Where will my son or daughter live?

In the past many students moved some distance away from their home to study, but with more courses on offer than ever before, there is now more choice for students, either to move away or to stay near to their family.

Staying at home can be a cheaper and a more convenient option; some people may prefer this. On the other hand, some courses will only be available some distance from home, and many students enjoy the independence that moving away can bring. University offers an ideal opportunity to move away from home in a protective environment.

University accommodation

Student residences

Settling in and making new friends are important first steps in university life. Living in university accommodation can help ease the process of adjusting to the challenges and opportunities of student life. It offers students a comfortable and independent lifestyle at a reasonable cost. Costs vary depending upon the type of accommodation.

A certain level of support is provided as many students have not lived away from home before. The cost of accommodation may include catering, cleaning, heating, and bed linen. They also have the added advantage of location — usually situated near to, on, or close-by the university campus. Student residences are a great way to meet like-minded people and to make new friends.

It’s important to read information about student residences as there is a wide range of provision. Some residences are a collection of self-contained, self-catering flats where five or six students live together sharing a common kitchen and living area. Others provide a partcatered option where all students eat together in a refectory. Many residences also offer other facilities such as a laundry, a bar/social centre, a fast-food outlet and sports facilities.

Most residences offer single study bedrooms comprising of a bed, wardrobe, cupboards, desk, a washbasin or en-suite facilities and the rooms may have phone and internet access. Some students choose to bring a portable television (for which a TV licence is required), hi-fi systems or a computer to use in their own rooms.

All first year students at Cardiff University (including those whose homes are in Cardiff) are guaranteed a place in university accommodation, the majority of which are within easy walking distance of lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, the Students’ Union and the city centre.

At Cardiff University a room in a self-catered student residence costs from £48 per week. Catered accommodation is from £73 per week.

In the 2nd year the majority of students choose to live with friends in rented accommodation near to the University. They will take responsibility for finding a suitable house, organising finances, paying rent and bills, cooking and cleaning. The average cost of living in private rented accommodation is £58 per week. The University’s residences office can provide help with finding private accommodation.