UniHomes guide to

Cardiff

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Uni Life in Cardiff

Cardiff is the capital of Wales and is a fantastic place for students to live and study in. Both Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University are prestigious institutions with large student populations, meaning the capital's friendly community benefits from a hefty dose of vibrant student spirit. To top it all off, Cardiff is considered one of the friendliest and most affordable places to live as a student.

You'll never get bored in this bustling city; it is loaded with culture and scenery, with Cardiff Castle, Castell Coch, Cardiff Bay and the National Museum offering an abundance of gems to discover. If you're looking to dance the night away with your friends, Pryzm is the place to go, along with a host of other clubs based around St Mary Street and Greyfriars Road. 

Key reasons to study in Cardiff

  • 1
    Cardiff Accommodation

    Cardiff is a great and affordable place for students as private accommodation usually sits between

  • 2
    Places to go

    There's no time to be bored in the city that never sleeps, from visiting historical locations (it's definitely the city of castles), St Davids shopping centre, and too many parks to count. Cardiff is the place for you if you love partying the night away as much as beautiful walks in parks; make sure you check out the student unions as there is always something happening there. 

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    Student Hot Spots

    Cardiff comes with some vibrant student areas including Roath and Heath, which are just a short walk from both universities in the city. Plus, these neighbourhoods are dotted with an impressive array of independent shops, sought-after eateries and popular student drinking spots. If you're looking for some hot spots to visit with your friends; check out Heidi's, Boom Battle Bar, Live Lounge and Retro. 

  • 4
    Any sports fans out there?

    Cardiff is a hotbed of winning sports teams. There

Cardiff is a bustling capital city, without being too busy or daunting. It's so affordable and full of things to do - from visiting historical sites at Cardiff Castle to having a shopping spree in the St David's Centre. Cardiff is also full of independent businesses and has a really strong sense of community, which I love.

Alice M Brand Ambassador

Universities in Cardiff

Cardiff University

Picture of Cardiff University

As a member of the prestigious Russell Group, Cardiff University has built an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. Cardiff is the third oldest university in Wales and attracts almost 24,000 undergraduate students to its campus every year. You'll find Cardiff University right in the middle of the city, next to Cathay Park and within a stones throw from the Cardiff National Museum, the vibrant City Road district and Cathays railway station.

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Picture of Cardiff Metropolitan University

With 11,000 undergraduates studying at Cardiff Metropolitan University every year, and a UK & Ireland University of the Year award 2021, it's hard to think of many other metropolitan universities with more acclaim than CMU. Cardiff Metropolitan was recently awarded Silver in the Teaching Excellence Framework, and over 96% of graduate find employment or further study within six months of graduating.

Student Life in Cardiff

Cardiff is such a beautiful city with a lovely balance of peaceful nature parks and busy city life. One thing I love about Cardiff is that there's always something to do - you're never bored! The nightlife is insane, there's something for everyone, whether it's student club nights, tours of the castle or seeing a musical in the millenium centre. Without a doubt, my favourite place to be. :)

Eve C Brand Ambassador

Frequently Asked Questions

October is the best time to start looking for student accommodation in Cardiff. Properties will be available until February, but we would recommend starting a search for a property during the autumn. The most popular student areas in Cardiff include Cathays, Roath and Heath.
UniHomes has a property search tool which displays hundreds of student properties in Cardiff, all with bills included. Sign up to our mailing list so that you can be notified of new properties going live.
Tenancy periods in Cardiff usually last for 12 months. Most contracts will start on the 1st July and end on the 30th June the following year. Occasionally, letting agents may offer tenancy periods that last for 10 or 11 months, starting in August or September. You can always enquire with the letting agent to find out how long your contract length will be.
Deposits are usually either 4 or 5 week's rent. The maximum legal amount a landlord can charge your for a deposit is 5 week's rent. You’ll get your deposit back when you move out of the property. That said, if the landlord is still owed outstanding rent or needs to pay for repairs to damage within the property, they may take deductions from the deposit to cover the costs.
UniHomes accommodation in Cardiff usually costs £115 – £177 per person, per week. This price includes the cost of all bills you'll need to pay, which you won't always see on other student accommodation websites. Check out the full range of student accommodations available in Cardiff.

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