Student Accommodation in Cardiff

Student Accommodation in Cardiff

Located on the south coast of Wales, Cardiff is the capital city of Wales and one of the UK’s most popular student destinations. In fact, nearly 1 in 6 people here are students, so it’s a really social and welcoming place. When you’re moving to Cardiff to study, one of the first things that you’d be worried about is where you’re going to live. While it’s more affordable than cities like London, the best options still book up sooner than you’d expect.

Choose UniAcco to make your search for student accommodation in Cardiff easier. Here, all properties you look at are verified, fully furnished, come with all-inclusive bills, and have no hidden charges. Additionally, our team provides 24/7 support to help you every step of the way.

 

Explore Student Room Types in Cardiff 

• Ensuite Room

Students who need someone to talk to but also need to stay quiet pick en-suite rooms because they are a perfect match for their personality. These rooms have their own bedroom and bathroom, but need to share the kitchen and living area with your roomies. These are usually considered the most common type of student flats in Cardiff. 

• Non-Ensuite Room

Looking for student homes in Cardiff that fit your budget because of a budget crunch, but also want a separate bedroom? Then non-ensuite rooms should be your pick. Here you will have to share the bathroom, kitchen, and living room. These are affordable options compared to en-suite rooms. 

• Studio Room

Studio rooms are the best option when students want to live alone. Unlike other options, students don't have to share their living and kitchen spaces. This option can be more expensive than en-suites and non-ensuites. But if budget is not an issue, then this is a perfect pick for students. 

• One-Bed Apartment

Most postgraduate students choose this option because they are living independently and don’t have to share a bedroom, bathroom, living area, or kitchen with anyone else. It's often more spacious than studios and private because it separates your bedroom wall from your living space. 

• Two-Bed Apartments

It's a good option if students have another friend to share this space with. These apartments are often picked by second or third-year students. These student apartments Cardiff come fully furnished with amenities.

• Three-Bed Apartments

Students who want to live with their friends usually go with this option. Three-bed apartments have three separate bedrooms for each individual. A shared living room, kitchen, and one or more bathrooms. Students choose this option because they can easily split the rent and utilities among three people.

 

Top 10 Affordable Student Accommodation in  Cardiff

Cardiff is considered an affordable and livable student city. This makes it easier for students planning to move to the UK, who are always worried about managing expenses on their own. The rent prices here are over 50% -60% cheaper than in the UK capital. Students might find it challenging to find a well-furnished home that is also affordable. This is where UniAcco ensures you don’t have to compromise on anything, even while staying within budget. These properties are student favourites on UniAcco because the rent wasn't just good on paper, but actually fits real students who were on a budget. 

Here are some affordable options for international student accommodation Cardiff:

1. Crown Place - Cardiff
2. The Parade
3. Eclipse, Cardiff
4. Windsor House
5. Bridge Street Exchange
6. Clodien House
7. Zenith, Cardiff
8. West Wing, Cardiff
9. Ty Pont Haearn
10. The Fitzalan

 

Best Student Housing in Cardiff 

Students want to find housing in Cardiff that actually ticks all the boxes, like comfort, convenience, and a good location. It's what really makes a place worth it. You want something well-connected, fully furnished, safe, and close to your university so life feels easy. And UniAcco understands, so here are some of the highly top-rated student apartments Cardiff on UniAcco; these are not some random rating; they come from real students who’ve actually lived there and experienced it firsthand. 

1. Vita Park Place, Cardiff
2. Livin, Cardiff
3. Crown Place - Cardiff 
4. Windsor House
5. Summit House
6. Zenith, Cardiff
7. Bridge Street Exchange
8. Eclipse, Cardiff
9. Lumya Cardiff
10. Howard Gardens, Cardiff

 

Best Areas to Live in Cardiff for Students

• Heath: 

Heath is a quiet area that is to the north of Cardiff’s city centre. This makes it a perfect space for students looking for accommodation with a calm atmosphere.  It’s especially ideal for students studying medicine, nursing, or dentistry at Cardiff University Heath Park Campus. It’s also about a 15–20 minute commute to Cardiff Metropolitan University Llandaff Campus. Here, students have everything nearby, right from green spaces like Heath Park to local shops and food spots along North Road. At Uniacco, properties come fully furnished, with comfortable rooms, study areas, high-speed Wi-Fi, and all essential amenities. 

• Cathays

For students looking for a popular student area to live in, Cathays is it. The vibe here is lively and social. This area is close and within walking distance of Cardiff University. So you can get to your classes easily. Students find everything around you, like cafes, takeaways, pubs, and shops, especially along Salisbury Road, where most students hang out. UniAcco properties in this area have fully furnished rooms with all-inclusive bills. It’s also close to places like Sherman Theatre and Cathays Park, so there’s always something to do nearby. 

• Roath

Students who love jogging and studying outdoors on sunny days will enjoy visiting Roath Park Lake in this area. This area is usually filled with young professionals and families. Students love this area because of its location and rent prices. The most common renters here are students pursuing medical and nursing degrees. It also has frequent local bus routes directly to the city centre and campuses. Cardiff University is about 17 minutes by foot from this area.

• Cardiff City Centre

Students love this area because everything they need here is within walking distance. The University of South Wales is 11 minutes away from this area. This area has a very fast-paced and academic vibe. However, Tuesday and Wednesday nights are known to be huge student nights. There are cheap student events, pub quizzes in the arcades, and a lively nightlife. Students often go to the massive St David’s Shopping Centre here for daily essentials. 

• Pontcanna 

This area is often chosen by postgraduate students because it is quiet and has fewer distractions than other noisy areas. This neighbourhood is where people enjoy a strong sense of community, quiet streets, and local independent businesses. Cardiff University is 29 minutes away on foot from this area. The rents here are higher compared to other student areas because of its location. 

 

Monthly Cost of Living in Cardiff 

Cardiff is known for being affordable in comparison to other cities like London and Edinburgh. Students planning to study in Cardiff need at least £1,300–£1,400 to cover all expenses. Having an estimate of the cost of living in Cardiff can help students plan their stay better. So here’s a quick breakdown:

 

Getting Around Cardiff – Student Travel Guide

Students love travelling around Cardiff. The city is quite walkable. Buses also run frequently around here, usually every 10 minutes, so you’re never waiting too long. Cycling around the city is another way students prefer going to short distances. Overall, getting around doesn’t feel stressful at all.

 

Student Life in Cardiff: Lifestyle & Attractions

• Cardiff Castle: 

One of the student favourites is Cardiff Castle. Students usually visit this place when they want a break from routine or when friends or family come over. This place is a huge, historic castle with 2000 years of history. They walk around the open grounds, sit on the grass, or even explore inside the castle rooms. It’s a mix of history and a chill hangout spot, so it never really feels boring.

• Cardiff Bay: 

This is one of the nicest places to just slow down and relax in Cardiff. It’s a waterfront area with cafes, restaurants, and really pretty views, especially in the evening. Students come here to grab food, go on casual walks, take pictures, or just hang out after a long day. It’s got that calm, aesthetic vibe that makes you forget you’re in a busy city.

• Bute Park: 

Don’t we all love admiring nature? And students who are nature lovers would find Bute Park a perfect place to spend their weekends. This is about 0.7 miles from the city centre. Students love to go on walks in this park. They are often seen lying on the grass and having a nice picnic with friends. Because the river runs through this area, it is even calmer and more peaceful here. 

• Cardiff Market: 

When students want to experience the local Cardiff vibe, they often come to the Cardiff Market. This market is a historic Victorian indoor market. There is so much to do at this market. Students come here to buy from independent retailers selling vinyl records. I often come here for green groceries. This market also sells vintage clothing and hardware; basically, it has everything students need.

• Rugby Sports:

A sport that is a local favourite in Cardiff is Rugby. It is also home to the national Wales national team. Students often join clubs to learn this sport. On official match days, the entire city comes together, filling the streets and heading to the stadium. It's fun to be a part of this when you’re living in Cardiff. Something students should at least experience once while they're here. 

 

Top Universities in Cardiff 

Some of Wales's top universities are in Cardiff. Cardiff University is ranked 28th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026. The Cardiff Metropolitan University, the University of South Wales, and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama are also some of the well-known universities here in Cardiff. Whether you’re pursuing business, music or performing arts, engineering, or research, the city offers a wide range of academic opportunities. Take a look at the top 5 universities we have put together for students planning to study in Cardiff this year: 

 

How to Book Student Accommodation in Cardiff 

Finding the right student accommodation in Cardiff is not easy, but booking is even tougher. The procedure is lengthy; it involves signing complex documents, verifying properties and paying a deposit, but with UniAcco, it’s effortless. 

With UniAcco, this process gets simple. Simply explore all the verified listings, compare your options, and get personalised recommendations based on your needs. Whether you’re looking for a student studio, en-suites, shared flats or international student housing, we have options for all. Once you finalise your choice, our team assists you with documentation, booking, and moving in, making your transition to Cardiff smooth and stress-free.