Football is the most popular sport on the planet. FIFA estimates that there are 3.5 billion fans worldwide. It comes as no surprise that for many students, football plays a real part in deciding where they wish to study. In this series we are going to be looking at some of the top footballing universities in the UK and worldwide, starting with Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Cardiff Met Football
Perhaps most impressively, Cardiff has one of the best university footballing teams – Cardiff Met FC. The team currently plays in the Cymru premier league, the top division in Welsh football. In 2019 they were able to win a penalty shootout to secure a place in the Europa League preliminary round, earning the club £193,000. Despite not being able to go further in the tournament, the achievement of a student side qualifying is truly remarkable.
The university has 5 men’s teams currently competing in BUCS, with an additional team competing in a London league, representing Cardiff. Cardiff’s women’s football features a first and second team and both have had great success. The first team has been able to qualify for the Champions League 4 times. It is clear that in a competitive setting, Cardiff University is one to watch.
The university doesn’t just look to attract the top senior players. Cardiff aims to create future squads by enrolling children and young adults into their Cardiff Met FC Academy. The academy has a range of teams, from U5s to U19s. The academy describes itself as being dedicated to developing players, as well as people, and providing clear pathways of progression.
Study
Aside from the football, the university is a great place for students to learn. This year has seen the institution rise by 33 places in the university league table and be awarded as best Welsh university of 2021 by the times. It is known for excelling in subjects such as art, business, and especially sport, demonstrated by Cardiff’s national indoor athletics center. In fact, 15 of the university alumni competed in the London Olympics.
The university is made up of five schools, offering over 120 degrees. The schools consist of; Art and Design, Education, Management, Technologies, and Sport and Health Sciences. The university puts a strong emphasis on creating employable graduates. This comes through creating courses that have excellent links within the chosen industry, as well as many options for work experience. This has resulted in the university having a 96% employment rate, within the first 15 months of graduation for its students.
The City
For students looking to take a break from study, the city has some amazing attractions. For those interested in sports, Cardiff is an opportunity to see both the national football and rugby teams, as well as watch some of the best drivers in the world compete at the British speedway Grand Prix. For those more interested in the arts, Cardiff provides spaces for events such as ballet, musicals, and opera. Cardiff is a mix of breath-taking history and modern wonder, all on display in many stunning museums, galleries, and theatres.
For students without access to a car, don’t worry, the city has excellent transport links. You will be able to get around easily via bus or train. Alternatively, you can explore the city on foot, checking out all of Cardiff’s parks and gardens. For those that require access to the capital, London is a 2-hour train journey away.
