Where do I go if I have lost something?

Lost Property in the Students’ Union

If you suspect you’ve lost property in the Students’ Union you can head to the second floor welcome desk to ask if it has been handed in. You can email [email protected] (General Students’ Union Security Enquiries) or call 02920 781 400.

Lost Property in the University

For lost property enquiries for the University in general (i.e. outside the Students’ Union, on University grounds) you are best directing your enquiry at University Security. Details here: [email protected], +44 (0)29 2087 4444, 70 Park Place, CF10 3AT. If you've lost property in the Centre for Student Life, go to the Student Connect desk on the ground floor. In libraries, speak to staff in the library if it is staffed - if not, you could go back the following day to ask at the library reception if anything has been handed in.

Student ID Card Collection Points

Students should collect their ID cards from the followinglocations, unless your School has informed you of separately arranged events.

Cathays based students

Student Connect, Centre for Student Life

Monday - Friday, 9:00 - 17:00

Heath Park based students

Cochrane Building(Ground Floor), Heath Park

Monday - Friday, 10:00 - 15:00

Replacement ID card

If your Student ID card has beenlost, stolen or damaged you can request a replacement at theCentre for Student Life. Please note, a £10 replacement fee may apply.

You can access a digital version of your Student ID Card via the UniversityStudent Appwhich is free to download.

If you have any further questions with regards to ID cards please note the contact details below.

+44 (0)29 2251 8888

[email protected]

If you are unable to show a valid train ticket when asked to, you may be issued with a Penalty Fare or Unpaid Fares Notice giving you the opportunity to settle matters with a payment. However, there are different schemes in operation around the UK. Not all companies have this scheme and the member of staff or other authorised person questioning you is not obliged to accept or apply a penalty fare.

This means that if it is thought that you have intentionally travelled without a valid ticket you may be reported for train fare evasion. If the Officer or member of staff has reason to believe that you intended to avoid paying the correct fare then they may report you and this will start proceedings that could result in prosecution in the Magistrates’ Court and a fine of up to £1000.

What is train fare evasion?

You can be found guilty of train fare evasion if you are found to have travelled on a train without a ticket or if you refuse to pay for a ticket for a journey that you are taking. You can also be found guilty of train fare evasion if you intentionally pay for a shorter journey than the journey that you are taking. Child tickets can only be used by people aged between 5 and 15 years old.

The train company requires you to have the correct ticket for the journey that they are taking and it is your responsibility to ensure that you buy a ticket and keep it safe.

Once you have been reported for train fare evasion, this starts a process that could result in prosecution and a fine of up to £1000. The investigating companies will give you the opportunity to explain what happened and where there is a clear mistake and it is a first time offence, they will consider settling the matter out of court by payment of a fine and giving a final warning.

Do all train fare evasion cases end up in court?

Prosecution is seen as the last course of action. Prosecution will be unavoidable where is it considered that there is evidence of the following:

• Fraud
• Giving false personal details
• Knowingly claiming a short journey
• Repeat offender (travelling without a ticket on more than one occasion)
• Where fines have not been paid/appealed by the set deadline

What if the ticket machine is broken and there is no-one on the train selling tickets?

The train company accepts that you must have the opportunity to purchase a ticket. It is important that you can show that you have done everything you can to buy a ticket at the earliest opportunity. If you have not been able to buy a ticket when you are questioned by staff then you should be given the opportunity to buy a ticket.

If you find that the ticket machine is not working it is a good idea to take a photo of the machine or some details and/or report the problem to train staff. If no train staff are available at the station then you should report the problem to staff on the train as soon as you can. Keep a record of staff that you speak to as this will be your evidence if you are later questioned about not having a ticket.

What if I lose my ticket or miss my stop?

Train companies recognise that passengers can make genuine mistakes. If you have made a genuine mistake and it is the first time that it has happened, you should have the opportunity to explain this and be given the opportunity to settle the matter by paying the ticket price or a fine. However, if your explanation is not accepted, then you may be reported for travel without a valid ticket and further action will be taken.

How can I avoid being accused of train fare evasion?

In order to be sure that you are travelling on a train legally, you should purchase a ticket at the earliest opportunity and keep it safe. If you have difficulties obtaining a ticket, keep a record of the problems you find and report then to a member of staff soon as you can.

Where can I buy a ticket?

You can buy a train ticket at:

• online (either from the train service provider, or a 3rd party platform)
• The ticket/booking office
• Self-service ticket vending machine
• If there are genuinely no facilities available to buy a ticket in advance online, at the ticket/booking office or the self-service ticket vending machine then you can get on the train and pay on the train at the earliest opportunity.

The benefit of buying tickets online is that you will have evidence that you paid for your journey if you later lose your ticket and are questioned by a Revenue Protection Officer.

The Transport for Wales website provides some information on railcard discounts:https://tfwrail.wales/ways-to-save/railcards

What if I am in a rush and there is a queue to buy a ticket?

Running late for a train or not wanting to queue are not acceptable reasons for not having a valid ticket for travel. Give yourself plenty of time to buy the correct ticket for your journey to avoid a fine or prosecution.

What if I leave my Season ticket at home?

If you forget your Season ticket, you will need to purchase a new day ticket for your journey. You can then apply for a refund of the day ticket at the station that issued your season ticket.

If you don’t realise you have forgotten your Season ticket until you are on the train and asked to show it for inspection, you may be reported (or issued a Penalty Fare Notice where such schemes apply).

What if I continue to travel with an old ticket or out of date Season ticket?

It is your responsibility to check that you have a valid ticket for travel. If you are on a journey and realise that you need to extend your journey on the last train to your destination then you need to find a member of staff on the train to tell them this and pay the additional fare.

If you intentionally travel with an out of date ticket then you do not have a valid ticket and you could be reported for train fare evasion or liable to a penalty fare if applicable.

I have been reported for travelling on a train without a valid ticket. What should I do?

If you have been interviewed by a Revenue Protection Officer for travelling without a valid ticket, you will receive a letter from the relevant company and you will have 21 days to respond in writing. This is your opportunity to explain what happened and provide any evidence in support.

If you do not reply to the letter within 21 days, further action will be taken.

If you do reply to the letter within 21 days, your case will be reviewed. There are 3 possible outcomes:

• ’Ceasing of Proceedings’ – no further action is taken
• ’Administrative Settlement’ – settle matters with a fine and possibly a final warning
• ’Prosecution’ – you will be notified that you need to attend the Magistrates Court for a hearing of your case.

I have had a letter from ‘TIL’. Who do I reply to?

If you have received a letter from Transport Investigations Limited (‘TIL’) in relation to travel on a Transport for Wales train theirdetails should be on the letter, together with information about next steps.

You can write to them at:

Transport Investigations Ltd. 1 Station Approach, March, PE15 8SJ

T: 01354 606 988 E: [email protected]

At Student Advice we can advise you in train fare evasion matters, although we cannot provide legal advice.

7 Top Tips for Train Travel

• Always buy a ticket as soon as the opportunity is available to you
• Get a receipt or proof of online purchase
• If the ticket office is closed or ticket machine broken – report it and record it
• Keep your train ticket in a safe place
• Buy online and/or in advance to save money and have proof of purchase
• Give yourself time to deal with any ticket problems such as queues
• If you are reported for train fare evasion – don’t ignore it! It is important to reply.

You may find that the rules around waste management and disposal vary in Cardiff from your home town. We would strongly encourage you to familiarise yourself with the expectations around rubbish collection, either in University Residences or in your new neighbourhood, to ensure that you do not incur any unexpected fines.

You may find that the rules around waste management and disposal vary in Cardiff from your home town. We would strongly encourage you to familiarise yourself with the expectations around rubbish collection, either in University Residences or in your new neighbourhood, to ensure that you do not incur any unexpected fines.

Waste and recycling in University Residences

Waste and recycling in Private Rented Accommodation

University Residences

All Cardiff University Halls of Residences now have a 6-stream recycling scheme in place in every kitchen. This includes bins for:

• cardboard
• paper
• plastic
• tins and cans (including cartons)
• glass

More information can be found here.

Privately Rented and Student Houses

If you are in private rented accommodation in the Cardiff area, you can check your rubbish collection dateson the Cardiff Council’s website. You can also find your waste collection dates on the Cardiff Council App.

Broadly speaking:

• Put your recycling and waste on the pavement for collection.
• All bins, bags and kerbside caddies must be put out before 6am on the day of collection and no earlier than 4.30pm the day before.
• Collections will take place between 6am and 3.30pm, Tuesday to Friday.
• You must return your emptied bins, bags and caddies to your property by 9am the day after collection.

Typically speaking, in Cardiff, there are 5 types of waste that is regularly collected:

• Blue sacks – Paper and cardboard
• Red sacks – Plastic, cans and cartons
• Brown Caddy – Food waste
• Blue Caddy – Glass
• General Waste

Recycling sacks and food waste caddies can be collected from distribution stations across Cardiff. Of note, your Students’ Union (Park Place) distribute these waste bags.

If you have a wheelie bin, your general waste bags must be placed in the wheelie bin in order to be collected. Any bags left to the side of the wheelie bin will not be collated and could incur a fine.

If you are using general waste bags and do not have a wheelie bin, then you can put out up to 3 bags for collection.

Cardiff Council does have an app that you can download to try and stay on top of your recycling.

Recycling and waste stickers

The Council put stickers on your recycling and waste containers to let you know why they have not collected them. You could receive a sticker for:

• putting incorrect items in your waste containers or bin, or
• if your containers or bin are too heavy for our crews to safely move and empty.

If you see a sticker on your waste containers or bin, you will need to take the incorrect items out before your next collection.

If you have 3 stickers in a 12 week period, you will be issued with a formal notice. Find out what a Section 46 Notice is and why they are issued.

Waste enforcement fines

If you are deemed to have littered, you may be issued with a fixed penalty notice (FPN). If you pay the fine, the offence will be discharged, therefore you will not be prosecuted.

If you do not pay your FPN, you may be required to respond to the allegation in the Magistrates Court. At this point, you will not be able discharge the offence, and if you are found guilty of littering, you will be prosecuted. This can have implications on your criminal record.

At the Magistrates Court, you will be tried to a criminal standard. Therefore, the court will have to believe that you are guilty of the offence beyond all reasonable doubt.

If you do want to challenge your FPN, we would strongly advise you to seek legal advice. This could be from the Law Society, SpeakEasy or Citizens Advice, among others.

Section 46 Notice

A Section 46 Notice is a legal notice issued under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. It sets out how residents must present their household recycling and waste for collection.

You may receive a Section 46 Notice if:

• waste is presented incorrectly (for example, wrong bags or bins),
• waste is left out at the wrong time or in the wrong place, or
• the waste causes a nuisance or negatively affects the local environment.

If you have received a notice, your property has been identified as not complying with waste presentation requirements.

If you do not comply with the notice, you may get a £150 fine (Fixed Penalty Notice).

Recycling Centres

If you need to dispose of household items that are not collected by the Council, you may be able to visit a Recycling Centre. Recycling Centres are free for Cardiff residents to use.

Find out more about the local Recycling Centres here.

We appreciate that study spaces are particularly important to our students; here are a couple of study spaces available to you that might get you out of your bedroom:

We appreciate that everyone has a different approach when it comes to studying, and Cardiff University has a range of spaces that accommodate a variety of learning styles! From silent areas to social study spaces, it’s good to make yourself familiar with the options available to you throughout the year! Here are some of the study spaces and libraries located around the Cathays and Heath Park Campus.

Social Study Spaces

• The Students’ Union has study spaces available across Y Plas and the Food Court on Level 2 of the Students’ Union building, as well as the new seating area located in the Welcome Centre.
  
• The Lounge in the Students’ Union is a study and social space located on Level 3 of the Students’ Union building; this space is a 24/7 space.
  
• The Centre for Student Life is located on Park Place opposite Main Building. It is open during term time, Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00 and Saturday 10:00-16:00. Here you will find lots of open-plan social study spaces right in the heart of the Cathays campus.
  
• Talybont Social Centreis arecently refurbished communal space offering Eduroam wireless, 24-hour access 7 days a week, individual and group study pods, table tennis and a pool table.The Talybont Social Centre is situated on the Talybont North site, opposite the reception building at Southgate House. Access to the Talybont Social Centre is gained through scanning your resident's Photo ID card at the entrance.
  
• Several academic buildings have café spaces which can also be utilised for studying and can be a great option in between lectures and seminars. Buildings with spacious study cafes include Sir Martin Evans, Julian Hodge, and John Percival have a café. It’s important to note that all university cafés and restaurants are now cashless.
  

Libraries

• Cardiff University libraries are littered around the both the Cathays and the Heath Park campus’ and provide a number of silent and quiet study spaces. In most locations, there are a range of study spaces, including those with desk space, electrical sockets, height adjustable desks and open access PCs.
  
• Study spaces are now available in all our libraries without booking in advance.
  
• Library group rooms allows you to find and book group study rooms in libraries across the University. Students can book a group room for between 1 and 8 people (depending on location) up to one month in advance. Bookings are restricted to 2 hours per day per person.
  
• Find a Library can provide further information on the facilities and opening hours of university libraries.

• Aberconway Library - Based in the Aberconway Building and hosts information resources in business, economics, and transport.
  
• Archie Cochrane Library - Based in Penarth, the Archine Cochrane Library contains collections on medicine, surgery, nursing, allied health, psychiatry and psychology. This isnot to be confusedwith the Health Library which is based on Heath Park Campus.
  
• Architecture Library - Based on the 2nd floor of the Bute Building.
  
• Arts and Social Sciences Library (ASSL) - At the end of Colum Drive in Cathays, the ASSL contains collections on humanities, languages, psychology, social sciences, Welsh, and Celtic studies. The ASSL is open 24/7.
  
• Brian Cooke Library - Based in the depths of the University Dental Hospital, the Brian Cooke Library contains the collections for the School of Dentistry. The library is located on the 4^th floor of the Dental Hospital.
  
• Bute Library - Based on the first floor of the Bute Building, this library is host to collections for geography, journalism, media studies, pharmacy, planning and social sciences.
  
• Central Square Library - Based in Central Square behind Cardiff Central station, this library holds resources for the School of Journalism, Media, and Culture. This library is only available to staff and students of the School of Journalism, Media and Culture due to restricted building access. Items from this library can be requested using LibrarySearch to be collected from any university library.
  
• European Documentation Centre – Located in the Guest Building, Colum Drive, the Centreis a major source of information and expertise about the institutions, activities, and policies of the European Union (EU), the countries of Europe, and the wider Europe.
  
• Health Library - Located in the Cochrane Building at the Heath Park Campus, the Health Library contains collections on nursing, midwifery, allied health, medicine, and medical and biological sciences.
  
• Law Library - Located on the 1st floor of the ASSL, the Law library contains sources on law, optometry, and professional legal training.

• Music Library -The Music Library provides learning resources, research environment, and customer-focused services to support excellence within the School of Music.
  
• Postgraduate Study Zone at Cathays Park – Located in the Guest Building on Colum Drive, the Postgraduate Study Zone provides social and study facilities for both taught and research postgraduate students. A valid Postgraduate Cardiff University ID card is required to access the building at all times.
  
• Postgraduate Study Zone at Heath Park – Located on the second floor of Main Hospital Building, the Postgraduate Study Zone provides social and study facilities for both taught and research postgraduate students.
  
• Science Library - Situated on the first floor of the Main Building, the Science library contains collections on biosciences, chemistry, earth and environmental sciences. The library has a variety of silent, quiet and social zones with range of study spaces.
  
• Senghenydd Library - Based on Senghenydd Road, a stone’s throw away from the Students' Union, the Senghenydd Library contains collections for the School of Mathematics and Continuing and Professional Education.
  
• Special Collections and Archives - Situated on the lower ground floor of the ASSL.
  
• Trevithick Library – Located on the first floor of the Trevithick building on Newport Road, this Library provides information resources for engineering, computer science and informatics, and physics and astronomy. The library has a variety of silent, quiet, and social zones.

Cardiff University is home to many religions and cultures. The University and your Students’ Union feels strongly that people from all faiths should have access to dedicated areas on campus in which they can practice their faith.

In the Students’ Union the Multi-Faith Prayer Room opened in 2012 as part of our aim to meet the needs of all our students, from all faiths and from all countries around the world. The Multi-Faith Prayer Room is housed in a renovated meeting room within our Student Lounge, open 09:00 - 18:00 daily

The Cardiff Chaplaincy is open to members of all faiths and none, as a place for friendship, hospitality, reflection, prayer, support and dialogue, offering opportunities for you to engage socially and to explore faith and spirituality.

Cardiff University also offers quiet rooms around campus that are available for the benefit of both staff and students. These rooms should not be used by groups, nor for studying and work purposes. The purposes of these rooms are for contemplation, meditation, and personal prayer. You can view the availability and location of these quiet rooms here.

All students will have access to Sims and the Student Intranet. On Sims you will be able to access your Timetable, details of your personal tutor, your Council Tax Exemption certificate, exam information and your Transcript.

You must check your Sims, and Cardiff University email regularly as the University will send emails and assessment updates and information.

You can also use Sims to apply for Interruption of Study (IoS) , Extenuating Circumstances (although some schools may be trialling a different method so check with your school) and Academic Appeals.

The Intranet contains a lot of information including Learning Central and information and contact details for the support services.

AccessAble: University accessibility guide can be found here.

You must ensure that you are fully and correctly enrolled through you studies. You will need to enrol every year.

New students can find guidance here.

Continuing Students should receive guidance at the start of the academic year.

The majority of full time undergraduate and postgraduate students are exempt from paying Council Tax. This includes students undertaking a placement year, on an Interruption of Study or undertaking a full-time course temporarily on a part-time basis.

You only need to pay council tax if you:

• are a part-time student
• are a full-time student repeating your final year and not in attendance (external student)
• are on a pre-sessional course that is less than 24 weeks in duration

Erasmus+ students at Cardiff University for 24 weeks or less will need to manually request their council tax exemption certificate. Please see the information under 'Special circumstances'.

Council Tax Exemption Certificate

• A council tax exemption certificate will exempt you from paying council tax as a full time student. You will need to give this certificate to your landlord or the local Council that is requesting evidence of your eligibility for exemption.
• This certificate relates to you as an individual and not the address shown on it, if you change your address you should not need a new certificate.
• Council tax exemption certificates for new students will be automatically issued within 24 hours of your enrolment. A PDF copy will be emailed to you and you can also print a copy of your council tax exemption certificate at any time via SIMS online.

Student Advice is always here to help. We are on the 3rd floor the Students’ Union building.

You can also email us at [email protected], or call 02920 781 410

Before you arrive

After you arrive