Stepping into Glamorgan – School of Planning and Geography

In the autumn of 2023, I first made my way through the green-turning yellow trees of Alexandra Park. I paused to admire the statue of Sir Aberdare and spent a moment at the beautiful Welsh National War Memorial before hopping towards the Glamorgan building. ‘The Glamorgan Council’ it reads, with Greek-style sculptures at either side of the entrance, welcoming me. The building itself was built during the reign of Henry VII, and completed under Edward V. No wonder it transports you to another time!

First impressions are lasting, but I’ve discovered much more as an international student that I’m excited to share with you. Here are a few aspects and opportunities specific to the school that make the School of Geography and Planning distinct and will possibly shape your career and academic trajectory.

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The Essentials: School of Geography and Planning (GEOPL):

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) Accreditation

First up, most courses at the School of Planning and Geography are accredited by the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). The RTPI is the leading organization and Chartered Institute of Professional Town Planners, setting standards in planning across institutes in the UK as well as internationally. With that, students can get free membership to the RTPI, enabling them to progress to chartered membership. Not a bad deal, right?

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Offers

Students can also apply for the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) membership, an organization of an organization that helps shape public policy for a sustainable, net-zero future. Moreover, the monthly webinar series by chartered town planners and professionals is an additional place where students can interact with on-field professionals and learn more about their interests.

The Libraries

Bute Library, right next to the Glamorgan Building, and the Arts and Social Sciences Library have a vast and up-to-date collection of resources including books, journals, and online databases to support your research and studies. With every visit, I end up borrowing more titles than I plan to, something that has helped me not only with my essays but also broadening my knowledge.

GEOPL Careers and Employability and Student Futures

Every week, students receive school-specific career opportunities sent to their mailboxes by Graham Getheridge, the Employability and Placements Manager, and Kirsty Osman, the GEOPL Careers Adviser. The GEOPL Careers and Employability Centre also helps with applications and one-on-one sessions with career advisors.

Geography Skills Resource Bank

T Students get access to this resource bank through Cardiff University’s Learning Central platform once enrolled.he resource bank provides online tutorials and access to planning and geography tools such as GIS, Digimap, AutoCAD, Google Earth Pro, among many others.

Student – Staff Panels

Navigating the academic season can be tough, especially for international students. The student-staff panels is a great platform designed to ensure student voices and concerns regarding academics and administration are heard and addressed. These sessions are a vital component of the school, where students can communicate directly or through their representatives at the student-staff sessions.

The Cardiff Award

The Cardiff Award is a short program designed to help students become career-ready. While this is not specific to the school, it complements the school’s focus on practical and professional development. The program takes you through a series of steps where students can aggregate all their academic and transferable skills into a comprehensive portfolio that showcases their readiness for the job market.

The Café

And finally, my favorite spot at the school. Disclaimer: I’m a major caffeine addict, and it does not help that the coffee at the Green Shoots Café is top-notch. Tucked away in a cozy corner of the colorful and semi-contemporary lounge is where all the coffee magic happens. Plus, you’re also in for a friendly chat with the barista while you wait for your steaming cup of coffee bliss. But you do not have to take my word for it. I imagine you’ll be rushing for a caffeine fix in between lecture and seminar breaks—and if you like a rich, chocolaty smooth mocha like I do, you won’t be disappointed!