Student accommodation Cardiff costs about £137 to £225 a week in university halls, from roughly £155 in private halls and £425 to £600 a month in shared houses. Weekly rent misleads, so compare the contract length. A 40-week hall at £155.54 totals £6,221.60, while a 51-week room at £169 totals £8,619.
Student accommodation Cardiff options fall into three groups: university halls, private halls and shared houses. Each group prices rent differently, and weekly figures hide big differences in contract length. A cheap-looking £155 a week can cost more over the year than a £179 room with a shorter contract.
This guide compares the three types using published 2026/27 prices. It shows total contract costs, explains what bills usually include and gives a checklist for choosing a room before you sign.
Prices change every year and by room type. The figures here come from university pages and provider listings for the 2026/27 cycle. Check the current price and contract length with the provider before you apply.
Key takeaways
- Cardiff University lists average halls fees of about £144 to £187 a week for 2026/27, depending on room type.
- Private halls start around £155 a week with bills included, but contracts often last 42 to 51 weeks.
- Shared houses cost roughly £425 to £600 per person each month, usually with bills extra.
- Total contract cost is the number that matters, not the weekly price.
Student accommodation Cardiff: the three main types
| Type | Typical weekly or monthly cost | Bills | Typical contract |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiff University halls | About £132 to £187 a week | Included | 39, 40 or 44 weeks |
| Cardiff Metropolitan University halls | About £137 to £225 a week | Included | About 42 weeks |
| Private halls | From about £155 to £195 or more a week | Included | 42 to 51 weeks |
| Shared private house | About £425 to £600 a month | Usually extra | Usually 12 months |
Laundry is often extra, so check the small print. Additionally, ranges vary because universities quote weekly prices with bills, while landlords quote monthly rents without bills.
University student accommodation Cardiff halls
Cardiff University publishes an average weekly fee by room type for 2026/27.
| Room type | Average weekly fee |
|---|---|
| Part-catered, en suite | £187 |
| Part-catered, shared bathroom | £163 to £187 |
| Self-catered, en suite | £144 to £179 |
| Self-catered, shared bathroom | £144 to £156 |
Individual halls give clear examples. Hodge Hall lists from £155.54 a week, a total of £6,221.60. Senghennydd Hall lists from £179.06 a week, a total of £7,162.40. Both use a 40-week contract.
Cardiff Metropolitan University also runs halls at its Llandaff and Cyncoed campuses. Listed prices include self-catered shared rooms from about £137 a week and catered rooms above £200. Plas Gwyn lists from £156 a week.
Private student accommodation Cardiff halls
Private purpose-built halls sit mostly in the city centre and on the edge of Cathays. They add facilities such as gyms, social spaces and studios, and bills are normally included.
- Ty Pont Haearn starts from about £155 a week.
- Cambrian Point starts from about £172.
- Adam Street Gardens starts from about £173.
- The Bakery starts from about £175.
- Glendower House lists standard studios at about £198 on a 51-week stay.
- Howard Gardens lists standard en suite rooms at about £169 on a 51-week contract.
Moreover, some city-centre studios cost far more. Premium studios at one central building list weekly rents above £240, so read the room type carefully.
Student accommodation Cardiff shared houses in Cathays and Roath
Traditional shared houses cluster in Cathays and Roath. Landlords usually quote a monthly rent per person, and bills are normally extra. Cardiff University’s 2026/27 cost estimate uses £500 a month for rent and £88 a month for gas, electricity, water and broadband.
Expect to budget about £60 to £90 per person each month for bills. If an advert says “bills included”, ask about the fair-usage cap and what happens if the house exceeds it.
Total cost: why the contract length matters
Weekly prices look comparable, but total costs differ once you multiply by the number of weeks. This table uses published rents and typical contract lengths.
| Option | Weekly rent | Weeks | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hodge Hall (Cardiff University) | £155.54 | 40 | £6,221.60 |
| Senghennydd Hall (Cardiff University) | £179.06 | 40 | £7,162.40 |
| Plas Gwyn (Cardiff Met) | £156 | 42 | £6,552 |
| Ty Pont Haearn (private) | £155 | 42 to 51 | £6,510 to £7,905 |
| Howard Gardens (private) | £169 | 51 | £8,619 |
| Shared house (rent plus bills) | £425 to £600 a month plus £60 to £90 | 12 months | £5,820 to £8,280 |
Consequently, a university hall at £179 a week can cost less over the year than a private room at £155 with a long contract. However, a 51-week contract also covers the summer, so it suits students who stay in Cardiff year-round.
How to choose the right student accommodation Cardiff option
- Start with your budget. Decide your yearly limit, then divide by the contract length.
- Check distance to campus. Cardiff University’s main buildings sit in Cathays Park, while the medical school is at Heath Park. Cardiff Met uses Llandaff and Cyncoed.
- Compare room types. An en suite costs more than a shared bathroom, but it can save arguments.
- Ask what bills include. Confirm Wi-Fi, energy caps and laundry.
- Read the contract. Joint liability means you may share responsibility for unpaid rent.
- Plan the deposit. Private halls may take a small deposit or none, while houses take larger ones.
Contract length checklist
- 39 to 44 weeks suits students who go home for summer.
- 51 weeks suits students who work or study in Cardiff in summer.
- Twelve-month house contracts mean you pay rent in July and August even if you are away.
Questions to ask before you sign
Providers answer more honestly when you ask direct questions. Send these by email and keep the replies.
- What is the total cost for the whole contract, including any fees?
- What does the weekly rent include, and what is capped?
- Can I leave early if my course changes, and what would it cost?
- How does the deposit work, and when do you return it?
- What happens if a flatmate leaves or stops paying?
Furthermore, ask about the property’s heating and insulation, since older shared houses can cost more to heat in winter. A well-run provider answers clearly and promptly. Meanwhile, silence or vague answers are a signal to look elsewhere.
Welsh renting rules for students
Students in private houses and halls are protected by Welsh rules. Landlords and agents can charge only permitted payments, and a holding deposit cannot exceed one week’s rent. For the wider rules and average rents, read our guide to rent in Cardiff. The students’ union housing advice service can also review contracts before you sign.
Application timing
Cardiff University opened 2026/27 accommodation applications in February 2026, with later deadlines in July and August. Therefore, students who start in 2027 should expect a similar February opening and check the current dates. Private providers often open earlier and fill their cheaper rooms first.
Student accommodation Cardiff: pitfalls to avoid
- Signing before you see the room or a floor plan.
- Ignoring the guarantor requirement.
- Missing the cancellation terms, so check any withdrawal charge before you pay.
- Forgetting to ask about summer storage.
You can explore more guides in our Living in Cardiff section, read our editorial policy to see how we handle figures or return to the Cardiff Post homepage.
Frequently asked questions
How much is student accommodation in Cardiff?
University halls list about £132 to £225 a week, private halls start around £155, and shared houses cost roughly £425 to £600 a month.
Is student accommodation in Cardiff cheaper in halls or private houses?
Over a year, it depends on contract length and bills. Shared houses can be cheaper per month, but bills are usually extra.
Are bills included in Cardiff student halls?
University and private halls normally include bills and Wi-Fi. Shared houses usually exclude them, so budget about £60 to £90 per person each month.
How long are student accommodation contracts in Cardiff?
University halls use 39, 40 or 44 weeks. Private halls run from 42 to 51 weeks, and shared houses often last 12 months.
Where do most students live in Cardiff?
Many students choose Cathays and Roath for shared houses, while halls sit near campuses and in the city centre.
When should I apply for student accommodation in Cardiff?
Cardiff University opened 2026/27 applications in February 2026. Apply as early as the university allows, and compare private halls before their cheaper rooms sell out.
Can a landlord charge a holding deposit to students in Wales?
Yes, but a holding deposit cannot exceed one week’s rent, and agents cannot charge banned fees.
Student accommodation Cardiff: the final check
Compare total contract cost, bills, distance and flexibility before you commit. Student accommodation Cardiff providers publish clear prices, so use them to build a simple yearly comparison. Then read the contract carefully, ask questions and choose the room that fits your budget and your course.
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