Cardiff University Accommodation

Cardiff University opened in 1883 and now belongs to the Russell Group of research-intensive UK universities. It teaches more than 31,000 people from over 140 countries, including undergraduate and postgraduate learners.

The university divides teaching between two main campuses.

Cathays Park contains most academic schools. Journalism, architecture, business, law, social sciences, humanities, engineering, mathematics, and computer science all use buildings in or around the civic center. The campus also contains several libraries, the Centre for Student Life, and the main Students’ Union.

Heath Park brings four healthcare schools onto the same grounds as the University Hospital of Wales. Medicine, dentistry, and healthcare timetables can include hospital departments, laboratories, placements, and early clinical sessions, which makes the precise course location particularly important.

Cardiff University also has a large research community, but research groups work from different academic schools and buildings. The search phrase student accommodation near Cardiff University Research Society does not point to one fixed society address. Postgraduate researchers should use their school, laboratory, or doctoral academy location when checking a property route.

Cardiff University - Quick Facts

Key Feature	Details
Established	1883
University Type	Public Research University and Russell Group Member
Student Population	31,000+ Students
International Students	Students from 140+ Countries
Location	Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Main Campuses	Cathays Park Campus & Heath Park Campus
Popular Courses	Architecture, Journalism, Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Business and Management, Healthcare and Medicine, Engineering, Computer Science
Key Campus Facilities	Students' Union, Centre for Student Life, Libraries, Research Centres, Sports Facilities
Nearest Student Areas	Adamsdown, Cathays, City Centre, Heath, Roath
Accommodation Options	University Halls, Studios, Shared Apartments, Private Student Accommodation, and En-suite Rooms

Cardiff Students’ Union: A purpose-built center next to Cathays railway station and the Centre for Student Life. It contains cafés, shops, bars, a post office, study areas, and a live music venue.

Student Societies: The union supports more than 230 societies, which cover academic subjects, cultures, faith, music, politics, media, volunteering, and specialist interests.

Sports & Fitness: Join one of 71 sports clubs, including football, rowing, athletics, climbing, boxing, hockey, netball, martial arts, and more.

Student Community: Around 15,000 students participate every year in societies, sports, and campus events, creating a vibrant and inclusive community.

Cathays keeps much of this activity near the main teaching buildings.

Food & Cafes: Salisbury Road is popular for affordable restaurants, cafes, takeaways, and grocery stores.

Entertainment & Shopping: The Cardiff city center offers shopping centres, Cardiff Market, theaters, live music venues, and cinemas.

Green Areas: Relax and study outdoors in Bute Park, one of the largest urban parks in UK, located near the university.

Heath Park Campus: Heath Park has its own academic and social rhythm. Clinical timetables, hospital placements, and medical societies can keep the week centered farther north, which makes a Heath or Talybont address more useful than a room near the main nightlife streets.

Cathays: Cathays remains the strongest choice for most courses at Cathays Park. Salisbury Road, Woodville Road, Crwys Road, and the streets behind the Students’ Union contain terraced houses, private flats, university residences, supermarkets, and late-opening food shops.

The route to lectures can take less than ten minutes from many addresses. Senghennydd Court stands half a mile from the Main Building, while Cardiff University’s Student Houses place residents around 15 minutes away on foot. University-owned rooms in these areas currently begin at £131.81 per week for selected shared-bathroom bedrooms.

Cathays carries more noise than Heath or Roath. Match days, house parties, and busy roads can change the atmosphere of an otherwise practical street. A viewing during the afternoon will not show what the same room sounds like after midnight, so check recent reviews and ask about the bedroom’s position within the property.

Talybont and North Cardiff: The Talybont complex lies northwest of Cathays Park near sports facilities, supermarkets, and large green spaces. Talybont North, South, Court, and Gate house several thousand Cardiff University residents between them.

Talybont North currently begins at £143.64 per week for a small en-suite room. A standard en-suite costs £167.37 per week, while Talybont Gate begins at £179.20. The Main Building takes about 20 to 30 minutes on foot from different parts of the complex, and Heath Park takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes.

Talybont suits first-year applicants who want university halls, an en-suite bathroom, and a large resident community. Flat sizes vary, so check the kitchen capacity before choosing between North, South, Court, and Gate.

Heath: Heath gives medicine, dentistry, and healthcare courses the clearest route to the hospital campus. Residential streets surround the University Hospital of Wales, with supermarkets and cafés along Whitchurch Road and nearby districts.

Clodien House appears frequently in private searches for this area, although its direct rooms have recently sold out. Talybont North and University Hall also keep Heath Park within a reasonable walk or cycle. University Hall takes about 25 minutes on foot from Heath Park and includes a weekday university bus at no additional charge during the main teaching periods.

A Heath address can feel inconvenient for humanities or business courses based in Cathays Park. Check every teaching building before committing to the quieter postcode.

City Centre: The city centre places St David’s shopping centre, Cardiff Central station, Queen Street station, restaurants, and nightlife near the front door. Cathays Park remains walkable from most central properties, although the route can take 15 to 25 minutes depending on the address.

Northgate House Apartments, Windsor House, and Summit House all occupy central streets. This part of Cardiff carries more studios and managed apartment buildings than Cathays, so it suits anyone who wants private kitchen facilities or a staffed residence.

Weekly prices generally exceed a room in a Cathays house. The extra rent covers a central postcode, included bills, security, and newer interiors. It does not automatically reduce the route to lectures.

Roath and Plasnewydd: Roath lies east of Cathays and has independent cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, and pubs around Albany Road and City Road. The route to Cathays Park often takes 15 to 25 minutes on foot, while a bicycle shortens the trip.

Canvas The Parade stands on the Cathays side of Roath and currently lists en-suite bedrooms starting at £167 per week. City Heights occupies City Road and begins at £265 for its available room categories.

Roath gives a calmer return than central Cathays without placing the university far away. The exact street still matters. An address near The Parade has a different campus route from one near Roath Park Lake.

Adamsdown and Newport Road: Adamsdown and Newport Road have become lower-priced private student accommodations in the Cardiff     district east of the center. Adam Street Gardens, Howard Gardens, The Fitzalan, Ty Pont Haearn, and Collegiate Eclipse all appear around this part of Cardiff.

Current available rooms begin at £149 at Adam Street Gardens, £155 at The Fitzalan and Ty Pont Haearn, and £165 at Howard Gardens. Collegiate Eclipse lists rooms at £149, but all of them are currently unavailable.

The walk to Cathays Park can exceed 25 minutes. A bicycle or local bus can reduce the time, but transport belongs in the weekly calculation.

Cardiff University: Student Accommodation by Area

Area	Distance from Cardiff University	Weekly price*	Best for
Cathays	10-15 mins	From £131+	Convenience and lower cost.
Talybont / North Cardiff	20-30 mins	From £143+	First-years, en-suites, halls
Heath	~25 mins to Heath Park	Varies	Medicine, healthcare, dentistry
City Centre	15-25 mins	Generally higher	Studios, central living, nightlife
Roath / Plasnewydd	15-25 mins	From £167+	Good access, cafés, quieter surroundings
Adamsdown / Newport Road	25+ mins	From £149+	More affordable private accommodation

*Prices may vary

Do Not Confuse Cardiff University with Cardiff Met

Cardiff University and Cardiff Metropolitan University use different campuses. Cardiff University teaches mainly at Cathays Park and Heath Park. Cardiff Met teaches mainly at Llandaff and Cyncoed.

A page titled student accommodation near Cardiff Metropolitan University may calculate its distance from Llandaff or Cyncoed, not Cardiff University’s Main Building. The same warning applies to private student accommodation near Cardiff Metropolitan University and private shared student accommodation near Cardiff Metropolitan University.

Enter the university name and campus postcode before trusting any advertised mileage. A property near Cardiff Met Llandaff can leave a Cardiff University student with a longer trip than the listing suggests.

Cardiff University’s 2026/27 calculator places a 40-week en-suite room at Talybont North at £6,694.80, including bills. It estimates £2,706.40 for food, toiletries, and laundry during the same period; £180 for study costs; £1,532 for leisure; and £270 for a mobile phone and individual TV license. The total comes to £11,743.20 over 40 weeks.

A private four-bedroom house produces a different payment pattern. Cardiff University estimates average rent at £500 per month, followed by £88 for utilities. A 52-week private-house budget reaches £13,510.92 after food, course costs, clothes, social plans, and phone expenses.

Cardiff University Accommodation: Weekly Planning Figures

Expenses	Estimated Cost	Things to Check Before Budgeting
Rent	£140-£250+	Contract length and room category
Food, groceries, and toiletries	£50-£80+	Meal habits and dietary needs
Utility bills	£0-£20+	Included in halls and most private residences
Laundry	£10-£15+	Machine and dryer charges
Local transport	£10-£20+	Campus distance and weekly timetable
Mobile phone	£5-£15+	Contract and data allowance
Course costs	£10-£15+	Printing, equipment, and placements
Social plans	£40-£60+	Frequency and venue

The cheapest weekly rent does not always produce the lowest tenancy. A £149 room over 51 weeks costs £7,599. A £167 room over 40 weeks costs £6,680. The higher weekly price saves £919 because the contract ends eleven weeks earlier.

International student visa applicants studying in Cardiff currently need to show £1,171 for each month of study, up to nine months, unless an exemption applies. This figure belongs to the immigration process and should not replace a personal budget.

Cardiff University: Course and Fees

Course	Tuition Fees (Per Year)
Banking and Finance (BSc)	£24,700+
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (BEng)	£30,700+
Journalism and Communications (BA)	£24,700+
Medicine (MBBCh)	£47,450+
Strategic and Digital Marketing (MSc)	£29,700+
Business Administration (MBA)	£34,700+
Engineering Management (MSc)	£30,700+

Note: Fee structure as per official Cardiff University

Shared-Bathroom University Room: A shared-bathroom room gives you a private bedroom, followed by a communal bathroom and kitchen. Cardiff University’s Student Houses and selected Senghennydd Court rooms use this format.

University student houses currently begin at £131.81 per week, while shared-bathroom rooms at Senghennydd Court begin at £143.64. Both include utilities and university Wi-Fi, although laundry requires a separate payment.

Ask how many residents share each bathroom. A five-bedroom flat with two showers creates a very different morning from a larger house with one bathroom.

En-suite Room: An en-suite room keeps the bedroom and bathroom private while the flat shares a kitchen. Talybont, University Hall, and many private buildings follow this format.

The room label does not reveal the kitchen size. Talybont North flats can house four to ten people, while other residences may place more residents around one communal area. Check fridge shelves, cupboards, ovens, and seating before accepting the first available room.

Private Room in a Shared Apartment: Private shared student accommodation near Cardiff University usually means a lockable bedroom inside an apartment with a communal kitchen, lounge, or bathroom. Northgate House, The Fitzalan, and several Cathays developments use two-, three-, or four-bedroom apartment formats. 

This setup can reduce rent without placing the tenant in a traditional terraced house. It also keeps maintenance and security under one management team.

Studio: A studio includes a private bathroom and kitchenette. Windsor House, Summit House, Northgate House, City Heights, and several Newport Road properties list this room type.

The weekly price changes sharply with floor area, bed size, and contract length. Windsor House currently begins near £201, Northgate House lists studios from £182, Summit House begins at £235 for an available studio, and City Heights begins at £265.

Furnished Rooms: Most university halls and managed private residences include a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, and storage. Studio rooms also include cooking equipment, although the exact specification changes by building.

Anyone requesting furnished student accommodation near Cardiff University should still read the inventory. “Furnished” may cover only bedroom furniture and basic kitchen appliances. Bedding, crockery, pans, lamps, and desk equipment can remain the tenant’s responsibility.

Entire House: A full-house tenancy usually suits an established group after the first year. Each tenant takes one bedroom, followed by shared use of the kitchen, lounge, and bathrooms.

The group should agree on the rent split before signing. A large upstairs double room should not automatically cost the same as a small ground-floor bedroom beside the front door. Record the agreement in writing and include utilities, internet, and communal purchases.

Cardiff University Student Housing Types

Accommodation Type	Key Features	Starting Price
Shared-Bathroom University Room	Private bedroom with shared bathroom and kitchen. Utilities and Wi-Fi included.	From £131+/week (Student Houses) / From £143+/week (Senghennydd Court)
En-suite Room	Private bedroom and bathroom with a shared kitchen. This type of room is popular in university halls and PBSA.	Varies
Private Room in Shared Apartment	Private bedroom with shared kitchen and living space. Best for affordable, social living.	Varies
Studio	Self-contained rooms with private bathroom and kitchenette. Maximum privacy.	From £182 to £265/week
Furnished Room	Includes essentials such as a bed, chair, desk, and wardrobe. Studio rooms also include basic kitchen facilities.	Varies
Entire House	Suitable for groups of friends with shared living spaces and bills.	Varies

The best student accommodation near Cardiff University must match the correct campus before anything else. The table below uses Cathays Park as the main reference point unless stated otherwise.

Property	Starting price	Room format	Main reason to shortlist
Student Houses	£131+	Private room, shared bathroom	Low university-owned entry price near Cathays
Senghennydd Court	£145+	Shared bathroom or postgraduate en suite	Ten-minute walk to Main Building
Talybont North	£143+	En suite room	University halls between Cathays and Heath
Adam Street Gardens	£173+	En suite or studio	Lowest available private entry price
The Fitzalan	£155+	Two-bed apartment or studio	Lower-cost Newport Road option
Ty Pont Haearn	£161+	En suite or studio	City access and several contract lengths
Canvas: The Parade	£177+	En suite or studio	Roath address near Cathays
Northgate House	£182+	Shared apartment or studio	Central location and several room formats
Windsor House	£187+	Apartment or studio	Central self-contained rooms
City Heights	£240+	Studio or apartment	Higher-spec City Road property

Student Houses: Cardiff University manages houses around Cathays and Roath for four to eleven residents. Entry-level rooms cost £131+ per week over a 40-week contract, with bills and Wi-Fi included.

The Main Building takes around 15 minutes on foot, and the Students’ Union remains nearby. These houses give first-year and returning applicants a lower-cost route into university-managed accommodation without placing them in a large hall.

Senghennydd Court: Senghennydd Court has 610 residents and places the Main Building about ten minutes away. Undergraduate rooms use shared bathrooms, while selected postgraduate categories have an en-suite.

Self-catered shared-bathroom rooms cost £5,745.60 over 40 weeks. The property also has a part-catered category that includes one weekday hot meal. Engineering, mathematics, physics, and computer science buildings occupy the same part of Cathays, which can reduce the route further for those courses.

Talybont North: Talybont North gives undergraduates several en-suite price bands from £143 to £199.78 per week. The university includes bills, Wi-Fi, and basic contents insurance, while laundry remains pay-as-you-go.

The complex has supermarkets and sports facilities nearby and lies between Cathays Park and Heath Park. It suits course schedules that need access to both parts of the university.

Adam Street Gardens: Adam Street Gardens currently has Cardiff’s lowest available private entry price at approximately £173 per week. The entry category includes a private en-suite bedroom in a shared apartment. Studios begin higher.

The rent includes electricity, gas, water, Wi-Fi, and contents insurance. Residents also have study areas, a gym, communal rooms, laundry, and on-site support. The property is located east of the center, so expect a longer route to Cathays Park than you would from a room in Senghennydd or a university house.

The Fitzalan: The Fitzalan begins at £155 per week for a bedroom in a two-person apartment. Studio prices currently begin around £180.

Bills and contents insurance form part of the rent, and the building includes communal study and social rooms. The smaller apartment format gives residents one flatmate instead of a large cluster kitchen.

Ty Pont Haearn: Ty Pont Haearn begins at £161 per week for an en-suite bedroom. The property has more than 600 rooms, shared lounges, study areas, laundry, and secure entry.

Several short and full-term contracts appear in the current room list. Check the total carefully because the same room can carry a different weekly rate under a 44-week or 51-week agreement.

Canvas The Parade: It occupies a Roath address near City Road and Albany Road. En-suite bedrooms currently begin at £167, while studios cost more.

Utility bills and Wi-Fi form part of the rent. The building also includes study rooms, a gym, social areas, and a cinema room. This property offers a realistic walk or cycle to Cathays Park without placing the room in the busiest part of Cathays.

Northgate House Apartments: Northgate House has shared apartments and private studios in central Cardiff. Current studio prices start at £182, while selected two-bedroom rooms can be from about £145 under certain contracts.

Bills, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, bicycle storage, and 24-hour concierge support form part of the property. The castle-view rooms cost more. Check how often the view will matter before adding hundreds of pounds to the tenancy.

University-owned houses currently give the lowest published entry price at £131.81 per week. Talybont North and Senghennydd Court follow at £143.64. Among currently available private residences, Adam Street Gardens begins around £149, while The Fitzalan and Ty Pont Haearn begin at £155.

Accommodation Option	Weekly price	Full-term Price
Cambrian Point	From £140+	£8,772+ over 40 weeks
Adam Street Gardens	From £173+	£7,599+ over 51 weeks
The Fitzalan	From £155+	£7,905+ over 51 weeks
Ty Pont Haearn	From £161+	£10,404+ over 51 weeks
West Wing	From £165+	£8,415+ over 51 weeks

The table explains why a university room can cost less even when its weekly rate appears close to a private property. A 40-week contract removes eleven weeks of rent from the year.

An affordable room also needs a usable kitchen, reliable heating, and a practical route to campus. Saving £10 a week has little value when the property requires regular bus fares or leaves six people with one small fridge.

Premium and Luxury Housing Options near Cardiff University 

The luxury student accommodation near Cardiff University offers modern studios or high-spec buildings with gyms, cinema rooms, roof terraces, larger beds, and private kitchens.

City Heights begins at £265 per week and includes studio-style rooms, high-spec communal areas, and a City Road location. Summit House begins at £235 for an available studio, while Windsor House starts near £201 for its lower studio categories.

Facilities only justify the extra rent when they replace something you would otherwise pay for. An on-site gym can save a membership fee. A cinema room used twice during the year cannot justify a £3,000 difference in contract cost.

Walking: Cathays Park merges with the northern edge of the city center. The Main Building, Students’ Union, Cathays railway station, and several libraries occupy the same area, so a property in Cathays can remove public transport from most weekdays.

Cardiff Central station is roughly 20 to 30 minutes away from the Main Building on foot. Queen Street gives a shorter route to engineering, computer science, mathematics, and the Senghennydd residences.

Rail: Cathays Station appears in the center of Cathays Park, opposite the Main Building and beside the Students’ Union. Local trains connect it with Cardiff Central, Queen Street, and suburban stations.

Heath High Level and Heath Low Level lie around 20 minutes from Heath Park on foot. These stations can help with a property farther north, although the final walk remains part of the route.

Buses: Local bus services connect Cathays, Heath, Roath, the city center, and outer residential districts. University Hall also has a dedicated weekday bus to Cathays Park and Heath Park during the main teaching periods, with the final return leaving the Centre for Student Life at 18:25.

Verify the timetable against placements and evening sessions. A frequent daytime service does not help when the final bus leaves before a late hospital shift ends.

Cycling: Cardiff University has more than 3,800 bicycle parking spaces, including secure shelters. Cycle routes connect Cathays Park with Talybont, Heath, and Roath, and the university sells discounted high-security locks.

A bicycle can turn a 25-minute walk into a trip of around ten minutes. Check busy junctions and storage before treating cycling as the main travel plan.

Student Travel Quick Guide for Cardiff University

Transport Mode	Estimated Travel Time	Key Details
Walking	20-30 mins	This is the ideal option if you live in Cathays, as it removes the need for daily public transport.
Rail	Few minutes (train)	The Cathays Station is located opposite the Main Building and next to the Students’ Union.
Buses	Scheduled route	Dedicated weekday shuttle; final return leaves the Centre for Student Life at 18:25.
Cycling	~10 mins	Over 3800 parking spaces, secure shelters, and discounted security locks.