Peachy. Sunny. Lolly. Happy, friendly sounding words, right? Well that’s the idea. But these are also the names of three of the UK’s ever-growing list of companies offering payday loans, which don’t bring happiness to all who take them out… One poll showed that one in three students have applied for a payday loan. Reasons Read more
Max from the Advice and Money Team shares important information about the Cardiff University bursary. These bursaries are available to any undergraduate student who started in September 2017 and is: eligible for UK student funding support and whose household income is assessed as being lower than £42,000; and liable to pay tuition fees of approximately Read more
Gareth, the dedicated contact for student carers, discusses the support available at Cardiff University. This week (11-17 June) is Carers Week, which aims to support carers to stay healthy and connected, and raise awareness about the struggles that carers can face. Our community of student carers For the last 18 months we have been working Read more
Amy from our Advice and Money Team tells us more about ‘extenuating circumstances’ and how you can make sure that a difficult time in your life does not unduly impact your academic chances… Despite your best efforts to concentrate and revise it’s quite possible that Murphy’s Law will strike and anything that can go wrong, will go Read more
Are you a married student? Money Adviser, Max, shares how your partner could save some tax… Marriage. An institution as old as the hills. Maybe even as old as some of my jokes. And it has seen a lot of change through history (Henry VIII even created a whole new church to get out of Read more
Siobhan and Tania from our Advice and Money Team explains what students need to do to apply for their placement year funding … It’s that time of year again when you have to reapply for your funding. If you are on a Sandwich course, the application this time will be slightly different because next academic Read more
Our student intern, Victoria, gives advice on how you can avoid a disastrous departure from your student digs… If you’ve caused significant damage that clearly isn’t general wear and tear, the likelihood is that you won’t get all of your bond back. These things happen. In my second year I blew up my oven because Read more
Siobhan from the Advice and Money Team, shares some housing hacks that all students should know this Student Money Week… You’ve completed your first-term and there’s a whole host of people you’ve yet to even meet. Some will be acing the independent living, though maybe you still haven’t quite figured out how to use the oven without Read more
Are you a Welsh student (and apply to Student Finance Wales for funding?) Do you want to knock £1500 from your student loan debt? If you started a course in Sept 2010, or later, and you took out a maintenance loan of at least £1505 in one academic year from Student Finance Wales, then you should Read more
Are you a care leaver or an estranged student unable to find someone to act as a guarantor to secure accommodation in the private sector? If so, Cardiff University has a Guarantor Scheme to assist you. Basically, this means that the University will act as your guarantor so you can secure somewhere to live in the private sector Read more
Kate, Student Intern shares 10 DIY Valentine’s treats to share with loved ones without breaking the bank… Love is in the air, but for us students that doesn’t mean money magically appears from the air as well! There’s no need to spend a fortune on cards, flowers and gifts; here are some meaningful Valentine’s gift Read more
Three current Student Mentors talk about their experience of the role and what they’ve gained from it… Many students starting university have questions and queries and sometimes it is difficult to know who to turn to for support. As a Student Mentor you are able to help first year students from your academic school settle Read more
Rachel, our student intern, discusses student bursaries and what to do if you think you are eligible but haven’t yet received any information… The winter recess is nearly upon us and everyone can go a bit spending crazy during the festive period. So now’s the time to consider whether you are eligible for a student bursary. Read more
If you are funded through Student Finance Wales or Student Finance England, you will not receive your second student loan payment until Monday 8 January. Rachel, our student intern, talks about what to do if you’re not already prepared… With Christmas around the corner and New Year’s celebrations just after, we know that this might be Read more
Nichola, Counselling, Health and Wellbeing placement student, shares her recommendations on the best apps to support your wellbeing, study and finances… December is known for its festive activities which bring joy to many but can also be frustrating for others. Winter recess is that time of the year when many student houses empty for a couple Read more
George, International Journalism student and Marketing Intern tells us more about Global Opportunities… Have you ever considered studying in China or Canada, volunteering at a French festival, a year abroad in Belgium or Hong Kong? There is a world of opportunity out there and it’s no secret that the university’s Global Opportunities team can talk you through Read more
Siobhan from the Advice and Money Team, explains why you shouldn’t sign for a house too early. Every year for as long as I can remember (and I’ve been here a while), the festive season is always accompanied by an unwarranted panic to sign for future accommodation. There seems to be this idea that you Read more
Our Advice and Money Team give you some tips on what to do if you are struggling with university and considering withdrawing… Starting university is exciting but it also comes with some anxiety. It’s quite common to feel overwhelmed in the first few weeks and wonder if you are in the right place, or if Read more
Our student intern, Sophie shares how you and your friends can stay safe in the lovely city of Cardiff… So you’ve settled into your student life and are getting on with your studies, but do you know how to stay safe when at university? Cardiff is generally a safe city, but it’s still important to Read more
Paula Barker from our Advice and Money Team explains what it means to be estranged and the support available to students… Most Universities in the UK recognise that students who have been through the care system face barriers in access to higher education and have developed a support package to try to address this issue. But Read more
Hannah from the Advice and Money Team discusses the tuition fee funding available to EU undergraduates. As an European Union (EU) undergraduate student you can apply for funding from Student Finance Wales (SFW) to help you meet the cost of your tuition fees. For those of you starting this year (2017/18), or continuing with your studies, Read more
Paula, our dedicated contact for care leavers and estranged students, gives a warm welcome to new and returning students and explains the support available… My name is Paula Barker and I’m the dedicated contact for care leavers and estranged students at Cardiff University. I’m based in the Advice and Money Team within the Graduate Centre (3rd floor) Read more
Kate, our Student Intern, reveals what you need to do to prepare yourself for the big move from home to halls. The time has come, the boxes are being packed up, you’re choosing between your favourite bed sheets and your friends and family are starting to give you advice about being a real adult and Read more
Tania from our Advice and Money team tells us more about what to consider and do if you are having to repeat a year… You may be reading this because you have failed a portion of your assessments, and have been given the opportunity to repeat your modules during 2017-2018. Or perhaps you are concerned Read more
Whether you’re excited to embark on the future, or a little bit apprehensive – don’t worry. Sophie, our student intern, explains… I can’t believe that this is it, I’ve received my results and I will be graduating from Cardiff University with a 2:1! The last three years have flown by. It feels like only yesterday Read more
Our student intern Victoria shares some advice for students re-sitting exams this summer. After months of lectures, work and revision, it can be really disheartening to get your results only to realise that you have failed an exam. As a previous student shared, ‘nothing can prepare you for that sinking feeling’, and whether the news Read more
Einir, our dedicated contact for care leavers and estranged students will be going on maternity leave from the end of June 2017 and would like to introduce you to Paula who will be the dedicated contact in her absence. Some of you have seen me over the past few months and will know that I will Read more
Einir from the Advice and Money Team shares 5 steps for students who have failed their exams. The exam board has met and you will have received an email to say your results are available to be viewed on SIMS. When you viewed yours did you find a dreaded F, or a lower classification or pass Read more
Advice and Money student intern, Rosie, shares all you need to know about repaying your student loan, along with a top tip that could save you a huge sum of money… Graduation can be a bit of a crazy whirlwind without having to worry about repaying your student loans as well. But I’m here to Read more
Student intern, Victoria, shares information about the support available to students during the summer. Assessments and exams are finally over! Sighs of relief swept Cathays on the 9th June, alongside torrents of rain and the chaos of General Election results. Now, undergraduate students across campus are getting ready to pack up their things and head Read more
After hundreds of students took part in our Student Life Fun Run last year, it’s back again this year with new t-shirts, new participants and new prizes! Student intern, Sophie, tells us more… Cardiff University students, staff and alumni are invited to walk, jog, skip or run around the 2.4 km route through Cardiff’s Civic Read more
Einir England from our Advice & Money Team explains what students need to do to apply for their placement year funding … It’s that time of year again when you have to reapply for your funding. If you are on a sandwich course, the application this time will be slightly different because next academic year you will be Read more
Rosie, Advice and Money student intern, shares information about postgraduate funding with students considering further study after they graduate. Ah, graduation. Just the word itself brings on an instant cocktail of excitement and complete and utter dread inside of me. Having just finished my second year of University, I’m now teetering on the edge of Read more
Rosie, student intern with Advice and Money, shares some important information about the Financial Assistance Programme Awards available for final year students. If you’re a final year undergraduate student it’s likely you’re familiar with one of the biggest contributors to student stress: money problems. As a student myself, I can totally relate, we all can. Read more
Rosie, student intern with the Advice and Money Team, shares some key information for students struggling to fund themselves through the summer… Rent, books, bills, parties and polka-dot wrapping to adorn that last-minute birthday present for your favourite flatmate – it all piles up! As students, we all understand how difficult it can be to Read more
Our student intern, Victoria, gives advice on how you can avoid a disastrous departure from your student digs… So it’s nearly the end of the year and the cherry blossom trees of the Main Building and the Woodville are blowing the hints of oncoming summer into many an unsuspecting face. It’s been so long since Read more
Student intern and Postgraduate Ambassador, Victoria, shares all you need to know about the Master’s Excellence Scholarships available. Graduation looming, but unsure of your next steps? Don’t be left looking befuddled rather than triumphant on graduation day, clutching your cap for dear life and thinking ‘What next?!’ It’s good to have a rough plan of Read more
Kate, our Student Intern, shares her tips for eating well on a budget during exams… Endless tesco meal deals, the occasional wi-wo, various chocolatey snacks and an array of beverages from hoffi coffi’s selection may seem like the ideal exam diet, but it’s neither brain food nor budget-friendly. I know the struggles of exam time. Read more
Einir, our dedicated contact for care leavers and estranged students, shares more about the support available as we approach the end of the academic year. I can’t believe we are in the final term already! This academic year has gone so quickly. I hope this year has treated you all well and you are prepared for any assessments that Read more
Siobhan from the Advice and Money Team lets students know everything they need to do before moving out, in the 4-week, ship-out, bond-back countdown! Wow, where has the time gone? I bet it feels like you only moved in a few weeks ago, but another academic year has flown by and already it’s nearly time Read more
Victoria, student intern, shares some tips on avoiding and combatting feelings of homesickness this Easter break… Though it may not seem like it from the suddenly deserted streets of Cathays, a lot of students stay in Cardiff during the Easter break. Whether it’s because they have a job here, can’t afford to go home, need Read more
Victoria, student intern, shares 9 things to do this Easter, to help you to keep busy, recover after a stressful term and prepare for another. It’s Easter at last! Another term has whizzed by, the deadlines are done, the Welsh weather has suddenly transformed and Varsity has left everyone with that victory glow. Now a Read more
Victoria, Student Intern, shares some top tips on keeping your student digs secure this Easter… Student homes can be targeted during the holidays, so make sure not to leave burglars an Easter trail right into your home – you could lose more than just chocolate eggs! That’s if of course, you’ve exercised extreme self-control and not gobbled them Read more
Before heading off on your year abroad, Einir from our Advice and Money Team has 6 top tips to ensure your finances are in order… Off on your year abroad? Getting your finances in order will ensure you can live comfortably and budget for any additional adventures you want to embark on whilst you’re there. Here are Read more
Siobhan from our Advice and Money team tells us more about Guarantors, what they are and how to get one… Just as you were thinking “that house hunting malarkey was easier than I thought it was going to be” the letting agents hit you with who’s your guarantor? You’ve never heard the word before and have Read more
Tania Hardisty, from our Advice and Money Team, helps to explain what you need to consider if you are thinking of taking time out of your course… Do you feel you are struggling to cope at the moment? Perhaps you are thinking of taking time out of University, or even considering leaving? Perhaps you have been Read more
The Advice and Money Team talks us through reapplying for funding … Are you in your first, second or penultimate year of study? Do you get student funding now? Would you like it again next year? Did you know that you need to reapply for funding each academic year? In the talks we, the Advice Read more
Rosie, Advice and Money Intern shares her budgeting tips and advice … If you have not yet seen that video check it out first as it provides useful advice on how to work out your weekly budget. (Having a weekly budget is important as it helps you to not overspend or run out of money.) Read more
Rosie, Advice and Money Intern, feeds back on her ‘Love Food Hate Waste’ training … Who are Love Food Hate Waste? Love Food Hate Waste is a campaign run by the charity called WRAP, who are working alongside the Advice and Money Team at the Student Support Centre and the Student Advice Team at the Students Read more
Rosie, Advice and Money Intern, tells us more about what going on at Cardiff University during National Student Money week #NSMW17 Are you struggling to balance you finances and budget your money? That’s ok, so am I. When I first started University last year I hadn’t even considered that budgeting would be something that affected my Read more
