Does anyone have any knowledge of Cardiff university?

[Sarahcoggles]

DS is keen on Cardiff as the course looks good (human geography and planning), but I'm confused about accommodation. It says it's a campus university when I google, but when we went to the open day it seemed as if the halls of residence were scattered all over the place, and there didn't seem to be a campus feel to it. Having said that, our train was cancelled and we arrived late, so had a bit of a whistle-stop tour and didn't see much.
Does anyone have a child there who knows what it's like?

Hi there. Yes one dc at Cardiff doing that course too. They are currently in halls at talybont south. A short walk away. Really nice halls with excellent security.

You might find these very recent threads of interest, OP:

www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4661249-to-believe-that-this-man-should-not-be-allowed-to-live-at-student-halls?

www.mumsnet.com/talk/higher_education/4661347-cardiff-university

It's not a campus university at all I don't think. We too went to the recent open day and were disappointed with the accomodation, saw the Talybonts and senghennydd hall (oh dear) which is the closest to the main building (5 mins).

Parts of Cardiff we really liked and others not at all, just got a kind of weird vibe about it and the traffic was appalling. Our city tour was mostly sat in traffic.

It was a shame as the courses (geology and exploration geology) looked really good but DS said no.

I think the senghennyddHall was the one we saw, and I thought it looked horrible.

Is your DC enjoying the course and life in halls?

Totally out of date, but I was in Senghennydd Hall in the late 90's. There were a few new en-suite blocks in the middle, but the main blocks backing onto the railway tracks were pretty dire even then.

I would always advise anyone looking at Cardiff to pick Talybont as they seemed to meet far more people and have a much better community feel.

It's not a campus uni but it's a small city and there's more integration of 'town and gown'. Sengennydd used to be The place to go (over 20 yrs ago admittedly ) as it was closest to the Great Hall (gigs) and Taf (Student Union pub) and club. Rest of halls are scattered around but mostly near or in Roath or Cathays which are residential areas mostly populated by students.

I loved it and went back for my post grad a few years later. But I'm not your DS.

We did the open day too, DD loved it, and as far as I'm aware they advise talybont for the first years. The senghennydd was what we saw too which was rather dismal! Definitely not a campus Uni is that is what they want.

Would also recommend talybont accom for first years, I suppose since a load of the sports facilities are also by the talybont site it's sort of like a campus uni. Honestly it's a really fab university and cardiff is a wonderful place to be a student in so I would highly recommend!

Following with interest OP, I'm also sneaking a question in, I hope you don't mind.

Anyone got any thoughts on Aberdare Hall? I know it's female only so no good for the OP but my DD is interested.

Have a DD at Cardiff in her third year of a four year course. She was in talybont in her first year and had a ball. She loves the small city too, walks everywhere. Also it’s only a short train ride to the nearest beaches. She’s having a great time

This gives cause for concern about Cardiff's vetting and safeguarding procedures:
www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/man-who-strangled-woman-given-25319459

Thanks @GinWithChocolate that's rather worrying

DH was there for four years and loved it. First year was Cathays. It's a good university.

It's not a campus. It's a collection of uni buildings in a small area just north of the city.

The surrounding area, Cathays, is dominated by students to such an extent that hardly anyone else lives there, which does make for a fun atmosphere.

The most sought after first year hall accommodation is 20 mins walk north, the Talybonts; Taly South being the most sought after for sociability. It's not luxurious but all en-suite, fairly priced and very convenient for Bute Park.

Senghenydd (also known as Senghetto - which probably says it all) but is in a more convenient position for Uni buildings so hopefully location might go some way make up the drab facilities.

It is not a campus university at all, but it is a great university and a pretty safe place to go as a young person. Like with anywhere, there are some less appealing areas but as far I remember they're nowhere near the uni buildings or halls etc. Not even the city centre is "rough" more ad you go out towards Cardiff Bay (but no Cardiff Bay itself - that's lovely).
Talybont Court or South is where he would want to be. Talybont North was fairly run down previously, they may have redone it since though.
Not sure on the other halls as never saw them.
Talybont has a community / campus feel but you're correct it is not a campus uni like Bath etc.

She absolutely loves it. The halls are perfect. We know Cardiff very well though and have always loved it as a city. She feels very safe there.