[HDNG]INTRODUCTION:[EHDNG][PARA][BULL] Formerly Polytechnic of Wales[EBOLD][PARA]In south Wales, up the Taff Valley from Cardiff, is the market town of Pontypridd. A mile away is the slate and stone village of Treforest and overlooking it on a steep hillside are the 70 acres of the University of Glamorgan campus. It's a mixture of building styles with a few attempts to prettify the place, such as concrete ponds. [ITAL]The main attraction isn't the University itself, but the extraordinary views it affords over the valley, especially when it's not raining.[EITAL] Those who are struck with a desire to listen to Tom Jones singing 'Green Green Grass of Home' will be forgiven.[HDNG]ATMOSPHERE:[EHDNG][PARA][ITAL]Students at Glamorgan could be said to get the best of both worlds: the advantages of the peace and intensity of an academic community on the one hand; the convenience of local amenities with Pontypridd just 1 mile away on the other. Alternatively, it's a boring place without the saving grace of proper seclusion. It's a question of attitude. Most of the students actually living on the campus are 1st years (2nd and 3rd years mostly live out), and fun fixes come from frequent visits to Cardiff. The high proportion of mature students obviously has an influence, too. Local relations could be better, but generally, there's a pleasant tone and a complete lack of pretension.[EITAL][HDNG]THE TOWN:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Population: 35,000 [BULL] London: 145miles [BULL] Cardiff: 15miles [BULL] Birmingham: 90miles[ESTAT][PARA]There are 3 towns to consider: (i) Treforest. Corner shop, post office, train station. Consider it considered. (ii) Pontypridd, which is, of course, Welsh for 'the bridge near the earthen cottage', and is familiarly known as 'Ponty'. It's an old town, built mainly on the money of local coal mining in the last century which has now been spent, leaving a depressed, working class community. Although it's still small, Ponty's got enough amenities for daily needs: shops (none stay open late), supermarket, book shops, banks, market and a local history museum for the sizable tourist trade. And (iii) Cardiff. Only 20 minutes away by train. See [ULNE]Cardiff, University of Wales[EULNE].[HDNG]TRAVEL:[EHDNG][PARA][BOLD]Trains:[EBOLD] From Treforest station, only 400 yards from the campus trains go every 20 mins to Cardiff (ú1.90). Unfortunately the last return train is just after 10pm. From Cardiff, it's possible to get trains all over the country (see [ULNE]Cardiff, University of Wales[EULNE]).[PARA][BOLD]Coaches:[EBOLD] National Express to London (ú17.00, 3:35hrs, 2/day), Cardiff, which is a better bet for getting elsewhere, (ú1.10, 30mins, 2/day).[PARA][BOLD]Car:[EBOLD] Treforest is on the A470, and about 8 miles off the M4.[PARA][BOLD]Hitching:[EBOLD] The Welsh take pity on hitchers and once on the M4, [ITAL]prospects are good (except if dropped in the home counties).[EITAL][PARA][BOLD]Local:[EBOLD] There are local bus services going every 20 mins to Ponty for 25p and every 25 mins to Cardiff (cú2) - last bus from Cardiff is at 11.30pm. A free shuttle bus within a 10 mile radius of the campus is run for students after 10.30pm.[PARA][BOLD]Taxis:[EBOLD] Cabs to Ponty work out at about ú1.50.[PARA][BOLD]Bicycles:[EBOLD] The roads have hills and holes and bike theft is a bit of a problem.[HDNG]FACULTIES and STUDENT NOS:[EHDNG][PARA][BOLD]Business[EBOLD] 2,672[BOLD][PARA]Hum/Soc Sci[EBOLD] 1,308[BOLD][PARA]Law/Finance[EBOLD] 1,014[BOLD][PARA]Computer Studs[EBOLD] 814[BOLD][PARA]App Sci[EBOLD] 759[BOLD][PARA]Civ Eng[EBOLD] 754[BOLD][PARA]Electronics/IT[EBOLD] 531[BOLD][PARA]Property[EBOLD] 433[BOLD][HDNG]LIBRARIES and COMPUTERS:[EHDNG][EBOLD][PARA][BOLD][STAT][BULL] Books: 140,000 [BULL] Periodicals: 1,000 [BULL] Study places: 750 [BULL] Computer workstations: 1,000[ESTAT][EBOLD][PARA]The Learning Resources Centre contains the main library (open until 11.45pm), a book shop, complete TV and sound studios and photographic darkroom.[HDNG]CAREER PROSPECTS:[EHDNG][PARA][STAT][BULL] Careers Service [BULL] No of staff: 5full [BULL] Unemployed after 6mths (1992): 16.8%[ESTAT][PARA]Students often find jobs in computing, chemical engineering and other areas linked to the many vocational courses.[HDNG]SPECIAL FEATURES:[EHDNG][PARA][BULL]There's a multitude of sheep, some of whom have been spotted around University accommodation.[HDNG]FAMOUS ALUMNI:[EHDNG][PARA]Max Boyce (Welsh funny man); Ian Hamer (Olympic athlete); Nigel Davies, Rupert Moon (Welsh Rugby Union caps).[HDNG]FURTHER INFO:[EHDNG][PARA]There is an official prospectus and, by way of a more alternative guide, The Union Handbook produced by the SU.
