Helping you find
{a place to live}
Contents 1
Welcome to Europe’s Youngest Capital...Cardiff!
2-3
Halls Accommodation
6-7
Cyncoed Halls Of Residence
8-9
Plas Gwyn Halls Of Residence
10-15
Privately Owned Halls Accommodation
16
Post Graduate Students & Students with Disabilities
17
Allocations Policy & Local Students
18
How you will receive your Halls offer
20
Paying Accommodation Fees
21
Information For EU & International Students
22
Private Student Accommodation
23
Cardiff Met Rider Bus Service & Cardiff Buses
24
Smoking Policy & Car Parking Policy
25
Accommodation Contact Details
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Welcome to Europe’s Youngest Capital... Cardiff has a large student population, and as a result the city caters for most student needs. It is an exciting place to live and study. Whilst remaining compact, the city has everything that one would expect of a capital, renowned arts facilities and exceptional shopping and night life. Within a few miles of the city centre, however, you will find breathtaking rugged coastline and unspoilt countryside.
The Accommodation Service For many students, especially for those who may be leaving home for the first time, the prospect of finding suitable accommodation can seem quite daunting.
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Halls Accommodation Cardiff Metropolitan University owned halls consist of just under 1000 study bedrooms located at the Cyncoed and Plas Gwyn campuses. In addition, we have reserved halls for Cardiff Met students with Liberty Living plc and Victoria Halls plc which are privately owned halls accommodation providers. All halls and private accommodation enquiries are dealt with by the Accommodation Services Team. The team will deal with all your enquiries, including the processing of your online halls application and all halls allocations. Once you have been allocated a place in halls and arrive at the start of term the Halls Manager for your site will be in charge of the day to day running of the halls. All of Cardiff Met’s halls of residence are managed by the Residences Team and the privately owned halls are managed by their own team of Halls Managers. You are welcome to visit to view the various residences but a prior appointment is strongly advised.This can be arranged through the relevant Halls Office.
Halls Managers & Student Wardens Halls Managers are present at each of the Cardiff Met halls and are supported by a team of trained student wardens who are usually mature or final year students who have previously lived in halls. Evening and weekend duty rotas ensure that a member of staff, and a student warden are always available to deal with queries or emergencies. The privately owned halls have their own security arrangements in place on all of their developments.
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Internet All rooms in Cardiff Met halls have a high speed data and internet service. A wireless service is also available in all of the halls. If you have your own PC or Laptop with an Ethernet adapter, you can access the internet, email and messenger applications from your own room over a fast, always on network connection at any time of the day or night. Private halls also have broadband internet in each room. For more information please visit:
IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) This service allows you to view all Freeview channels on your PC or Laptop so you will not need to bring a TV with you. It is available in all student rooms in Cardiff Met Halls. Please note that you will still need to purchase a TV licence. In addition each kitchen area has a communal TV with Freeview.
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Cyncoed Halls of Residence The Cyncoed Campus provides accommodation for students studying at the Cyncoed Campus. There are currently over 500 single study bedrooms on the Cyncoed Campus and they are offered on a 40 week contract.
Catered Standard & Catered En-suite Rooms The majority of the rooms at Cyncoed are Catered, which means students have their meals included in the price. Details of costs are available on the ‘Halls fees’ section of the Accommodation web pages. Students have two meals per day - breakfast and evening meal seven days a week. As breakfast is a very important meal of the day, students find this exceptionally convenient to have it prepared for them every morning before attending lectures. All meals are served in the main refectory on campus and are freshly prepared by Cardiff Met’s in house catering staff. The meals vary each day and are of a high quality. Catered standerd rooms have the added advantage of being much larger than the self catered rooms and include a washbasin. Students share the kitchen and main bathroom facilities. With the Catered en-suite rooms, students have their own bathrooms and share the kitchen. Catered flats tend to have a friendlier atmosphere where students find it easier to bond in the first few weeks as they get together at meal times. Facilities provided in the catered kitchens include hobs, microwave, fridges and freezer, kettle, and cupboard space.
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Self Catered Rooms There are a limited number of Self Catered en-suite rooms at Cyncoed. The standard rooms house up to 10 students in each flat sharing the kitchen. The ensuite rooms have their own shower and WC facility and the kitchen is shared with up to 10 students. These rooms are slightly smaller than the catered rooms. Students will need to bring their own cutlery and crockery etc to prepare their own meals. Facilities provided in the self-catered kitchens include an oven, hob, microwave, fridge, freezer, kettle, ironing board and cupboard space. Non catered students can also purchase meals on a pay as you go basis, or purchase a Lunch Club Package. The catered option allows you to pre-pay for the whole year without the worry of budgeting for food each term.
Other facilities on this campus include: Laundry Lockable Bicycle Sheds Bus stop on site with buses direct to the city cenre
Vending machines Student shop Student Union bar Main Refectory - K1 Café bar - The Bench Sports facilities Gym and Swimming pool
National Indoor Athletics Centre (NIAC)
Tennis Centre Please note there is no parking on the Cyncoed campus for resident students.
Broadband and IPTV are included in all Cardiff Met halls of residence rooms.This service and all fuel bills are included in the halls fees. Please note that all offers for any Cyncoed rooms will be made via email. Please check your email account regularly.
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Plas Gwyn Halls of Residence The Plas Gwyn Halls are located approximately two miles from the city centre in the small cathedral city of Llandaff and provide accommodation for students studying at the Llandaff Campus. The Plas Gwyn Campus consists of 391 single study bedrooms and are offered on a 40 week contract. The flats generally house up to eight students who share the kitchen facilities. All rooms have their own en-suite shower and WC facility. Students would need to bring their own cutlery and crockery etc to prepare their own meals. Facilities provided in the kitchens include an oven, hob, microwave, fridge freezer, kettle and cupboard storage. Broadband and IPTV are included in the all Cardiff Met halls of residence rooms. This service and all fuel bills are included in Halls Fees. Please note that all offers for any Plas Gwyn rooms will be made via email. Please check your email account regularly.
Other facilities on this campus include: Laundry Lockable Bicycle Sheds Bus stop close to site with regular buses to the city centre
TV Lounge Vending machines Computer room (20 hours per day) Multi-use Games area, includes: • • • • •
Five-a-side Football Basketball Netball Hockey Dodgeball
Please note there is no parking on the Plas Gwyn campus for resident students.
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Other facilities available at the Llandaff study campus include: The Gallery & Atrium cafes Student Union Fitness centre Learning centre with 21 hour per day open access
Lockable bike sheds
Other facilities within the nearby Llandaff village include:
Halls Managers There are Halls Managers based at both the Cyncoed and Plas Gwyn Halls of Residence who manage the halls on a day to day basis from their on site administration office. The Halls Managers are available Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.00pm (4.30pm on Friday). There are also security staff and a trained team of resident student wardens available to provide assistance and to co-ordinate any emergency support if required. Their combined presence on campus means that they provide a 24hr service to resident students.
Local shops Banks & Post Office Restaurants Bars & pubs The Llandaff Cathedral is set within quiet scenic grounds
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Privately Owned Halls Accommodation Due to a high demand for halls accommodation, we have also secured halls rooms for Cardiff Metropolitan University students in Halls of Residences owned and managed by the private sector. Apply for these Halls through Cardiff Met Accommodation Services – You will find the Halls Application Form on line at Cardiff Metropolitan Web site: cardiffmet.ac.uk/accommodation Cardiff Met has nomination arrangements with two private providers in Cardiff. These are Liberty Living plc and Victoria Halls plc.
Liberty House - Halls of Residence Clodien Avenue, Cardiff CF14 3NS These halls are owned and managed by Liberty Living plc and offered on a 42 week contract. Cardiff Met has secured rooms in a block within this private hall of residence. Liberty House is ideally placed for students studying at the Cyncoed Campus. It is a ten minute ride on the Met Rider Bus Service to the Cyncoed Campus.
Other facilities on this campus include: Shared kitchen/dining/living areas Flats for 4 to 7 students Laundry Bicycle racks CCTV security Caretaker service / manned security throughout the night
Bus stop only few minutes walk away Local shops and pubs 10 cardiffmet.ac.uk
The Student Union, Student Centre, IT suites and fitness facilities can all be accessed at the Llandaff or Cyncoed study campuses. The Liberty Court Halls offer mainly single study bedrooms. There are a few premier (double en-suite) rooms. The premier rooms will be charged at a higher rate than that of the single en-suite rooms.
All flats have fitted carpets throughout, wardrobe, chest of drawers, desk and chair, curtains, mirror, Internet and TV aerial outlet. En-suite bathroom facilities include shower, wash basin, toilet and mirror. The kitchen is fully fitted with an ironing board. www.libertyliving.co.uk/city cardiff The contract for these halls will be between the student and Liberty Living plc. Please note there is no parking at Liberty Court for resident students.
Liberty Court Halls of Residence North Road, near the Gabalfa Roundabout, Cardiff CF14 3BP These halls are owned and managed by Liberty Living plc and are offered on a 42 week contract. These halls are situated just under a mile from the Llandaff Campus and just 2 miles from the city centre. There are over 200 rooms, all are self catered with en-suite bathroom facilities and internet access.
Other facilities on this campus include: Shared kitchen/dining/living areas
Flats for 4 to 7 students Laundry Bicycle racks CCTV security Caretaker service / manned security throughout the night
Bus stop only few minutes walk away
Local shops and pubs The Students Union, the Bench Cafe, Shops, Student Centre, Main Refectory, IT suites and Fitness Facilities can all be accessed at the Cyncoed campus. Liberty House offers single study bedrooms. All flats have fitted carpets throughout, wardrobe, chest of drawers, desk and chair, curtains, mirror, Internet, communal TV and common room. En-suite bathroom facilities include shower, wash basin, toilet and mirror. The kitchen is fully fitted and includes an ironing board. The contract for these halls will be between the student and Liberty Living plc. Please note there is no parking at Liberty House for resident students. cardiffmet.ac.uk 11
Liberty Severn Point Halls of Residence 13 Llys Tal-Y-Bont Road, off Blackweir Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 3EX These halls are owned and managed by Liberty Living plc, and are offered in a 42 week contract. Liberty Severn Point is ideally placed for students studying at the Llandaff study Campus, and in close proximity to Cardiff City centre. It’s a 20 minute walk or a short bus ride on the Met Rider bus Service. These halls are within easy reach of all local amenities and transport links, including Cathays railway station. Liberty Severn Point's close proximity to the town centre allows residents to participate fully in the city's diverse culture including the National Museum, Cardiff Castle, and an exciting social scene. The Students Union, catering, shop, IT suites and fitness facilities can be accessed at the Llandaff or the Cyncoed Study Campus. The halls of residence are arranged in 6 bed flats, all single study bedrooms with each room having their own en-suite bathroom facility. The beds are 4ft double wide plus a data point for high speed internet access, with fitted carpets, 12 cardiffmet.ac.uk
wardrobe, chest of drawers, curtains, desk and chair. The students in each flat share a fully fitted kitchen and living area. The kitchens include dining table & chairs, single electric oven with grill and 4-ring hob/extractor fan, fridge freezer, microwave, vacuum cleaner, ironing board, individual lockable cupboards. The living area includes sofa, colour television with freeview and a coffee table.
Other facilities on this campus include: Shared Kitchen/dining/living area Flats for 6 students Laundry Bicycle racks CCTV security Caretaker/managed security throughout the night
Bus and train station only a few minutes walk away
City shops and student bars libertyliving.co.uk/city cardiff The contract for these halls will be between the student and Liberty Living plc. Please note there is no parking at Liberty Severn Point Halls for resident students.
Victoria Hall Halls of Residence
The Student Union, catering, shop, IT suites and fitness facilities can all be accessed at the Llandaff study campus.
Blackweir Terrace, Cardiff CF10 3EY
Victoria Halls offer single study bedrooms with some ‘semi-deluxe’ rooms (larger single rooms) and a few deluxe (double) ensuite rooms. All flats have fitted carpets throughout, wardrobe, chest of drawers, desk and chair, curtains, mirror, Internet, communal TV and common room. Ensuite bathroom facilities include shower, wash basin, toilet and mirror. The kitchen is fully fitted and includes ironing board + Sky TV.
These halls are owned and managed by Victoria Halls plc and are offered on a 42 week contract. Cardiff Met has a nomination-agreement with this private hall of residence for several blocks of rooms. Victoria Hall is ideally placed near the city centre for students studying at the Llandaff study campus. It’s a 20 minute walk to the campus or a 10 minute ride on the Met Rider Bus Service.
Other facilities on this campus include: Shared kitchen/dining/living areas
Flats for 4 to 6 students Laundry Bicycle racks Caretaker service Bus and train stations only few minutes walk away
City shops and pubs
The contract for these halls will be between the student and Victoria Hall plc. Please note there is no parking at Victoria Hall for resident students. victoriahall.com/cardiff.html
Note To apply for any of the above halls please complete the online Cardiff Met accommodation application form as soon as possible. Any offers for halls rooms will be made via email. Please check your email account regularly. cardiffmet.ac.uk 13
Post Graduate Students Cardiff Met can offer a very limited number of rooms/flats suitable for post graduate students at the Cyncoed Campus. These consist of shared flats, self contained flats and some self catered ensuite rooms. If you are a post graduate student, please apply in the same way as other students by completing the online application form and tick the appropriate boxes in the ‘Halls preference’ section. For more detailed information please contact the Accommodation Office on 029 20416188 / 6189
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Provision for Students with disabilities A number of bedrooms on all Halls sites are available for use by those students with physical disabilities. Any prospective student who has a disability is encouraged to make early contact with the Accommodation Service to discuss individual needs. Please complete the online Application form and provide any information that will help us prior to your arrival. It is also advisable to contact the Cardiff Met Disability Team based at the Llandaff campus who provide a confidential support service for individual students.
Allocation Policy & Procedure The allocation of places in Halls accommodation is co-ordinated by the Accommodation Service only. Although priority is given to first year students, it is unfortunate that we cannot meet the demand and place every first year student in halls who applies. Therefore, we rely on the private sector to house many first year students and have secured a number of rooms in private halls. The allocation of halls is made to first year undergraduate students based on the distance they live from Cardiff and the date their online application is received.
Halls Allocation Procedure Complete the online application form straight away even if you are waiting for exam results or if Cardiff Met is your insurance choice. The date of your online application is used when we allocate you a hall (first come first served).
Local Students Local students are classed as those living in the following Local Authority areas: • • • • • • • •
Cardiff Newport Torfaen Rhondda Cynon Taff Caerphilly Merthyr Tydfil Vale of Glamorgan Bridgend
Although we give priority to first year students, unfortunately, as demand is always high, we can not guarantee all first year students a place in halls. From experience we know that every year a certain percentage of students who are offered halls early, cancel their halls accommodation in the first few days/weeks of term starting. Therefore, all local students are placed on a ‘waiting list’ and may be given places within the first few weeks of University starting. We advise local students not to panic and they should hold back on securing alternative accommodation as we will most likely secure local students into halls within the first few days/weeks of University starting. cardiffmet.ac.uk 15
How you will receive your Halls offer All offers are made via email. Those students offered rooms at Cyncoed campus, Plas Gwyn campus or Victoria Halls will recieve an email from Cardiff Metropolitan University detailing the offer and full instructions on how to accept the room offered. Students who are offered a halls place at Liberty Living Halls, including Liberty House, Liberty Court or Liberty Severn Point, will receive their Agreements and Information via email directly from Liberty Living plc. Please ensure that you provide a valid email address on your online Halls Application Form. This can also be your parents or guardian’s email address, and remember to check your emails regularly. Halls offers commence in July and offers are made in three phases during July, August and September:
Phase one: July - Those non-local students who completed their online halls application form early and are Unconditional on the UCAS System before the end of May.
Phase two: Mid August - Those non-local students who completed their online halls application before the end of May, were Conditional and now have their results confirmed and appear as Unconditional on the UCAS system.
Phase three: End of August onwards - All late and other Unconditional Halls Applicants will be allocated, i.e. if you completed your online halls application form after June or applied through clearing. Local students - depending on demand, will be placed on a waiting list and allocated halls nearer or after term starts (see Local Students Section). 16 cardiffmet.ac.uk
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April Once you have been offered a Course at Cardiff Metropolitan University, you will need to complete an online application form from April onwards on the Accommodation website, even if you are waiting for exam results ie. conditional applicant
Student NotiďŹ es UCAS / Cardiff Met making Cardiff Met Firm or Insurance Choice.
Phase one July Non Local Unconditional applicants who completed their online Halls Form before the end of May
Phase two Mid August Non Local Conditional Applicants who change to Unconditional after exam results and who completed their online Halls Form before the end of May.
All offers will be made via email. Full instructions on how to accept an offer will be included in the email offer
Student Accepts Halls offer within 7 days of receiving the offer.
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The received date is very important, as halls offers are made in ‘date order’ and on ‘distance from Cardiff’
Student Decides not to accept offer of a course at Cardiff Met.
No further contact with Cardiff Met.
Phase three September onwards Late, Clearing & Local Students Allocations commence from the beginning of September, however depending on demand, local students may be held on a waiting list until term starts. Please do not be anxious, as you will be allocated a room as soon as we have a cancellation.
Student Accepts Halls offer immediately.
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Paying Accommodation Fees For Cardi Met halls accommodation the licence fee covers a 40 week period, including fuel costs and all internet services. For students in catered halls, meals are included for 32 weeks (excluding Easter & Christmas) including fuel costs and all internet services. At Liberty Living plc and Victoria Halls plc (privately owned) the tenancy fees cover a 42 week period, for an en-suite room including fuel and internet. Students can stay in all halls during the Christmas and Easter vacations. Licence/Tenancy fees are payable for the whole Licence/tenancy period. If you live in Cardiff Met owned halls and you leave your course at the University, then you will be held to your contract until the end of the term. At Liberty Living and Victoria Halls, you will be held to your contract even if you leave your course at the University. The annual charge for Cardiff Met owned accommodation is payable in three instalments either by direct debit or debit/credit card. Details must be provided prior to the commencement of the academic year. Students must also pay a deposit to cover any loss or damage that may occur during their stay. This is refundable less any charges made or debts outstanding at the end of the licence period. A breakdown of the halls fees will be sent to you with your email offer of halls. For overseas non EU students, rooms will not be guaranteed if you have not booked and paid the deposit/booking fee by the deadline stated by the International Office. Deposits paid to Victoria Halls plc and Liberty Living plc are held in one of the Governments’ National Tenancy Deposit Schemes. Fees at Victoria Halls plc are paid in one, two or three instalments whilst Liberty Living plc fees are paid in three instalments. A deposit to cover loss or damage is also payable. 20 cardimet.ac.uk
Information for EU & International Students Cardiff is a popular place to study with the number of students from Europe and other International countries increasing each year.
International Students All accommodation bookings are made directly with the International Office. They provide a service for all International students wishing to study at Cardiff Met. For further details please visit web pages at: cardiffmet.ac.uk/international Contact: The International Office, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Western Avenue, Cardiff CF5 2SG,Wales, UK Tel: +44 (0) 29 2041 6045 Fax: +44 (0) 2041 6928 email: international@cardiffmet.ac.uk
European Students EU students will be considered for halls accomodation in the same way as UK students. To apply for halls accommodation complete the online Halls Application form as soon as possible. Should you wish to live off campus we can assist you in finding suitable privately rented accommodation. Should you choose to rent private accommodation, it is advisable to initially book a room in a local guest house and spend time familiarising yourself with the city before you arrange more permanent accommodation. We suggest that you arrive in Cardiff some days prior to the start of your course to allow enough time to do this. The Accommodation Services Team can provide you with a list of guest houses for temporary accommodation. We are available to provide advice and guidance throughout your search for accommodation. Cardiff Met regrets that it cannot enter into any form of tenancy agreement with a landlord on your behalf. cardiffmet.ac.uk 21
Private Student Accommodation For those students who wish to live off campus, the Accommodation Service can help with finding private accommodation. The Accommodation Services Team maintain a register of landlords with student houses. This list is constantly updated and is available to students online, on the Student Portal once students have enrolled. Whilst we endeavour to list only properties of a reasonable standard, not all properties will have been inspected; the list therefore does not imply recommendation or approval of a landlord or an individual property. Landlords on our register will comply with all legislative regulations and must be accreditted with Landlord Accreditation Wales. We also provide a comprehensive advisory service with useful information on tenancy agreements, insurance and the pitfalls to avoid. Various booklets on the process of renting and students’ rights as tenants are available. We also compile a list of students seeking to share with other students - students contact us and place themselves on a ‘looking to share list’. This list is distributed to other students who want another student to join them in a house. All agreements and responsibilities when renting are between the landlord and the student (not Cardiff Met). It is therefore important that before signing any agreement you are certain of its implications, so please contact us should you need any advice. It is important to note that rents in Cardiff do vary by area and by type of accommodation. The average weekly rental charge for self catering accommodation is between £60 and £70 per person per week excluding services such as electricity, gas & water. This is usually for a furnished house or flat sharing with other students. Board and lodging accommodation is more expensive and charges range from £70 to £80 per week. This would usually involve living in a family home where breakfast and evening meals may be provided. Should you require any advice, or wish to receive our helpful information pack on renting privately, please feel free to contact us. Please note: Once you have signed a contract for private accommodation you will be committed to that contract for the whole term of the contract. 22 cardiffmet.ac.uk
Met Rider Bus Service & Cardiff Bus working together for students The Met Rider Bus provides a convenient, cheap and friendly service which has been specifically tailored to the needs of our students. Students can either pay for individual journeys or purchase a discounted Academic yearly bus pass. The pass gives excellent value for money and provides a cheap alternative to other public transport options. Over 2000 passes are sold during the academic year, making the Met Rider the largest student bus service in Wales.
Bus pass application forms will be sent to students from July with their halls offer email. The pass will enable you to have unlimited travel on the Met Rider and all Cardiff bus routes. Please note: Bus Passes are non-refundable. If you purchase a Bus pass before starting University, or leave University before the end of the academic year no refund will be given. For further details on the University bus service, please contact Neil Woollacott on 029 20416712 or email: nwoollacott@cardiffmet.ac.uk
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Smoking Policy There is a complete ban on smoking in any Cardiff Met Halls of Residence. Government Legislation implemented a ban on smoking in public places which came into force in Wales on the 1st of April 2007. Should students be caught smoking in their rooms or flats or on the premises, they will be subject to disciplinary action for breach of their conditions of Licence.
Car Parking policy There is no car parking on any residential campuses for resident students. Holders of Blue Badges issued by the Local Authority (People with disabilities) are exempt from the above rule. You can find out more details from the Cardiff Met web page: cardiffmet.ac.uk/studentparking
Course offer Once you have been offered a course at Cardiff Met, you will need to apply online on the Accommodation web site.
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The Accommodation Team
Contact us at:
Sarah Spencer: Accommodation Services Manager Managing the team - Residences & Accommodation Services.
Cardiff Met Accommodation Service Warwick House Cyncoed Campus Cyncoed Road Cardiff CF23 6XD
Neil Woollacott: Deputy Accommodation Services Manager - co-ordinates the Met Rider Bus Service (see page 23 for details of the Met Rider) and is acting Manager in the absence of Sarah Spencer. Harpal McCarthy: Accommodation Officer - co-ordinates the halls & private allocations for new & existing students, advising on all aspects of housing.
Tel: +44 (029) 2041 6188/9 Fax: +44 (029) 2041 6968 email: accomm@cardiffmet.ac.uk
Marian Thomas, Nick Drew & Summer staff: Accommodation Services Assistants deal with all administrative functions in the accomodation office
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Cardiff Met Accommodation Service Warwick House Cyncoed Campus Cyncoed Road Cardiff CF23 6XD Tel: +44 (029) 2041 6188/9 Fax: +44 (029) 2041 6968 email: accomm@cardiffmet.ac.uk www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/accomm