University of Sheffield or Cardiff University? Or maybe Glasgow?

Question

I'm a student of English, and I'm thinking of studying in the UK for a year on an Erasmus grant, and have narrowed my choices down to two: University of Sheffield or Cardiff University. I'd appreciate any experiences people have on studying in either one of these universities. Are the campuses modern/urban or historical? What's it like living in Sheffield/Cardiff and what do they have to offer? Is Sheffield as industrial in appearance as one might think? Would you describe Cardiff as a big or a small city? What's the weather like? I did consider Glasgow as well, but I'm afraid the reputation the city has made me cast it aside. Should I reconsider? Thanks! :)

Answer 1

Cardiff has 330,000 people. It is a great place to study and live. Large numbers of students stay here after graduating (true).

There is fantastic nightlife, bars, restaurants, clubs galore. Loads of cinemas. Friendly people. You are two minutes from the sea and ten minutes from open country.

The National Museum of Wales has the second-largest collection of French Impressionist paintings in the world. (Not many people know that!). We have a castle in the centre of the city.

You are only 25 miles south of the Brecon Beacons - an vast, sweeping panorama of beauty. London is just 140 miles up the M4 and Birmingham 100 miles up the M5.

There are theatres, every shop imaginable (including the likes of Karen Millen), the Millennium Stadium (pop concerts as well as rugby), the Cardiff International Arena (more pop concerts and shows) and hundreds of taxis.

At least 5 branches of Starbucks, plus various others including Costa. Two rail stations in the city centre. Loads of hotels, including the 5-star St David's Hotel in the amazing Cardiff Bay development. (Cost £3,000 million to create - wonderful area for theatre, restaurants, bars, chilling out).

Cardiff University has some of the finest lecturers - many writers teach on the English courses. Many courses require AAB ,ABB grades.

There is the huge University Hospital of Wales where, on any weekday, there are around 3,000 people (staff, visitors, students, patients, builders, tradespeople, etc).

There are probably 15,000+ students - VERY lively student life! Loads of student accommodation all over the city.

You won't be sorry you came here and you will likely stay on!

Answer 2

Sheffield To Cardiff

Answer 3

I went to sheffield uni for a year and a half, and I also visited Cardiff uni

Cardiff is a beautiful city, Sheffield on the other hand is not an attractive city. Sheffield is a modern, urban place and lacks history, unless you count the bitter now-unemployed steel workers. It's also FREEZING cold.

The halls themselves were great fun at Sheffield and the night life is good. But the teaching was appalling - they take no personal interest in their students, you can't get the books you need for love nor money, I didnt understand a word the lecturers said despite getting good A levels. I wouldnt recommend Sheffield

Answer 4

Call me old fashioned but I would visit somewhere before I decided to spend 3 or more years of my life there. I haven't been to Cardiff but it rates 16th on the Times Good University guide, Sheffield is 24th and Glasgow is 28th. This tells you nothing about how good each is for teaching English, though, or for the type of university they are. Glasgow is by far the oldest of the three. Do not believe the caricature of Glasgow as some kind of violent, decaying city. There may be lots of high rise flats on the outskirts but I didn't see them. Central Glasgow is full of fine Georgian buildings, trendy shopping centres, museums, bookshops, restaurants and bars. It's famous for Charles Rennie Macintosh. It's a bit like an older, Scottish equivalent of Leeds. Sheffield is neither as historic nor as trendy. A downside is that Glasgow can be cold, though.

Answer 5

Do NOT let Glasgow's now undeserved reputation put you off!!!!

Glasgow has been massively cleaned up in the last few years and the West End (where the University of Glasgow is situated) is one of, if not the nicest, parts!

I went to the University of Stirling but used to go to Glasgow every so often and I loved it! I don't know anyone who has been to Glasgow Uni and not loved living in Glasgow. Glasgow is the friendliest city in Scotland, there's loads of music and comedy gigs going on, it has brilliant shopping and the glaswegians are the friendliest people in Scotland, if not in Britain!

I urge you to reconsider - the university has a great (deserved) reputation and there is some fab architecture and history in the city.

Answer 6

Cardiff has to be it for any student.
Proximity to city Centre bars and clubs is 1 or 2 miles only!
Taxi fare only 80p each!
Cheap booze nites, Monday to Thursday!
Central train station to anywhere fast.
M4 motorway close, London 2 hours, Manchester 3 hours max.
All campuses are modern, many nearly new.
Wish I was young again............

Answer 7

cardiff is the fastest growing city in europe. its a great place to be with many things to do. many students njoy here and you will too.