Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff Metropolitan University (Prifysgol Metropolitan Caerdydd in Welsh) was known as the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) until 2011, although it has maintained its close links with the University of Wales.

It is consists of five academic schools: the school of education; health science; management; sport and art and design, although the school of art and design is the oldest (it opened in 1865) and most prestigious.

The four campuses are within a three-mile radius of central Cardiff, and facilities include the famous National Indoor Athletics Centre, the National Lawn Tennis Association Centre and a sports centre that allows for the disabled and able-bodied to train together.

Since 2007, £50 million has been spent on developing CMU’s estate, including the addition of a food industry centre, a £20 million Cardiff School of Management and the Cyncoed campus, which houses the students' union, bar and cafe for student, staff and visitor use. The redesigned school of art and design, by the renowned architecture firm Austin-Smith: Lord was awarded a regional RIBA award in 2015.

It holds sport in high regard and typically falls within the BUCS top 20 institutions (the governing body for British Universities and Colleges Sport). CMU has produced hundreds of international sports stars in over 30 different sports, including seven national rugby coaches, 15 British Lions and several Olympic gold medallists. Cardiff Metropolitan University's student football team plays in the Welsh Premier League (promoted in 2017). Fashion designer Julien MacDonald and TV presenter John Inverdale are also among its alumni.