UWIC (Detailed Info)

Founded: 1976 as South Glamorgan Institute from colleges of art, education, technology, food technology and commerce.

Structural features: College of Wales University since 1996.

Location: 4 major sites in Cardiff, within easy travelling distance of each other and the city centre.

Getting there: By rail to Cardiff Central (2 hours from London), or coach (central bus station next to train station); close to M4, some 40 miles from M5 junction. Howard Gardens Campus close to train/bus stations; local bus services connect all campuses, plus UWIC's own bus service, UWICRider.

Awarding body: Wales University.

Main undergraduate awards: BA, BSc.

Length of courses: 3 years; others 4 years.

Library & IT facilities: 4 libraries, total of 280,000 volumes, 1900 periodicals, 1000 study places; reference and short-term collections. Access through library computer to British Library and Library of Congress (London).

Special collections: Permanent collection of prints and books on the work of the designer Erte. Annual expenditure on information provision, £73 per (FTE) student. Library and IT services converged. Ratio workstations to students 1:9; access to internet (thence library) from 600 machines. Access to IT facilities 24 hours/day in term-time; IT staff support. Other learning facilities: Extensive collection of slides.

Study abroad: Opportunities for students to spend time abroad. Formal exchange links with a number of EU universities/colleges, open to non-language students.

Careers & Jobs: Careers advisory service.

Student advice & services: Doctor, nurses, chaplain, counsellors, disability service, accommodation office and financial advisory service.

Sporting facilities: Indoor sports centre; sports halls, national indoor athletics centre, Lawn Tennis Association complex, gymnasia, swimming pool, athletic track (international standard), indoor and outdoor tennis courts, rugby and football pitches; Wales Sports Centre for the Disabled; access to all sporting facilities of Cardiff University and to Welsh Institute of Sport.

Accommodation: 90% of first years in UWIC accommodation. 1000 places available: self-catering £53-£66 (ensuite) per week, full-board £81 pw; all on academic year (39-week) contracts. Accommodation service helps find private rented accommodation. 20% of first degree students live at home.

Living expenses budget: Minimum budget of £6800 pa (excluding tuition fees) recommended by university.

Term time work: College Job Shop helps students find local part-time work.

Financial help: Government funds £463,500. Apply for help to Student Financial Advisory Service, Student Services, Llandaff Campus.