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The overall ranking is decided by students from this institution rating them in a 2026 Whatuni review. This forms the basis of the Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs for short).
5.04.04.63494 Student reviews
Sort:Latest reviewsBest thing is the centrality of the university, worse thing is probably the lecture rooms. Some of the rooms are very large and can be quite intimidating when filled with students.
Uni is fun and nice.
Facilities are great and there are always plenty available. Close to both town and green spaces which is nice.
When I first joined university, I was extremely excited. Coming from an individual who did not have a sense of freedom back it felt so refreshing to have the chance to let myself grow. Meeting new people, going to new places and most importantly, discovering new things about me I wasn’t quite sure on. Another best aspect of my University experience is TAF FRIDAY!! I absolutely adore the taf because it’s such an intimate setting for people to have a blast in, the bar staff are always lovely and it’s just such a great environment to be in. I don’t know if this is a thing already but maybe incorporating some music would be a great step for people. Especially for introverted people who can talk about the music if they have bad conversation starters. Overall, the taf is great. My best experience in University is definitely the friends I’ve made. They are amazing!! they motivate me to go to my lectures and they’re always there for me when I need them to be. I’m so happy that Cardiff enrolled them in the University, best coincidence ever. Another worst aspect of University is definitely the yolo queue. I’ve got such an excellent idea in order for people to not freeze outside the line and for the process of letting people in quicker for not only the students but for the SU security too! If people have bought their yolo ticket, I think we need to enforce a ‘fast track pass’ if students have bought their ticket we create a separate line for them so that they can get in quicker. I think it’s simply fair, buy your ticket earlier = easier way in. A great aspect of Cardiff University is the support for students under-going mental health issues. The services are great! I remember when I was once in a position where I didn’t want to attend my lectures and see people so I spoke to one of the services that help students facing hardship and they gave me really great advice! (Student connect) I really feel as though when it comes to students who aren’t necessarily mentally prepared for exams and work stress, the university provides a great support system for them. Thank you for that. The campus itself, is great but I think it would be even greater if we had a more diverse range of shops. I think students need to feel as though they have some resources that they are familiar with (in terms of their ethnic background) maybe implementing things from countries that students can be attracted to and feel a sense of home. Especially international students who don’t get to go home every weekend like non-international students do. Maybe the SU can bring home to the students who aren’t necessarily far away from home. It doesn’t have to be extravagant but just subtle things to ensure that they reminded that they are cared for. Worst aspect of university is definitely balancing your social life with work. It can be pretty tiresome and frustrating as you want o have fun but you know that you also have to prioritise work. I’m still learning how to do that and I guess it’s part of the learning experience that a majority of people have to face. University has definitely given me a sense of autonomy and independence.
The look and feel of some buildings could be improved.
Very student friendly city. It is lovely in the summer but quite bleak and a bit grotty in the winter. Good sports facilities.
Best aspects - good university where the lecturers care about students. Worst aspects - they never put the heating on in cafes and the library, so it is very cold to study in winter.
Lack of free parking makes it difficult for students who commute, but the quality of teaching is excellent as well as the amount of student support.
The location and how close buildings are to each other makes it very walkable and easy to get from one lecture to the other. The student services are extreme helpful and reply quickly to enquires. I would improve the toilettes especially thos in the law building and tower building.
Positives: Supportive Environment – Cardiff has great student support services, from academic guidance to mental health resources. The tutors are generally approachable, and there’s help available when you need it. Affordable Living – Compared to other major UK cities, Cardiff is much more budget-friendly. Rent, food, and entertainment are all reasonably priced, making student life a bit easier. Lively Student Life – With a buzzing nightlife, plenty of societies, and an active student community, there’s always something happening. It’s a great place to meet people and get involved in different activities. Campus & Facilities – The university has good libraries, study spaces, and labs. Plus, the mix of historic and modern buildings gives the campus a unique charm. Location & Green Spaces – Being in the capital of Wales, everything is within walking distance, and you’re never far from beautiful parks like Bute Park. Cardiff Bay is also a great place to relax. Worst Aspects (Areas for Improvement): Accommodation Issues – While there are plenty of options, some university accommodations could be better maintained, and finding good private housing can be competitive. Strikes & Disruptions – Like many UK universities, industrial action sometimes disrupts teaching, which can be frustrating for students who rely on lectures and tutorials. Limited Study Spaces in Peak Times – The libraries and study areas can get overcrowded, especially during exam season. It can be tough to find a quiet spot to work. Career Support for Certain Fields – While the university does provide career services, some students feel that more tailored advice and industry connections would help, especially in niche or competitive fields.
Best aspects of the uni include: - how walkable everything is in terms of both studies (lecture buildings, student union) as well as outside of studies (shops, transport links). - the opportunities available through the uni in all areas to advance myself (sports societies, workshops, CV support, jobshop). - the student union is really great, there is so much to get involved with Worst aspects of the uni include: - With the news of the cut backs with the uni it does cause some uncertainty.
The city is nice and everything essential mostly seems to be within walking distance. Going forward they could make the rubric for specific assignments clearer.
Best is definitely the resources and support we can access as well as the extra steps they take to ensure our success and wellbeing.
35-44 years
First gen student
The holidays and deadlines are organised to suit the lecturers and not the students. Some computer rooms need updating. Some of the toilets need refurbishing.
Good and diverse people. More emphasis on extra curricular activities.
18-24 years
A very social university, for all - whether you want to go out all the time or do not drink, I think the opportunities to meet like-minded people are there for you to take. For instance, wet dippers, art, yoga, and dance are great examples of activities that are centered around alcohol. Cardiff is a walkable and accessible city, with beaches and national parks a bus/train ride away. My lecturers have been engaging and supportive throughout my time at Cardiff University, and I have felt well-supported academically (I do think more could be done to help with graduate jobs). I would say the housing available in Cathays is very poor, we had a lot of issues with mould/ damp (which housemate got so ill from, they had to move out) - and we did not have much support regarding this. Student safety seems like a media campaign rather than a proactive thing to be doing - with the SU failing to check bags before club nights and numerous stories of friends getting kicked out when they were drunk and vulnerable with nobody making sure they would get home okay. To further this, I am not confident in the University when it comes to handling serious situations like sexual harassment and sexual assault, I also think their mental health and wellbeing department is inefficient and ineffective.
There are modern and nice study spaces available, however there is also a lot of very dated study areas, such as in the engineering buildings. The 24hr library is dated and you often cant find space to sit during exam season. Many areas in the engineering buildings get very cold in winter, which makes me study elsewhere.
4.5
I love the student life, many pubs, bars and the SU is great. There are loads of places to eat and study, and I love the student gym. The SU is very accommodating and helpful.
Some of the course content can be boring. Some of the lecturers and slides can be hard to follow and understand, some powerpoints have 100 slides and I feel this is not beneficial to learning and revision. Also I feel the psychology building could do with a refurb, for example the common room is a place to study, however it isn't very modern or comfortable.
The student accommodation wasn't great. It was very very small, hard to live in, and expensive for what it is. It is a bit of a walk to lectures which is fine but can be isolating for student life.