Over the past few weeks I’ve been speaking to Cardiff graduates who stayed on in the city after they’d finished their exams and handed back the keys to their cold houses in Cathays. They have all been people who are keen to let soon to be graduates know that you can make it happen in Read more
Our experts in the Advice and Money Team share some help and advice to make the most of your money. Putting the fun back into budgeting We know that the thought of budgeting can make anyone start to sweat but we’re here to remind you of the benefits of budgeting and why it’s important. So Read more
Our experts in the Advice and Money Team share some help and money management advice. Managing your food shop can not only save you pounds but can also help with climate change. No I’m not talking rubbish………hmmmmmmm well yes I am, food caddie rubbish. The science bit: Food waste is listed as the 3rd biggest Read more
The looooooooooong second term and the dreaded ‘B’ word (Budgeting of course!) Our experts in the Advice and Money Team share some help and budgeting advice. You’ve managed through the first term of the academic year, survived the money pit of Christmas and finally reached the second instalment of funding pay day; hurray!! Finally, your Read more
Stay safe as you move around Cardiff and the university by following our tips and making use of the safety initiatives available to you. Please be sure to: Be safe and sensible Look out for your friends Make sure someone knows where you are Keep your belongings out of sight, particularly mobile phones, wallets and laptop bags 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
27Kate, 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 Read more
Einir England, the dedicated contact for care leavers and estranged students at Cardiff University, explains what it means to be estranged and the support available… 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 Read more
Genetics student, Maddie, shares some things to do in Cardiff over the winter break. Staying in Cardiff over the holidays and looking for something fun to do? There’s a variety of events and activities to suit everyone in Cardiff this Christmas no matter what your interests, but here are our top picks! 1. Visit Read more
Kristina Bowers, International Student Advisor, explains culture shock and how you can overcome it. As the nights get longer and the days become grey and damp, you may find yourself wishing for the warm sun and familiar faces, missing the comforts of home a little more than you expected… It’s likely that it’s not just Read more
Siobhan from the Advice and Money Team, explains why you shouldn’t sign for a house too early and gives some tips for when you do start house viewings. The autumn season is always accompanied by an unwarranted panic to sign for future accommodation. There seems to be this idea that you must sign for next Read more
Amy from our Wellbeing team shares her tips on getting through your first few weeks at uni… I imagine, like many other new students, that you’ve had months of nail-biting anticipation and preparation for the student life ahead of you. Well now you’re finally here – welcome! If you’ve done a Google Search “Surviving Fresher’s” you’ll have seen the 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
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
Kristina Bowers, International Student Advisor, tells us more about Exams and Your Tier 4 Visa… Exam season is almost upon us and I’m sure that all our students have been hard at work! With good preparation and sound study, hopefully everyone will get the results that they are hoping for. However, things don’t always go quite to 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
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
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
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
Bonjour, Gutentag, Ciao, Hello and Helo! George, Journalism Student and Marketing Intern, talks about the opportunities to learn a language during your time at Cardiff Uni… How many times have you said that you want to learn a language? How many times have you been envious of the foreign tongue of your chosen destination, 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
George, Student Intern shares his insights into culture shock and tips from our International Student Support advisers… Having lived in either England or Wales for the entirety of my life, I’ve never really experienced ‘culture shock.’ Sure, I’ve been abroad and experienced different cultures and ways of life, but I have never lived in a Read more
Our student intern, Rachel, talks about how you can have a great Christmas holiday and also get career ready… Christmas time is the best time to relax, catch up with family and friends and get ready for the next year ahead of us. But remember, we are only half way through the academic year and Read more
Jo, from the Counselling, Health and Wellbeing Team, talks about Transgender Awareness Week, 13 – 17 November, and Transgender Day of Remembrance, on 20 November… Transgender Awareness Week is an annual event which aims to raise the awareness of transgender and gender non-conforming people and address some of the issues the trans community faces. Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) takes place just after Transgender Awareness Week, and is 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
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
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
International Student Adviser, Abbie, shares some information for international students who want to stay in the UK after graduation. Wondering what the future holds after graduation? Well, there are a number of opportunities out there for international students to stay in the UK and work. International Student Support (ISS) is here to help with your 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
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
Kristina, from our International Student Support Team shares some important visa information for international students who will be attending graduation and inviting family. So you’re on your way to successfully completing your course and earning your qualification. First of all – Congratulations! It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this point. 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
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 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
International student, Lorria, tells us about her experiences at University… An anxiously received acceptance letter, several bittersweet celebrations, a 12 hour flight and 6 overweight suitcases later, I found my exhausted self still travelling and onboard a 3-hour coach headed to my new home away from home. As a fellow international student at Cardiff Univeristy Read more
Sophie, our Student Intern, tells us more about Global Week and the events you can join in to celebrate Cardiff University’s diverse community… This March the University is celebrating the unique cultures and shared experiences of students and staff at Cardiff University through a series of globally themed events. The events, arranged jointly between Cardiff University and Read more
Kristina Bowers, International Student Advisor, tells us more about the Doctorate Extension Scheme… Have you fallen in love with Cardiff? Has the UK won your heart? If you’re thinking of staying on after your studies, then the Doctorate Extension Scheme, or DES, could be the immigration route for you. Read more
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day this week we will be sharing ‘tokens’ of love with all students. As noted below each of our ‘tokens’ will link to blog posts, videos or intranet content all written to help support you throughout your student life. Follow us on facebook and twitter to see daily information and advice Read more
This week we are showcasing our Student Support Centres and the teams who work within them, to highlight the services and support available to students… We understand that student life brings with it all sorts of new experiences and challenges for students. At Student Support we have a great range of services and support to help meet student needs, as detailed Read more
Our Student Intern, Kate, tells us more about the Student Support Centre at Cardigan House… The Student Support and Wellbeing team at Cardigan house offer confidential advice and support on a range of topics including: advice for your student life, student occupational health, finances, housing, health and wellbeing, disability and dyslexia and careers and employability. Read more
Kristina Bowers, International Student Advisor, tells us more about the International Student Support team and how they can help you… International Student Support is dedicated to the welfare and needs of our International Students. We are happy to be the first port of call and welcome all queries and questions from Cardiff University’s International cohort! Read more
Kristina Bowers, International Student Advisor, tells us more about Exams and Your Tier 4 Visa… Exam season is almost over and I’m sure that all our students have been hard at work! With good preparation and sound study, hopefully everyone will get the results that they are hoping for. However, things don’t always go quite to Read more
Kate, Student Intern, shares her top ten things to go in Cardiff over Christmas… In Cardiff over Christmas and stuck for things to do? Look no further! This blog is your essential student guide for all the things to do in Cardiff over the Christmas break. Read more
Victoria, Student Intern, discusses festive drinking and warns not to get too jolly… For some, ‘tis the season for festive drinks. However, don’t feel like you need to chug mulled wine just to get in the festive spirit. Alcohol can affect your university experience and your mental and physical health. The festive season often comes Read more
Sophie, Student Intern, discusses how you and your friends can stay safe this Christmas… With tinsel, gifts, Christmas lights and snow loads of university work, it might be easy to put personal safety on the back burner. However, whether you’re heading home or staying in Cardiff over the holidays, it’s still important to take precautions to ensure your own and Read more
