Student Accommodation in Cardiff

Student Accommodation in Cardiff 2025/26:

 

Finding the ideal Cardiff accommodation can be challenging but with the right support and assistance, students can get the best deals. UniAcco stands out with its premium selections for student housing in Cardiff, ensuring easy access, supreme comfort, and convenience. Close to some of Cardiff’s premier institutions like the University of South Wales, Cardiff University, and Cardiff Metropolitan University, these student residences are perfectly positioned. The city caters to various lifestyles and budgets, offering both luxury and cost-effective options for off-campus living.

The student accommodation variety includes en-suite rooms, shared rooms, private rooms, apartments, and studios, all aimed at fostering a safe community for international students. To secure the best options, students are advised to begin their accommodation search early, especially considering the high demand during the primary intakes as international students arrive. With UniAcco, students stay at premium properties in affordable rent that usually comes with all utility bills included, this means you can enjoy the rich amenities and facilities without worrying about the additional costs.

 

Particulars	Student Accommodation	Private Accommodation	University Accommodation
Cost	170 GBP/Per Week	250 GBP/Per Week + Utility bills (∼ 72 GBP per week)	143 GBP/Per week
Safety	These are gated communities with utmost safety & all facilities inclued like cctv , biometric entrance etc	Depends on the landlord and area	These are on the university campus with all the safety precautions
Utility Bills	Included	Not Included	Included
Home Insurance	Included in rent	150 GBP per year	Included in rent
Proximity University	Walking distance to campus	Depends on area	Inside/nearby Universities
Other Amenities	Mostly all amenities are included like wifi, microwave, electric Stove, fridge etc.	Based on landlord/location	Mostly all amenities are included like wifi, microwave, electric Stove, fridge etc.

 

Note - Student housing is budget-friendly as it covers utilities, which is priced at £288 to £300 per month. That is around 10-15% of total living costs.

Best Student Properties in Cardiff:

 

Choosing the student accommodation in Cardiff is vital for enhancing your university life.  It's about fostering memories, guaranteeing academic achievement, and giving students a safe space. UniAcco helps students find the best properties and rooms and spoils you with choices. Here's a closer look at some of the most reasonably priced and well-regarded student housing options in Cardiff:

Best Properties by Price:

 

• Arofan House - £128/week
• Ty Pont Haearn - £137/week
• Cambrian Point - £139/week
• Adam Street Gardens - £140/week
• West Wing - £149/week

 

Top-Rated Properties by Students

 

• The Fitzalan - 5 Rated
• City Heights - 5 Rated
• The Neighbourhood - Cardiff - 4.6 Rated
• Zenith - 4.6 Rated

 

About Cardiff:

 

Cardiff is a thriving student city, home to five institutions and over 40,000 students each year. It is renowned for being the capital and largest city of Wales. If you intend to study in the city, you should know that Cardiff has recently been declared the best cost-effective University city in the UK — based on student income, monthly spending, and life balance. It is also a major tourist destination since it not only has a castle as its centre but also a wide range of shops, restaurants, and nightlife options.

Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and others are located in this attractive and bustling metropolis. With many great places to visit, the universities as well as the private properties, have great links to the public transport system.

Where Are Students Coming From?

 

In the 2021/22 academic year, Cardiff embraced a diverse student community, with a total of 32,340 students, including both local and international scholars. The city's universities played a pivotal role in fostering this academic diversity.

Student Enrollment

• Cardiff University: Leading the academic landscape with a remarkable 22,885 students.
• Cardiff Metropolitan University: As the second-largest university in Cardiff, it boasts a substantial enrollment of 9,455 students.

 

Both Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University offer an extensive array of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, attracting students from around the globe. This diverse student body enriches the academic fabric of the city.

Cost of Living in Cardiff:

 

Cardiff Wales' capital city, has grown into a vibrant, cosmopolitan metropolis that draws people from all over the world, especially when rugby matches are staged there. Hearing the Welsh national anthem before a homecoming rugby match is unrivalled. If you're considering migrating to Cardiff, the expenses listed below can help you make a better-educated choice regarding how to plan your cost of living on cardiff as student.

"The accommodation costs are dynamic in nature and are based on property availability"

Cardiff Transportation:

 

Wales's transportation system, in general, is potentially one of the most efficient in the United Kingdom. Cardiff is strategically connected to every major transit system, readily available and within walking distance of any university. There are several alternatives, ranging from the world-famous Cardiff ferries to dedicated cycling paths, buses, and railways. Students can explore various transportation options and find cost-effective methods to travel to and from their accommodation.

• Train: There is a dedicated metro rail system in Cardiff that connects Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, and surrounding town stations. These are train stations that are well-connected to each other so commuters can avoid hassles when going city-hopping.
• Bus: The bus network at Cardiff operates 24 hours a day, with over 100 buses travelling across the city. Students may board buses from Cardiff Bus Station near the City Centre that connects Cardiff with Swansea to the west, Newport, Newcastle upon Tyne, Manchester, and other places.
• Cycling: Alternatively, you may use your bike to explore the city's neighbourhoods from your student accommodation. 

 

Cardiff Attractions:

 

Cardiff has a lot of intriguing attractions to explore because of its rich history, culture, and tradition, as well as its breathtaking natural beauty. Students like seeing more of the lovely city and its numerous attractions on their days off because Cardiff institutions and student residences are located just a short distance away from rail and bus terminals. The following are some of the must-see tourist sites in Cardiff.

• Cardiff Castle - A fantastic visit for anyone with refined tastes in architecture and aesthetics. The gardens of Cardiff Castle, designed by Victorian architect William Burges, can be seen and they provide valuable insight into the city's extensive history.
• Principality Stadium - The Welsh are die-hard rugby fans, and the Principality Stadium is a fitting tribute to that. It is one of the world's most famous stadiums, having the UK's first completely retractable roof. It functions as a multi-event arena, with games and music concerts held there over the years. A must-see if you want to take in the sights from this world-class stadium.
• Cardiff Bay - Perfect for city dwellers wishing to experience some of Cardiff's best restaurants, cafés, bars, and retail locations along the waterfront. It is vibrant but peaceful, and a day spent in Cardiff Bay is always a day well spent.
• National Museum Cardiff - History fanatics go to the National Museum Cardiff, which includes a large collection of art, paintings, sculptures, jewellery, pottery, and much more, and goes deep into the city's rich history. A tour through the Evolution of Wales is complete with dinosaur exhibits showing the city's natural heritage.

 

Best Universities In Cardiff:

 

Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, United Kingdom. The city is full of both domestic and international students because of the academic opportunities and the unique opportunity to study the Welsh language. Furthermore, the vast majority of graduates choose to stay in Cardiff to take advantage of the city's healthy job market and relatively low cost of living, particularly when it comes to monthly rent. Here’s the list of the best universities in Cardiff.

1. Cardiff University-

Cardiff University, founded in 1883, has large campuses in two Cardiff neighbourhoods: Heath Park and Cathays Park. Over 26,000 students are enrolled at the university, with nearly a third, or 7,500, being international students. The university is well-known for its world-class research facilities and cutting-edge infrastructure and is home to several award-winning research institutes, including the Cardiff Catalysis Institute and the Data Innovation Research Institute. In fact, Cardiff University is the only university in Wales that is a member of the Russell Group, a prestigious group of 24 universities in the United Kingdom that shares a focus on research and a reputation for academic achievement. The university also has a high graduate employment rate, which will be very helpful to international students looking for work in the UK.

• 2023 Acceptance Rate: 19.14%
• 2023 QS World Ranking: 166
• Popular Programmes: Architecture, Communication and Media Studies, and Psychology

 

2. Cardiff Metropolitan University-

Cardiff Metropolitan University, founded in 1976 as the South Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education currently has a student population of just under 10,000.  Times Higher Education recently named Cardiff Met the "UK and Ireland University of 2021," demonstrating the world-class quality of its faculty and research facilities. The university has three campuses in Cardiff: Cyncoed, Howard Garden, and Llandaff, all of which are located within a few miles of the city centre. The university has 1,800 international students from over 140 countries enrolled, and the university also offers numerous study-abroad programmes through partnerships with 17 institutions in 15 countries.

• 2023 Acceptance Rate: 64%
• 2023 QS Ranking: 278
• Popular Programmes: Masters and Undergraduate

 

3. University Of South Wales-

The University of South Wales (USW) was founded in 1841 as the Newport Mechanics' Institute and is primarily based in Newport, a small town that is twenty minutes away from Cardiff. The university also has a campus in Cardiff and one in the nearby town of Pontypridd. USW is well-known for the high quality of its mechanical and film studies programmes. The university has a sizable international student population of nearly 3,000 students. As part of their degree programmes, the university places a special emphasis on providing international students with real-world work-related skills. To accomplish this, the university has built a variety of spaces where international students can practice their future careers, such as courtrooms, fashion spaces, and music studios.

• 2023 Acceptance Rate: 20%
• 2023 QS Ranking: 1001-1200
• Popular programmes: Accounting and business, medical and health sciences, media and mass communication, IT and software, management and business studies, and nursing and animation.

 

With such an exciting mix of world-class sports, restaurants, and entertainment venues, life in Cardiff will undoubtedly excite and engage you during your time as an international student at world-class Cardiff universities. The friendly city community and excellent student support will also be invaluable as you settle into your new surroundings in Cardiff.