Cost of Living in Cardiff for Students

University Living • Last updated: January 29, 2025

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Cardiff is a city and county on the south coast of Wales.

Cardiff University is one of the best universities in the UK. It is known for its research center and awarded several education awards.

Is Cardiff safe for students?

According to South Wales Police, it is one of the safest places to stay in the UK.

Is Cardiff affordable for international students?

Cardiff is one of the most affordable places for students, as surveyed by NatWest. It is not too financially taxing compared to other cities in the UK.

Is accommodation cheap?

Student accommodation in Cardiff comes at affordable prices. We have a list of them, and you can choose as per your budget, location preference, and place to call home.

Note: The cost of living will vary and depend upon your lifestyle, etc.

Before we list the details of the cost of living in Cardiff, let’s summarize its cost.

Expenses	Cost (Average)
Average Tuition Fees	£16,500 – £32,500 / Year
Accommodation	£350 – £810 / Month
Local Transport	£75 / Month

Costs of Tuition Fees

Your tuition fees will depend on the course type and university you choose to study at.

Undergraduate Tuition Fee	Post-Graduate Tuition Fee
£16,500 to £25,000/ Year	£18,500 to £32,100 / Year

Student Accommodation Costs

Student accommodation in Cardiff offers three types of housing. They come in different prices, locations, etc. So it depends on you to choose from the three types below:

Student Housing

This is the most preferred type of housing for international students. It is located off-campus but close to the universities. It comes with stylish, modern infrastructure and amenities. All bills are inclusive of utility bills.

Most of the accommodations are at a distance of under 3 miles. While the ones outside of the city center are upto 20 miles..

Student Housing	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	£350 – £660 / Month

Private Apartment

Private apartments in Cardiff offer students the opportunity to stay in comfort. In this type of student housing, you can choose to stay alone or share the apartment with your friends. It features modern appliances and amenities.

Apartment	Price
Private	£660 – £810 / Month

University Halls

University halls are buildings built on the university campus. It offers students many types of rooms to choose from. Some universities come with an all-inclusive bill of utilities, and some do not include the same.

University Hall	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	£400 – £800 / Month

[Read Also: Top 5 Student Accommodations in Cardiff]

Food

If you eat food from outside, it will cost you more money than cooking at home. For instance, the cost will be around for an inexpensive meal £15, while eating food outside can finish this budget in 3–4 days.

Utility Bills

If you choose to stay in student housing, then you will get all-inclusive bills. While at university halls, some will include utility bills, while others will separate them from your rent bills.

Transportation

Cardiff is a city connected by good public transport. There are buses, trains, and even bikes to choose from for travelling. As a student, if you are travelling by bus, get a monthly bus pass.

Free things to do in Cardiff for students

Surprisingly, there are a lot of free things to see and do in Cardiff. Here’s a list of them for you to explore and take your mind off on the weekends: