has been independently acclaimed for its academic standards, with an old Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education Institutional Report (2008) stating that 'confidence can be placed in the soundness of the institution's current and likely future management of the quality of its programmes and of the academic standards of the associated awards.' In 2021, The university won the Times Higher Education University of the Year award. Student life Accommodation Cardiff Metropolitan University has student accommodation available close to its campuses in Cyncoed and at Plas Gwyn. The university also has agreements with private residences such as Tŷ Pont Haearn in the city centre, which has 179 beds reserved for students and Victoria Hall which is located near to the Llandaff Campus and has 198 beds reserved for students. Sport Sports teams Cardiff Metropolitan University RFC Cardiff Metropolitan University F.C. Cardiff Metropolitan University Archers Cardiff Metropolitan Universityuwic Gaelic Football Club National Indoor Athletics Centre This large indoor sporting facility is a venue for many sporting events such as the Welsh Open Taekwon-Do Championships hosted there each year by the United Kingdom Taekwon-Do Association. The UK Open Taekwon-Do Championships is often held there too. Notable alumni Cardiff Metropolitan University (formerly UWIC) has alumni in the fields of sport, art, education, design, nutrition, business, healthcare and media. Arts Phil Carradice Ken Elias David Emanuel Neil Jackson Julian Kostov Julien Macdonald Media Michael Buerk Jill Dando Simon Fowler John Inverdale Sue Lawley Jane Moore Rick O'Shea Roy Noble Phil Steele Rhodri Williams Sport Rory Burns – international cricketer Gareth Cooper Kieran Crawford Ellie Curson Lynn Davies – Olympic Gold Medallist John Devereux Alex Dombrandt Gareth Edwards Ben Evans Non Evans Gable Garenamotse Helen Glover – Olympic Gold Medallist Greg Holmes, cricketer Alex Jones, cricketer Ryan Jones Ieuan Lloyd Hugh Morris Brett Morse – Olympic Discus thrower Elli Norkett Nicky Piper David Richards Steve Tomlinson Ben Simons – Olympic Bobsleigh Athlete Colin Smart J. J. Williams Businesspeople and entrepreneurs Blandina Khondowe Brian Hancock Alun Michael Politics Chris Elmore, Member of the UK Parliament Gareth Bennett See also Armorial of UK universities Education in Wales List of UK universities List of universities in Wales References External links Cardiff Metropolitan University – Official website Cardiff Metropolitan University Students' Union – Official website Education in Cardiff Universities in Wales Universities UK Educational institutions established in 1996 1996 establishments in Wales Universities established in the 21st century Dental schools