With about 20 different student properties listed, Student.com is the best place to find your student accommodation in Cardiff.

Whether you’re looking to share a student flat with friends or live in your own studio apartment in this exciting and modern city, you can find it here. Give us a call or drop us a message in the live chat if you have any questions. Our booking consultants are always happy to help!

Get to know Cardiff

Located on the coast of South Wales, Cardiff was proclaimed the capital city of Wales in 1955. A big city attitude mixed with the benefits of a small city makes the capital of Wales one of the best places for students to spend their university years.

Wales’ largest city has garnered a reputation for being friendly. It’s the second friendliest city in the UK according to giffgaff and one of the top 5 most welcoming according to Unbroken Britain.

Apparently, visitors are feeling the love as over 18 million tourists make their way to Cardiff every year making it the 10th most visited city by international tourists in the UK. Also, in 2011, National Geographic ranked it the 6th best alternative tourist destination in the world. Your Magazine also voted the ‘City of Arcades’ one of the top places to visit because of its attractions and their proximity.

A thriving city centre with wonderful attractions such as the National Museum of Wales surrounded by acres of parkland, the biggest concentration of Victorian, Edwardian and modern-day indoor shopping arcades in Britain, world-class sports stadiums, and a lively Cafe Quarter which stretches down to a stunning waterfront area with bars and restaurants at Cardiff Bay, are just some of the reasons why Cardiff is so attractive to visitors.

Location and transport

Benefiting from excellent road, rail and air communications, Cardiff also topped the list of the UK’s most transport-friendly cities. If you want to explore further, London is a mere two hours away with the high-speed train service.

Student life in Cardiff

Several reasons make students fall in love with Cardiff. It packs all the benefits of a major cosmopolitan destination into a friendly, affordable and easy to navigate city making it a great place to live as a student.

Cardiff is an affordable city

Cardiff is considered one of the more affordable cities in the UK. Its affordability makes it a lot easier for students to enjoy leisure activities such as eating out, social events and exploring attractions. A limited budget won’t necessarily limit your fun as there are many free attractions you can visit and enjoy in Cardiff, ranging from museums and galleries to fantastic architecture, historical monuments, parks, and walking trails.

Cardiff has a great social scene

Cardiff boasts a great year-round calendar of events from theatre, comedy, and concerts to music, food festivals and major sporting events.

The city proudly holds Purple Flag status, meaning its pubs, clubs, bars, and music venues are diverse, safe and welcoming for all.

Whether you want to dance the night away to the latest pop hits, catch an unsigned band at an intimate gig, enjoy cocktails in a trendy cafe with live music, or just watch sports on a big screen with a cheap meal and a drink, this is a city that caters to many tastes.

Roath and Cathays are traditional student areas that host a long list of pubs, cafes, bars and shops, some of which host weekly student nights and drinks offers. The ‘Cafe Quarter’ on Mill Lane is popular for its stylish late-night bar and restaurant scene.

Music

Cardiff has a thriving music scene. The award-winning multi-venue music festival Swn Festival takes place every October while the Motorpoint Arena and Millennium Stadium host several big-name tours.

For a more intimate music experience, music lovers can check out smaller independent venues like Clwb Ifor Bach and the Cardiff University Students’ Union bars.

Outdoor activities

With over 330 parks and gardens, Cardiff is said to have more green space per person than any other UK core city. This makes it ripe for fun outdoor activities.

The Brecon Beacons are stunning areas for mountain biking, hiking or horse riding and are in close proximity to the city. Indoor climbing centres, white water rafting, and ice skating are also all possible in the city.

If you’re a beach bum you can enjoy surfing, sailing or sunbathing at world-class beaches on Wales’ coastline, which is within an hour’s drive from the city. It was named as ‘the greatest region on earth to visit in 2012’ by travellers’ bible Lonely Planet.

Universities in Cardiff

Cardiff is home to three major universities.

Cardiff University

Cardiff University, a member of the Russell Group, is ranked as the world’s 166th best university by the QS World University Rankings for 2023. It’s one of Britain's top 24 leading research universities ranking 5th amongst UK universities in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework for quality and 2nd for impact.

Its outstanding research community features 2 Nobel Prize winners, 13 Fellows of the Royal Society, 11 Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering, 7 Fellows of the British Academy, and 21 Fellows of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Formerly known as the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff Metropolitan University is a global university with students from over 140 countries worldwide. It’s ranked among the world’s 1,200 best universities by the Times Higher Education rankings in 2022.

University of South Wales

The University of South Wales has campuses in Wales (Cardiff, Newport, and Pontypridd) and Dubai. The public university was formed in 2013 from the merger of the University of Glamorgan and the University of Wales, Newport. Its Cardiff Campus hosts the faculties of Creative Industries and Business and Society.

Frequently asked questions about student housing in Cardiff

How do I apply for a student flat in Cardiff?

Booking a student residence in Cardiff is easy with Student.com!

Step 1: Use our search filters to compare your options and the map function to locate properties. This will help you choose the right student home for you.

Step 2: Once you’ve selected your preferred student accommodation, go to the property page by clicking on ‘View rooms’.

Step 3: Choose the room you’re interested in booking and click ‘Enquire’ or ‘Book Now.’ Leave your contact details and one of our booking consultants will give you a call.

Step 4: Once you are ready to book, your booking consultant will send you a contract to sign.

What are the different room types you offer?

There are currently two different types of student flats to choose from in Cardiff.

Private Rooms will get you a private bedroom, and sometimes a private bathroom as well, depending on the property. You’ll share other living facilities, like the kitchen.

The Entire Place is perfect if you’re seeking a fully self-contained studio property where you won’t have to share anything with anyone. They include your own bedroom, bathroom and cooking facilities. It’s the perfect choice for people who love to have a private space just for them!

Is it safe to rent private student accommodation?

We only list properties from trusted student accommodation providers, so you can be sure that any property you see on Student.com offers safe and high-quality accommodation.

How do I pay my rent?

The rent is paid directly to the landlord. You don’t have to pay anything to Student.com.

Do I need to pay a deposit?

Yes, you’ll need to pay a deposit to secure your booking. Our booking consultants can give you more information on this once you are ready to book.

Are the properties fully furnished?

Yes, almost all of the properties we list in Cardiff are rented furnished. There are a couple that are not, however, so make sure to check on the property page to see if the place you like is rented furnished or unfurnished.