Student Accommodation in Cardiff

How Much Does Student Accommodation in Cardiff Cost?

Cardiff comfortably ranks among the most budget-friendly student cities in the UK. In contrast to cities that have intricate fare zones or high rental prices, the price of student housing in Cardiff is primarily influenced by the type of room and the distance you prefer to be from your campus. As per Amber, weekly rental prices in Cardiff generally fall within these ranges:

The majority of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) in Cardiff features Wi-Fi, gas, water, and electricity included in the weekly rent, making it simpler to determine the monthly cost of student accommodation in Cardiff: anticipate approximately GBP 480 to GBP 720 monthly for en-suite choices and GBP 620 to GBP 1,100 for studios. If you choose the private HMO option, plan to spend an additional GBP 15 to GBP 25 weekly beyond rent for utilities.

For those looking for the cheapest weekly student housing in Cardiff, the best place to go would be the shared rooms within the Cathays or the Heath districts for about GBP 75-GBP 90. In PBSA, the student housing within Cardiff usually comes with all the bills included.

Types of Student Accommodation in Cardiff

Cardiff features a varied housing market serving approximately 40,000 students from its universities. Regardless of your budget or individual taste, there is a kind of student housing in Cardiff that suits:

• En-Suite Rooms -A personal bedroom featuring your own bathroom, sharing a kitchen with a few flatmates. This is the leading PBSA choice in Cardiff. En-suite student accommodation in Cardiff generally covers all utility costs, providing a very tidy and easy way to reside. Locations such as Vita Student Park Place and Collegiate Crown Place are prominent names in this sector.
• Non En-Suite Rooms - A personal bedroom with communal bathrooms and kitchen amenities. The least expensive PBSA room option is perfect if you enjoy shared living or have a limited budget.
• Studio Flats -Completely independent with a personal kitchen and bathroom. The market for student studio flats in Cardiff has significantly expanded in recent PBSA projects, especially in the city center and Cardiff Bay. Studios are ideal for postgraduates or anyone who values total independence.
• Shared Houses (HMOs) -Individual rooms in a communal residence, overseen by a landlord instead of a PBSA provider. HMOs are commonly located in Cathays and Roath and frequently offer the most affordable student housing in Cardiff weekly; however, utilities are generally charged separately and handled among housemates.
• University Halls -These are primarily targeted at first-year students and are overseen directly by Cardiff University or Cardiff Metropolitan University. They provide a pre-established social setting and comprehensive rental prices. Spaces fill up fast, and international students planning for a September intake should submit their applications as early as they can.

Best Areas for Student Accommodation in Cardiff

As a result of the size of Cardiff, all student zones can be easily reached using various forms of public transport such as buses, trains, and bicycles. There is no problem with tube zones like London, but the good news is that there is an effective public transport system in Cardiff. The Cardiff Bus and Rail service will ensure that you get transported to all the zones without problems. Some of the student zones in Cardiff are listed below:

If you are looking for the best areas in Cardiff as a student on a budget, then Cathays and Roath are the top choices. These are student-friendly zones with various facilities. The cost of getting a student bus pass on a monthly basis in Cardiff is around GBP 45 - GBP 70, and a one-way bus ticket is GBP 2 to GBP 2.45.

Student Accommodation Near Top Cardiff Universities

• Near Cardiff University - Cardiff University is an institute belonging to the Russell Group that functions at two locations, which are Cathays Park and Heath Park. Student accommodation near Cardiff University is available in Cathays, Roath, and the city centre area. The Cathays Park location is right next to the city centre, where CF24 is an example of such a place. According to Amber, these housing options are known to rent out for approximately GBP 140 to GBP 261 per week. The preferred PBSAs near Cardiff University include Vita Student Park Place and Collegiate Crown Place, and these places are just a few steps away from the university campus. Travel time from Cathays to Cardiff University usually ranges from 10 to 20 minutes or a few minutes by bus.
• Near Cardiff Metropolitan University - Cardiff Metropolitan University has two primary campuses, the Llandaff and Cyncoed campuses, which are located farther away from the centre of the city compared to Cardiff University. As a result, student housing close to Cardiff Metropolitan University is a little bit more scattered. Most students of Cardiff Metropolitan University choose to live in the Llandaff region or purchase the MetRider student bus pass, which provides them with very cheap fares on the network. The Plas Gwyn hall of residence at Cardiff Metropolitan University provides en-suite self-catering rooms at an inclusive price of between GBP 156 and GBP 175 per week.
• Near University of South Wales (Cardiff Campus) - The University of South Wales in Cardiff is based in the Atrium building, which is located in the heart of the city close to City Road. Hence, the student housing near the Cardiff campus of the University of South Wales is ideally placed, as most of the PBSAs available in the city centre are near each other. The students from USW prefer to live in Cathays, Roath or even in the city centre. The private student accommodation in Cardiff, CF10 is conveniently located.
• Near Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama -Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama is blessed with an excellent location within the Bute Park surroundings, situated only a stone's throw away from the centre of Cardiff. The surrounding accommodations of Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama can be said to be situated not only in the heart of Cardiff but also around the nearby Cathays region; the PBSAs are situated 10 to 15 minutes away from the Bute Park location. The college came out third in drama according to the Guardian University Guide 2025, and hence the limited student intake means that available nearby accommodation fills up quickly.

Student Accommodation in Cardiff for International Students

Cardiff is a welcoming and safe place for students, especially those from abroad, and student housing for international students in Cardiff can be easily found compared to other large cities. There are thousands of international students in Cardiff each year, and all PBSAs have the correct policies to host international students. Some points worth considering before booking are:

• No UK Guarantor Needed - Most of the student accommodation in Cardiff offer PBSAs without needing a UK-based guarantor. Some may need either the payment of two or three months’ rent beforehand or even international guarantors. Both are quite common and nothing to worry about.
• Book Well in Advance -En suite and studio rooms near Cardiff University and Cardiff Met are highly sought after. So if you plan to move into Cardiff in September, then you need to start your search from January or February onwards. Some PBSAs may accept a provisional booking with a deposit only.
• Documents to Have Ready - Ensure that your passport, CAS, UK student visa/BRP, and offer letter are all ready before booking your ticket. There may be some agencies which will require you to show proof of funds for lengthy periods of time.
• Safe Student Accommodation Cardiff - Safe student accommodation Cardiff is easy to locate as most halls of residence provide accommodation in PBSA. They usually provide security guards 24/7, CCTV surveillance and a key-card entry system. You can locate many safe places where you can reside as a student, like Cathays, the city centre, and Cardiff Bay.
• Getting Around the City - Moving around the city is quite easy as there is no fare complication at all. A single journey on the bus costs you about GBP 2 to 2.45. A monthly pass will cost you about GBP 45. In case you like cycling, Cardiff has a good cycling network, and you can cycle safely in the city. You can also use train transportation to travel to other cities like London and Bristol. Cardiff Railcard costs GBP 35 per year and reduces rail fares by one-third.