Accommodation FAQs
At Cardiff Met, we understand the importance of feeling secure and comfortable in your new home while you study. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about accommodation for international students.
It is not advisable to try to arrange accommodation in the private sector prior to arrival, because you must be sure that the accommodation suits your needs before signing a legally binding contract. It is vital that you book temporary accommodation before your arrival in Cardiff. If you would like help securing temporary accommodation, please email internationalarrival@cardiffmet.ac.uk and the team will provide you with some guidance on how and where to book your temporary accommodation.
Yes. The International Student Support Team will be on hand when you arrive to discuss information and guidance on finding accommodation in the private sector. Although we can’t accompany you to visit letting agents or arrange viewings on your behalf, we can provide clear advice on where and how to look, what to expect from the private rental market and how to avoid common issues.
Before you arrive, we will also host a pre‑arrival webinar on Microsoft Teams, where we will share lots of useful information, practical guidance and top tips on securing private accommodation. This session will cover topics such as searching for properties, understanding contracts, budgeting and using reputable letting agents. All new international students will be invited to this webinar in advance by email. The webinar will be recorded and made available for students who are unable to join the live session.
In addition, the Accommodation Team is available to support you with your accommodation search and can provide advice on options locally and beyond.
The average cost of private accommodation, depending on the type of property, ranges from approximately £390-£1,000+ per month. This excludes energy bills, as these are usually paid separately.
| Type and Features | Price per Month |
|---|---|
| 1 Bed Flat Excluding bills |
From £600-£750 |
| 2 Bed Flat Excluding bills |
From £800-£1,000 |
| Shared House (3-7 beds) Shared bathroom and kitchen, excluding bills |
From £390-£450 per room |
We understand some students choose to live with friends or relatives in order to save money on accommodation costs.
The University recommends that all students live within a one-hour commute of Cardiff. If your accommodation is located outside of this area, please be aware that you could face many difficulties including:
- Expense – the cost of public transport, especially long distances, can be very expensive.
- Time – At peak travelling times in the morning and the evening, the UK’s road and rail networks can be very congested which will make your travelling time to University longer.
- Impact on studies – Long travelling times to the University will increase your chances of being late or missing your classes altogether. In addition, tiredness from travelling long distances will impact your ability to concentrate in your classes.
You will be studying a full-time course so your classes could be taught every day between Monday and Friday – it is not possible for your timetable to be changed. As per the immigration obligations attached to your student visa, you will be expected to attend all classes.
As required by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), the University will closely monitor your attendance and engagement on your course. Living too far away from Cardiff will not be an acceptable reason for not attending classes. Continued poor attendance could result in the University withdrawing you from your course, and this will be reported to UKVI, and your student visa will be cancelled.
You can tell us about your preference for the gender mix of your flat when you apply. We use this information, along with other lifestyle preferences, to try to match you with students who have similar expectations. However, we do not offer designated single-gender flats, so this cannot be guaranteed and will depend on availability and the preferences of other applicants.
You can let us know your preferences around alcohol when completing your accommodation application. We aim to match students with similar lifestyles and preferences, including those who would prefer to live in a non-alcohol environment. In some cases, this may result in a flat where residents choose not to drink alcohol. However, these flats are based on shared preferences rather than designated alcohol-free blocks, so we cannot guarantee this.
We will always try to match you with flatmates who have similar preferences where possible. If can’t meet your preferences due to availability or demand, you will still receive an offer of accommodation (if eligible), but it may not match all of your requested preferences.
We take your level of study into account when allocating accommodation and will try to group students with others at a similar stage where possible. However, we do not have accommodation reserved exclusively for postgraduate students, so this cannot be guaranteed.
Unfortunately, the answer is no. All rooms offered by Cardiff Met are single study bedrooms so are not suitable accommodation for students living with children and family members. The Global Student Advisory Service can offer advice on how to find more appropriate privately rented accommodation.
If you live in Cardiff Met halls of residence, contents insurance is included. Should you choose to live in the private sector, we recommend that you get contents insurance for your belongings.
No. All Cardiff Met campuses, including halls of residence, are completely smoke‑free. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on campus.
This means:
- You must not smoke inside your room or outside your flat door.
- Smoking is not allowed anywhere within halls of residence or on campus grounds.
- E‑cigarettes and vapes must not be charged on campus, including in halls.
Anyone found breaking this policy may be subject to the University’s disciplinary procedures.