[HDNG]INTRODUCTION:[EHDNG][PARA][BULL] The College is part of University of Wales.[EBOLD][PARA]Cardiff, over the Channel from Bristol, is Wales's largest city and, since 1955, its capital. Around the northern outskirts is industry and housing, built with the riches from the coal mines. Nearer Cardiff's centre, splendid Victorian and Georgian buildings are [ITAL]thoughtfully [EITAL]interspersed with greenery. [ITAL]Amid this elegance[EITAL] - the museums and buildings of civic significance - are the University's buildings, [ITAL]very attractive [EITAL]and mostly typical of the [ITAL]tasteful [EITAL]local white and grey stone architecture. Some are more modern, but still [ITAL]very pleasant[EITAL] with gardens and walkways between. Ornate gates and doorways abound, all clean and quiet despite being at the city's heart.[HDNG]ATMOSPHERE:[EHDNG][PARA][ITAL]It's easier to say what Cardiff isn't. It isn't the home of the ancient Aztecs and it also isn't frantic and frenetic, despite being in a city. It isn't a place of town and gown tensions. The people of Cardiff are friendly enough to students, who are a multifarious, relaxed crowd if a little prepossessed with rugby and drinking. There's plenty of ways of passing one's days with a wide range of facilities and activities. The Students' Union spends more time being a successful multi-million pound company than a political fighting force.[EITAL][PARA][PARA][ITAL][HDNG]THE CITY:[EHDNG][EITAL][PARA][ITAL][STAT][BULL] Population: 272, 600 [BULL] London: 143miles [BULL] Bristol: 30miles [BULL] Swansea: 40miles[ESTAT][EITAL][PARA]The University, along with the civic buildings, dominates the city centre, most of which is closed to cars. But the traffic flows through unfussed and the people leave little litter. It's just 5 miles into the South Wales countryside. As the major urban centre for the whole of Wales, Cardiff is well kitted out: shopping malls and supermarkets; banks and book shops (including 2nd hand); late-night shopping and many provisions designed for the tourists, including lots of museums, galleries (National Museum of Wales, Turner House Gallery, Welsh Industrial and Maritime Museum, etc) and the Castle (1/2 Roman, 1/2 Norman, 1/2 medieval, 1/2 mathematical impossibility).[HDNG]TRAVEL:[EHDNG][PARA][BOLD]Trains: [EBOLD]Direct trains from Cardiff Central: London (2hrs, 1/hr); Birmingham; Bristol; Edinburgh; and so on.[PARA][BOLD]Coaches: [EBOLD]National Express to most places: London (ú14.75, 3:05hrs, 7/day), Bristol (ú4.35, 1:15hrs, 1/hr), Birmingham (ú16.50, 2:20hrs, every 2hrs), Swansea (ú3.25, 1:10hrs, every 2hrs).[PARA][BOLD]Car: [EBOLD]Parts of the city centre are for pedestrians only. To get to Cardiff, there's the M4, A449 and A48. [ITAL]A car's not really necessary since the invention of feet. Nice for the countryside, though.[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Air: [EBOLD]Cardiff Airport has flights to the Channel Islands, Ireland, and even the USA, as well as inland trips.[PARA][BOLD]Hitching: [EBOLD]The M4's a bonus - only 5 mins walk from the campus - and the Welsh are willing.[PARA][BOLD]Local: [EBOLD]Cathays BR station is the closest (just a couple of mins) and ú1 takes you to Cardiff Central Station. Local bus services run every 20-30 mins all round town. They're reliable with an average trip costing 50p.[PARA][BOLD]Taxis: [EBOLD]Lots of firms [ITAL]will happily extort [EITAL]about ú1.50 for the privilege of a ride it'd take 10 mins to walk.[PARA][BOLD]Bicycles: [EBOLD]Everything's within cycling distance and there are sheds at all the halls. Bikes have been known to ride off by themselves though.[HDNG]NOS and REQUIREMENTS:[EHDNG][PARA][BOLD]Health/Life[EBOLD] 1,501 22pts[BOLD][PARA]Phys Sci[EBOLD] 1,148 18pts[BOLD][PARA]Engineering[EBOLD] 1,610 22pts[BOLD][PARA]Business/Law[EBOLD] 2,181 22pts[BOLD][PARA]Humanities[EBOLD] 3,091 22pts[HDNG]LIBRARIES and COMPUTERS:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Books: 640,000 [BULL] Periodicals: 5,000 [BULL] Study places: 3,000 [BULL] Computer workstations: 830[ESTAT][PARA]There are 9 libraries in all, mostly open from about 9am to 9pm, but only 3 main ones: the Arts and Social Science Library, the Aberconway Library and the Science Library. Co-stars: Law and Architecture.[HDNG]CAREER PROSPECTS:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Careers Service [BULL] No of staff: 3full/1part [BULL] Unemployed after 6mths (1992): 8.3%[ESTAT][HDNG]SPECIAL FEATURES:[EHDNG][PARA][BULL]You know what they say: life's a beach. Cardiff is sufficiently equipped in both the sandy and stony varieties. Surfing's possible, even if it is a long way from Waikiki.[PARA][BULL]34% of Cardiff students are from Wales, but less than 5% are Welsh-speaking. There is provision for Welsh-speaking study, but it has to be arranged separately.[PARA][BULL]The University was built with money from Welsh miners.[HDNG]FAMOUS ALUMNI:[EHDNG][PARA]Neil and Glenys Kinnock met here in the days when Cardiff was more left wing (in fact, when Neil was more left wing). He rose to become Union President. Also: Tim Sebastian (BBC); Roy Jenkins (SDP 'Gang of 4' and now a Lib Dem Lord); Sian Phillips (actress); Sian Lloyd (weather woman); Sir Graham Day (British Aerospace Chairman).[HDNG]FURTHER INFO:[EHDNG][PARA]Prospectuses for undergrads, postgrads and extra-mural students from the University. 'The Ultimate Guide' from the SU with a Sports and Societies Supplement from the Athletic Union is sent to Freshers upon confirmation. There's a Welsh language handbook, and handbooks for women and overseas students, too.[PARA][PARA]
