Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I am an international student, where is the International Study Centre?

The International Study Centre is now located at Deri House. Here you can collect your BRP and your student ID if you are a member of the ISC. Please find the address below:

Deri House

2-4 Park Grove, CF10 3BN

Q. I have not collected my Student ID Card yet, but I have booked tickets for Events at the SU, can I still attend?

If you haven’t collected your physical Student ID Card yet you can get a Virtual ID card on the Cardiff University app. Please ensure you also have your e-ticket, Student ID (virtual or physical), and another form of ID (e.g drivers license or Passport) on entry.

For ticketed events, please ensure you also have your e-ticket.

For licensed events e.g. clubnights You will need another form of ID as proof of age (e.g a UK driver's license or passport.

Freshers' Fair

Q. When are the Freshers’ Fairs?

Information on our fairs can be found here.

Students’ Union Park Place, 10am – 4pm.

Monday 23rd September: Sports & Freebies Fair

Monday 24th September: Sports & Freebies Fair

Wednesday 25th September: Societies, Volunteering & Freebies Fair

Thursday 26th September: Societies, Volunteering & Freebies Fair

Heath Park, 11am - 4pm

Wednesday 25th September 2024

You can book your free Freshers’ Fair tickets here.

Q. What do I need to bring to enter the fair

1. QR code from your ticket. You can purchase a free ticket for the fair here.

2. Your physical student card or digital student card.

Q. Can I bring a friend who is not a student to the Freshers Fair?

Cardiff University Students’ can bring a +1 to the Freshers’ fair. Cardiff University Students’ must have booked a free Freshers’ fair ticket which can be purchased here.

Q. I am a student at another University, can I attend Freshers Events?

To attend our Freshers fair must be a Cardiff University student with a free Freshers’ fair ticket to enter the Freshers’ fair.

However, Non-Cardiff University students can attend the fair as a +1 of a Cardiff University student.

Q. I have booked a fair ticket, can I change my timeslot?

If you will be arriving within 2 hours of your selected timeslot your ticket will still be valid. If you believe it will be over 2 hours please book another timeslot for that day that will be more suitable for you. Please note, you are only able to book 2 slots per day of the fair.

Q. Can I look more than 1 timeslot for the Freshers’ fair?

Each person is able to book a maximum of 2 timeslots per day of the fair.

Q. Can I attend more than 1 day of the Freshers’ fair?

Yes,we encourage you to attend more than one day of the fairs as there will be different stall holders and student groups on different days. Check out the “who is attending” section on the website to find out more information about the stall holders present. Please ensure you book a free ticket for each day of the fair.

Website
Q. Where do I purchase the ‘Official’ Cardiff Uni Freshers events tickets?
Cardiff Students' Union hosts the only official Cardiff University Freshers' Week events, in a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment. Unfortunately, other event promoters in the city use the Cardiff University name when selling tickets and wristbands to their events, such as the Paper Wristband. These events are not endorsed or affiliated with Cardiff University or the Students' Union in any way. While we do everything we to can limit confusion, some students do end up buying wristbands from alternate vendors rather than the official Cardiff University event tickets.
You can purchase the official Cardiff Students’ Union Freshers’ tickets here.
If you have bought the tickets or a wristband from another company and feel you have been misled, you can phone the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 08454 040506 with the details of where you purchased from.
Q. Why do I need to log in?
A. Our Freshers' events are only available to current students which is why we ask you to login with your student account. If you haven't received your student account from the University, or we have not received your details from the University, you will need to create a temporary new student account.
Q. I’m having trouble logging in – what should I do?
If you are having issues – have a look at this guide. If you are still experiencing trouble, please e-mail StudentsUnion@Cardiff.ac.uk
Q. My credit/debit card isn't working on the Students' Union website. What should I do?
The biggest cause of problems with credit or debit cards not working is the wrong address being used to authenticate the transaction. If your card is registered at your non-Cardiff address, try using that address instead. Alternatively, some transfers will flag as being potentially fraudulent. This may happen if it is for a purchase larger than you normally make online. This is not something that is in the Student
Union’s control. If you’re still having problems purchasing online, tickets for our Give it a Go events are available to buy in person from the Finance Office on the 3rd floor of the Students’ Union building. Our club night tickets are only available to purchase via the website.
Q. Can I buy event tickets in person from the SU?
We don’t have a ticket office at the SU. All the Freshers’ event tickets are available for purchase on the Students’ Union website. Give it a Go tickets only can be purchased in person from the finance office on the third floor of the SU, if you do not yet have a UK bank card set-up.
Events
Q. Is there a Freshers’ wristband that I can purchase?
Instead of purchasing a wristband, we sell individual event tickets to allow you the most flexibility so you can build your own Freshers’ experience. Please be mindful of other third parties who will attempt to sell “official” wristbands, these do not gain access to Students’ Union events.
Q. Can I bring a friend to the SU Freshers’ events?
Cardiff University students can bring along a plus one to the SU club nights as long as they have valid ID (and a ticket for the event obvs). For more info about this, check out our terms and conditions.
Q. Where can I find the line-up for everything that is going on?
You’ve come to the right place! We have a brilliant line up planned for Freshers’ 2024, you can find out everything we have going on here.
Q. I have not collected my Student ID Card yet, but I have booked tickets for Events at the SU, can I still attend?

If you haven’t collected your physical Student ID Card yet you can get a Virtual ID card on the Cardiff University app. This is acceptable for entry to The Taf and Student events, but must be supported by an ID card or bank card that matches the name on the Student ID. Please ensure you also have your e-ticket, Student ID (virtual or physical), and another form of ID (e.g drivers license or Passport) on entry.

For events such as student club nights, we can check tickets manually through your student number as a last resort. Please ensure you have your e-ticket and another form of ID (e.g a student card, or a passport) to check your details against.

Q. I am not a student; can I attend events at the SU?

If you are not currently a University student, you are still able to attend SU events as a +1 of a Cardiff University Student. Only Cardiff University students can bring a non-student +1 and would need to purchase a ticket on behalf of the +1. Non-student +1s must be 18+ years old with a valid passport/driving license and arrive at the same time.

Box Office live music events are open to the public. To purchase tickets, simply set up a non-student account here.

Q. I am a student at another university, can I attend events at Cardiff University?
If you are a student of any UK University and have a current, and valid Student ID card then you can attend events at Cardiff Students Union. To purchase tickets from our website, choose the option ‘For Non-Cardiff University Students’ at checkout. When attending events, please bring proof of ticket purchase (confirmation email), a valid Student ID, and proof of age (e.g, a Passport or valid UK driver's licence) with you.
Q. I am an international student; can I use my Citizen Card as ID?

Only passport, UK drivers' license, or a valid student card will be accepted for entry.

We regretfully cannot accept resident cards, citizens cards, or other international forms of identification. This policy is in place to streamline our entry process and maintain the security of our patrons.

Q. I have lost something at an event, what can i do?
We experience a large volume of lost property handed in at our venues. Please do take care to look after your belongings and check them into our cloakroom if required. If you have lost an item please email SUCustomerService@cardiff.ac.uk and we will aim to identify and return your property as soon as possible. If you spot a phone, purse, or belonging in our venues, please hand into security.
Q. What are the Students’ Union Safety Initiatives during events
Supporting students to have fun in a safe manner will always be a fundamental part of how we organise and deliver events. As a not-for-profit venue, we invest heavily in safety initiatives which we have outlined here.
Club Night Tickets
Q Why are there different prices for the same ticket?
We offer early bird prices and release tickets in batches so to get the best price we recommend buying early!
Q. I want to go a club night event, but the tickets are no longer for sale online – what do I do?
Our events are hugely popular with students in Cardiff, with many events often selling out. If this is the case, keep an eye on Y Plas socials for all ticket updates! Follow us at @YPlasCSU.
Please be mindful that when events sell out, there are often counterfeit or fake sellers operating on social media sites. We do not endorse the reselling of tickets in this way and will not be able to allow entry if you have bought a counterfeit or resold ticket in this manner.
Q. Why are the on-the-day tickets more expensive?
We offer early bird prices and release tickets in batches so to get the best price we recommend buying early! If you buy on the day, you will pay a higher price. To get the best value be sure to buy in advance.
Q. Can I buy a ticket on the door?
We would strongly advise that all tickets be purchased in advance to guarantee entry as many events will sell out well in advance. If tickets are available on the door, we will make this clear through our @YPlasCSU social media accounts. Follow us at @YPlasCSU.
Q. Do I need to collect my ticket?
All of our tickets are e-tickets so you are not required to collect a physical ticket. Once you’ve bought your ticket online you will receive a confirmation e-mail initially confirming your purchase(s).
A second e-mail will then follow with individual e-tickets for each club night event. (e.g. if you have bought 4 x YOLO tickets – you will have 4 separate e-tickets).
Q. I want to bring a friend – they are a student at a different uni, can they come?
Any student that has a student card from another University or an NUS/Totum card will be admitted with a Cardiff University student. Please bring proof as you may be requested to present it. They will also need to bring a valid form of ID.
Q. I want to bring a friend – they aren’t a student – can they come?
Cardiff University students can bring along a plus one to the SU club nights even if the guest is not a student. The guest needs to have a valid ID (and a ticket for the event obvs). For more info about this, check out our terms and conditions.
Q. I’ve bought my tickets and I have the confirmation e-mail but the second e-mail with my e-tickets hasn’t arrived – what should I do.
Firstly, please log in to your account on the website and select ‘purchase history’ – find the appropriate purchase and click re-send. If the confirmation e-mail and subsequent ticket PDF does not come through, please check all folders (including clutter and junk). If you still haven’t received your tickets, get in touch with StudentsUnion@Cardiff.ac.uk and we can look into this for you.
Q. Why do I have multiple e-tickets?
You will have a different e-ticket for each club night you have purchased. Please have the relevant e-ticket to hand for speed of entry on the nights. If you have bought four tickets for one night, you will have four separate e-tickets.
Q. I’ve bought my ticket but can’t make the event. Can I please have a refund?
Sorry – we don’t offer refunds on ticket purchases. You can find out more in our terms and conditions.
Q. The event looks completely sold out – will there be any more releases?
Unfortunately, if events are sold out there is unlikely to be further releases. However, please follow us at @YPlasCSU on social media, as any further releases will be confirmed there.
Q. I’ve bought my ticket – what time does it guarantee entry until?
Please check the event information for specific guidance for each event. Most events will guarantee entry until 23:00 each night, if you miss this cut off, tickets are non-transferable and no refund can be offered.
Q. What ID do we accept as proof of age?
All members and guests must provide photo ID as proof of age if asked by a member of security or a member of Students’ Union staff. The Students’ Union only accepts a valid passport or a valid driving license. You will need to show the original copy of the ID (passport or license), we do not accept photocopies or screen shots.
Q. Where are the full terms and conditions?
You can find our full terms and conditions at cardiffstudents.com/terms.
Q. Where are the photos from the club nights?
You can find photos the next day by going to our Y Plas Facebook Page. Make sure you follow us at @YPlasCSU to keep up with the latest club night events.
Non-alcoholic Events
Q. I don't drink alcohol and club nights aren't my thing - what are my other options?
Throughout the freshers' period, we run a wide range of events and activities so there's plenty of opportunities to find something that suits you. Most of the trips and tours organised through Give it a Go are in settings that do not involve alcohol, plus there are plenty of events and experiences outside of the night club offering activities to help you meet people when you arrive. There's no pressure to drink alcohol at any of our events and all of our bars and event spaces offer non-alcoholic soft drinks.
Q. I’ve heard of Give it a Go – what is that?
Give it a Go (GIAG) is a Students' Union initiative showcasing opportunities and taster sessions available to all Cardiff University students. The GIAG team also run day and overnight trips across the UK, to places like Stonehenge and Edinburgh. All events can be viewed here.
Q. Do I need to be a member of Give it a Go to join in?
No! The magic of Give it a Go is that you can try something to see if you like it without being a member.
Q. I’ve bought my ticket for a Give it a Go event, but I can’t make it. Can I have a refund?
Unfortunately, under our terms and conditions, all Give it a Go events are strictly non-refundable. In the unlikely case we cancel the event, you would of course be offered a refund.
For some events, ticket transfers may be possible. There may be a small fee for this. Please email giveitago@cardiff.ac.uk to find out more.
Q. I’ve bought my ticket for a Give it a Go event, but I can’t make it. Can I give my ticket to a friend?
For all events run by student groups (societies, sports clubs, volunteering and student media), please contact the group directly.
For all Student Union Give it a Go events during Freshers’ 2023 and day trips throughout the year, you can transfer your ticket to a friend and do not need to contact Give it a Go to do this. Please note that this will not apply to overnight trips, which have separate ticket transfer rules. These can be found on the individual event pages.
Q. Can I buy a ticket on the day from one of the GIAG team volunteers?
Yes. Providing there is space left on the trip, you can purchase a ticket from one of our lovely team members. However, to ensure your place on the trip or event, we’d strongly encourage you to buy online before the event.
Q. I'm trying to buy a ticket, but the website is saying 'product limit reached'. What does this mean?
This means that the trip or event has sold out.
If it is a trip run by the Student Union, you can sign up for the waiting list here: https://cardiffstudents.typeform.com/to/PEA1tiey
If it is a student run event, contact the group directly to let them know you would like to attend. They will each have their own waiting list processes.
Q. Can I buy Give it a Go tickets in person?
Yes, you can buy tickets from the SU on the Cathays campus.
Tickets are sold from the Finance Office, which is located on the 3rd floor of the Student Union (SU), which has entrances at Park Place and Senghennydd Road. From the stairs, turn left on the 3rd floor (or right and right again from the lift), going past the round glass office, veering left past the toilets and into the office area. The finance office is clearly marked with an orange sign at the end of the corridor. Finance is open 10:00 – 16:00 Monday-Friday.
The Give it a Go desk is located in the same corridor with a green sign, so do feel free to speak to us if you have any questions.
Activities
Q. How do I join a club/society?
A. We are running fairs between the 23rd – 26th September to give you the opportunity to join sports clubs, societies, and volunteering projects, as well as getting your hands on some great freebies! To find out more, visit our fairs section of the freshers’ website.
You can see a full list of clubs and societies on the welcome and can purchase membership from there.
Q. How can I get involved in volunteering or training opportunities?
A. You can find out about volunteering and training opportunities on the website.
Q. Will there be set quiet times for freshers’ fairs for people who might get overwhelmed?
There are no official set quiet times for our freshers’ fairs. Our fairs are open from 10.00 – 16.00. Last entry to the fairs is at 15.30. We would recommend attending either first thing at 10.00am or last entry at 15.30.
Q. What are the accessibility options at the Freshers’ Fairs?
If you have any specific accessibility requirements, please make yourself known to a member of security or staff on arrival and we can assist accordingly.
The Students’ Union front entrance is on Park Place, there is a ground level lift positioned opposite the main stairs adjacent to the Centre for Student Life which provides access to the main reception on level 2. A lift is available inside the building for access to all other levels. The rear entrance is on Senghennydd Road. There is an accessible door by the Co-Op entrance with a lift available off the central stairwell of the building giving access to all other levels.
Jobs
Q. How can I get a job?
A. You can register your interest for flexible and part time work with our Jobshop employment service. Visit the Jobshop webpage and register online.
Jobshop offers paid work opportunities on and around campus and across the city. Roles include; admin, research, promotional, bar, catering, warehousing/ manual handling, invigilation and retail jobs. These can vary in length from just a few hours work to more regular ongoing work. For many of the vacancies you don’t need any previous experience, just lots of enthusiasm and a willingness to learn!
You can contact the Jobshop team on jobshop@cardiff.ac.uk.
Cardiff University
For queries about enrolment, ID cards, residences, and your course, please visit the Cardiff University website.
If you’re an international student, you can find out more here. If you have any queries, get in touch with International Student Support who will be able to assist: StudentConnect@Cardiff.ac.uk
Handy Links
Help and Advice
Before you arrive at Cardiff
I’m worried about making friends and feeling lonely when I start, what should I do?
There are lots of events at the start of the academic year to help students meet each other. The Freshers Fairs will be taking place from Monday 23rd September, where you can find clubs and societies that you might be interested in joining. .
Cardiff Students’ Union will also be running a range of activities throughout the freshers’ period where you can meet students. You can find out what activities will be taking place here.
I’ve not been to Cardiff before and am worried about getting around the city and staying safe, what is there to help me?
Give it a Go will be giving free city tours throughout the Freshers’ period to help you find your way around this amazing city! You can find out about the city tours and other Give it a Go trips here.
Cardiff Students’ Union has a safe taxi scheme with Veezu Taxis, so you should always be able to get home safely on nights out! You can find out all about this scheme on our webpage.
If you are worried about getting lost on your way to your first lecture, you might want to walk the route beforehand, so you know where to go!
I’m worried about the cost of living and being able to afford things as a student?
We know that the cost of living crisis is impacting everyone at the moment. The University’s Student Advice and Money Team are available to support you if you have any concerns about this. You can contact the team through Student Connect.
If you are looking for a job to earn some extra money, you can use our Jobshop to find temporary and flexible work to fit around your studies!
How do I meet people in my halls before coming?
Once students have been assigned student halls, you can join the relevant Facebook group to help you connect with the people you will be living with. See the full list of Facebook groups here.
I’ve had a lot of support in college / sixth-form, what’s it like at University?
There are lots of different ways that you can find support at university. All taught students are assigned a personal tutor at the start of their programme who can support you throughout your time at university. There is also a range of support services that can be accessed through Student Connect, such as the Advice and Money Team or Student Futures.
Student Advice are an independent, impartial and free advice service based in Cardiff Students’ Union. You can contact the team via email at Advice@cardiff.ac.uk, or via telephone at 029 2078 1410.
When you arrive at Cardiff
I’m feeling lonely, how can I meet new people?
There are lots of events at the start of the academic year to help students meet each other. The Freshers Fair will be taking place from Monday 23rd September, where you can find clubs and societies that you might be interested in joining whilst you are at university! You can book your tickets here.
Cardiff Students’ Union are also running a range of activities throughout the freshers’ period where you can meet students. You can find out what activities will be taking place here.
Who can I speak to if I’m feeling overwhelmed?
The University’s Counselling and Wellbeing Service is there to support Cardiff University students who are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing. You can contact the Counselling and Wellbeing team through Student Connect. They offer a range of services, from 1-2-1 appointments to self-help resources, to help you manage your wellbeing.
You can also contact Student Advice, who are an independent advice service based within the Students’ Union. You can contact the advice team via email at Advice@cardiff.ac.uk, or via telephone at 029 2078 1410.
I don’t get on with my housemates, what should I do?
If you are living in University Halls and are having issues with your housemates, you can speak with the Residence Life Team who should be able to help! You can contact the team via email at residencelife@cardiff.ac.uk.
You can also contact Student Advice, who are an independent advice service based within the Students’ Union. You can contact the advice team via email at Advice@cardiff.ac.uk, or via telephone at 029 2078 1410.
My housemates are noisy and partying all the time, is there anything I can do?
If you are living in University Halls and are having issues with your housemates, you can speak with the Residence Life Team who might be able to help! You can contact the team via email at residencelife@cardiff.ac.uk.
You can also contact Student Advice, who are an independent advice service based within the Students’ Union. You can contact the advice team via email at Advice@cardiff.ac.uk, or via telephone at 029 2078 1410.
I need help with my academic skills, or think I may have dyslexia or ADHD, who do I speak to?
If you think you may have dyslexia or ADHD, you should get in contact with the Student Disability Service to see what support might be available to you! You can contact the team via Student Connect.
Drinking alcohol isn’t really my thing, are there any events for me?
There are over 200 societies at Cardiff University that run events throughout the year! The Freshers’ Fairs will be taking place from Monday 23rd September, where you can find clubs and societies that you might be interested in joining. .
Cardiff Students’ Union will also be running a range of activities throughout the freshers’ period, a lot of which don’t involve alcohol! You can find out what activities will be taking place here.