Cardiff is a cosmopolitan city and Europe’s youngest capital. It is the ideal place to spend your time in the UK. Cardiff offers everything you would expect from a capital city - major sporting events, hundreds of different pubs, bars and clubs, world-class entertainment, arts and theatre and excellent shopping. Cardiff is safe, modern and compact. There is a range of accommodation for students including student halls, flats and rented accommodation. Cardiff is just an hour away from the spectacular natural beauty of the Brecon Beacons, and the famous unspoilt beaches of the Gower Peninsular. London is just 2 hours away by train.   It is a great city for students and was recently described as the “epitome of cool” by the famous travel guide, Lonely Planet.

Getting around

Cardiff is a very compact city and can easily be explored on foot. Students usually use the efficient bus service or cycle around the city. The ‘BayCar’ service runs between the city centre and Cardiff Bay every 10 minutes during the day.

• Easy to get around on foot, by bike, and by public transport.
• A mostly flat city with a variety of cycle routes and trails.

Shopping

Cardiff has a reputation as one of the UK’s top shopping destinations. In 2009 a new development called ‘St David’s 2’ opened. It includes 100 new stores and 21 new cafes, bars & restaurants. It is the size of 30 football pitches!

• One of the top 10 shopping cities in the UK
• Charming Victorian arcades & exclusive city boutiques
• Bustling indoor market

Leisure

Cardiff is a sporting capital; hosting events such as the Rugby Six Nations, the FIFA World Cup qualifying games and the Wales Rally GB. The Ryder Cup in 2010 will be held just outside the city.

• 11 million people visit the city each year.
• A designated ‘Centre of Culture’
• A city of parks and has more green space per person than any other UK city.
• One of the flattest cities in Britain and has more hours of sunlight than Milan.

Low cost and safe

Cardiff is one of the best value university cities, according to The Royal Bank of Scotland’s Student Living Index. It is also one of the safest UK cities to live in.

• One of the cheapest places for students to live.
• Many bars and clubs hold student nights.
• Full of free and low-cost things to do.
• One of the UK’s most popular university cities.

Regular free festivals and events take place throughout the year like the ‘Big Weekend’, the UK’s biggest free outdoor music festival.

Cardiff Bay

Cardiff Bay, just a mile from the city centre, is now a popular part of any visit to Cardiff. There are a wide range of restaurants, bars and shops for visitors to enjoy along with the attractions, such as the Wales Millennium Centre.

“Small enough to be friendly but big enough to offer all the best bits of living in a major city”