Cardiff is a great place to be a student – it is a young, prosperous and vibrant city offering a range of first class facilities for shopping, sport, entertainment, nightlife and sightseeing. Only two hours West of London, Cardiff has a reputation for being multicultural, friendly and affordable. Students are offered a very high standard of living at a relatively low cost when compared to many other cities across the UK. As a result, the city is now home to over 30,000 students, approximately 11,000 study at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Cardiff, Europe's youngest Capital city, has altered beyond recognition in the last decade or so following massive investment in the city. For those who like culture, Cardiff is home to the National Museum of Wales, the Wales Millennium Centre, the Millennium Stadium and the Museum of Welsh life. The city boasts the UK's largest city centre shopping mall which features a range of internationally known brands, as well as the more unique shopping experiences of the Cardiff Arcades. The year round calendar of events ensures that there is always something to see or do in your spare time.
The student areas of the city cater for demand offering cheap food, local shopping and entertainment. The city centre hosts a range of social venues from restaurants, cafes and cosy pubs, to theatres, trendy bars and super-clubs.
Beyond Cardiff, you can enjoy the varied and stunning landscapes of Wales itself. Wales is a country with a great deal of history and areas of outstanding beauty. Within an hour of Cardiff you could be enjoying the spectacular coastlines of South Wales, or enjoying the rugged mountain terrain of the Brecon Beacons.
With the very best in modern architecture, unspoilt parkland, a diverse range of arts and culture, and attractive countryside and stunning coastlines on the doorstep, Cardiff truly has something for everyone.
Why Wales?
The below film follows Liana Stewart, a University of Wales Newport graduate as she journeys through Wales to discover why over 13,000 students from outside Europe have chosen to study in Wales, UK, this year.
The journey takes her through Fashion Design courses at University of Wales Newport, Music at Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Aerospace Engineering at Swansea University, Motorbike Engineering at Swansea Metropolitan University, Environmental & Earth Sciences at Aberystwyth University and Cognitive Neuroscience at Bangor University.
Along the way she sees some of the best cityscapes and landscapes in Wales including the gorges of the Brecon Beacons and the breathtaking view from the top of Snowdon.
