Starting university is one of the most exciting and stressful times in a students life, and when you start there is so much happening all at once it can be very easy to become overwhelmed when you start. To make sure you are prepared and know who to contact for support in all areas, whether that be finance, childcare or accommodation, here is the ultimate guide for your time at Cardiff University…
For Help
Accommodation
Phone: 029 2087 4849
Email: residences@cardiff.ac.uk
Childcare
Email: creche@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 029 2087 4135
Disability & Dyslexia
Disability
Email: disability@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 029 2251 8888
Dyslexia
Email: dyslexia@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 029 2087 4844
Faith & Spirituality
Email: chaplaincy@cardiff.ac.uk
Fees & Finance
Email: studentfundingandadvice@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 029 2251 8888
Health
Opticians
Email: eyeclinic@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 029 2087 4357
International Students
Email: iss@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 029 22518888
Student complaints & Academic appeals
Complaints
Email:studentcases@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 029 2087 5274
Appeals
Email: advice@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 029 2078 1410
Volunteering
Email: Volunteering@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 029 2078 1494
Wellbeing
Email: wellbeingandcounselling@cardiff.ac.uk
Phone: 029 2251 8888.
Accommodation
One decision you will need to think about carefully when starting at Cardiff University is deciding where you are going to be living. Most students decide to live in university-managed accommodation or in private student accommodation, and some students are even lucky enough to live near the university and can commute from their homes.
Cardiff University has a range of university-managed accommodation available for their students, whether you are a couple, a family, LGBT+, a Welsh Speaker, want to live somewhere a little bit quieter or if you want to live in a lively and busy environment. These accommodations also range in cost, distance from the main campus, how many flatmates you may have, etc. If you are wanting to live in university-managed accommodation it would definitely be a good idea to look at their accommodation comparison guide to make sure you find the best place for you.
If you want to get in touch with the accommodation team, whether you are enquiring about a property or have a question after you move in, you can contact them by emailing residences@cardiff.ac.uk or by calling them on 029 2087 4849.
Childcare
Cardiff University also has a daycare for children of their students and staff, from children aged 10 weeks old to 5 years old. The Day Care Centre is open Monday to Friday for most of the year, excluding bank holidays and staff training day. They aim to provide a caring and educational environment for your children whilst you are at work/studying.
The majority of the daycares staff have an NNEB, BTEC< CACHE Diploma or NVQ Level 3 in Nursery qualifications, as well as various other childcare certificates. All staff are also first aid trained, so your child will definitely be in safe hands.
The daycare has different fees depending on the age of your children, if your child is 10 weeks to 2 years old it costs £28 per half-day, whereas if your child is 2-3 years old it costs £27.25 per half-day, and if your child is 3-5 years old it costs £25.50 per half day.
To get in touch with Cardiff University’s Day Care Centre you can email them at creche@cardiff.ac.uk or call them on 029 2087 4135.
Disability and Dyslexia
The Disability Team at Cardiff University can help students with funding advice, specialist services, and mentoring. They also have dedicated mental health advisors available to offer advice and guidance for students with a long term mental health condition. It’s best to let the university know of any disability you have right away, as it will make it easier for you to get the necessary support throughout your studies.
The team can also help students apply for the disabled student’s allowance, which helps cover the costs of students disability support. Such as specialist equipment, extra travel costs, and other costs a student would incur due to their disability.
To get in touch with the Disability Support team you can email them at disability@cardiff.ac.uk or by calling them on 029 2251 8888.
If you have dyslexia or another specific learning disability Cardiff University are able to make adjustments for students, such as examination arrangements. However, students must be able to provide a full diagnostic assessment support from either a psychologist or qualified specialist teacher.
To get in touch with the Dyslexia Support team you can email them at dyslexia@cardiff.ac.uk or by calling them on 029 2087 4844.
Faith & Spirituality
Cardiff University has a multi-faith chaplaincy on campus to provide opportunities for students and staff, such as social events, worship and communal prayer, quiet spaces for personal prayer and meditation, interfaith events, and lectures/debates, etc. The chaplaincy has chaplains for many different religions, such as Catholic, Methodist, Anglican, Muslim, Eastern Christian, and Hindu.
To get in touch with the chaplaincy you can email them at chaplaincy@cardiff.ac.uk.
Fees and Finance
Starting university is great but it can be a huge strain on your bank account, which is why most students apply for a student loan. A student loan will cover your tuition fees, as the government will pay your fees directly to the university. Some students also apply for a maintenance loan, which helps them with their accommodation and living costs.
If you would like some financial advice or support you can contact the student finance team at studentfundingandadvice@cardiff.ac.uk or by calling 029 2251 8888.
Health
When you start your studies at Cardiff University you should register with a local doctor, especially if you have an ongoing health condition that requires medicine, such as asthma, diabetes, or epilepsy. You can register with the campus doctor online in just a few quick steps, all you need is your NHS number, term-time address, birthplace and recent medical history.
New students can also register with the university optometrist, and from October to March they offer free eye examinations and contact lens appointments for everyone in their student clinics. Patients who undertake the examinations also receive a 20% discount off their spectacle lenses.
To contact the university eye clinic you can email them at eyeclinic@cardiff.ac.uk or by calling them on 029 2087 4357.
International Students
Cardiff University has over 7900 international students from more than 130 countries. Their International Student Support team provides international students with guidance and information on loads of issues, not just academic. The team are available to help international students settle into their new lives in Cardiff, and enjoy what this cultural capital city has to offer.
To get in touch with the International Student Support team you can email them at iss@cardiff.ac.uk or call them on 029 22518888.
Student complaints and academic appeals
Cardiff University wants to give its students the best possible university experience, but if students aren’t satisfied you are able to make a complaint and share your concerns.
To get in touch with the student’s complaints team at Cardiff University you can email them at studentcases@cardiff.ac.uk or call them on 029 2087 5274.
Students can make an academic appeal if you have grounds to do so, such as if there was an arithmetical or other error of fact, and irregularity in the conduct of the assessment, or any extenuating circumstances that were unforeseen and unavoidable. You have 28 days to submit your appeal after you receive your results.
To get advice on whether to make an academic appeal you can email the student advice team at advice@cardiff.ac.uk or call them on 029 2078 1410.
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to improve your cv and help the local community whilst also learning new transferable life skills. It’s a great way to make a difference whilst also making new friends, and at Cardiff University there are so many different projects you can get involved with, such as to help homelessness, children, or the environment If there isn’t a project you’re interested in you can even create your own project!
To get in touch with the volunteering team at Cardiff University you can email them at Volunteering@cardiff.ac.uk or call them on 029 2078 1494.
Wellbeing
Cardiff University has a great range of wellbeing services to help students, including self-help resources and workshops, courses and groups. The team also offers wellbeing drop-ins and counselling appointments for students to help them deal with any issues that may negatively be affecting their education.
To get in touch with the wellbeing team at Cardiff University you can email them at wellbeingandcounselling@cardiff.ac.uk or by calling them on 029 2251 8888.
