am) - capacity 1900; Great Hall Venue (capacity 1350, hosts regular music events); Seren Las cafe bar (cafe by day, private venue by night).

Several food outlets for cheap meals; union shop is packed with student essentials; STA Travel for cheap offers; and the Mall has bank, bookshop, print shop, Endsleigh insurance, computer shop, job shop and video outlet. Drink consistently cheap.

Union politics separate from the services it offers. Student media very important and active: award-winning newspaper, Gair Rhydd; and state-of-the-art radio station, Xpress Radio, broadcasts daily in the union, on campus and the internet.

Student support extremely effective, includes advice centre and student development unit, excellent careers service, Dean's office with counselling and student health service and small access funds for students in desperate need. 80 societies ranging from bell-ringing to political societies; active LGB society; Rag Society has fun raising money for charity and SHAG (Sexual Health Awareness Group) is a valuable information service and lots of fun.

56 athletics union clubs, incl popular rugby and excellent rowing. Students come from all over the world (international students well represented in the Union). Teaching quality excellent in many departments, especially engineering, psychology and journalism.