AFS City Guides

The complete student guide to Cardiff

8 min read·Last updated: 13 July 2026

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Curated and written by

Sophia Crothall

8 min read

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Despite being a capital city, Cardiff is compact and easy to navigate. The city centre, Cardiff Bay and the surrounding student areas are all close together. This means you can live in a lively atmosphere without the overwhelming feel that often comes with large cities.

“I'd say Circuit for night life and Bonnie Rogues if you want to listen to good music. For food I'd say Chippy Lane, so many good options especially their chips curry sauce and chicken.”

MDMathew DixonCardiff Metropolitan

Why study in Cardiff

Well-connected
Cardiff is well-connected by train and bus, making it easy to explore beyond the city. Just 50 minutes away by train is Bristol. It’s perfect for shopping in Cabot Circus, exploring the harbourside or visiting live music venues. An extra 10 minutes on the train will take you to Bath, famous for…its baths! London is just under two hours away, Swansea an hour (most Cardiff University students will head here at least once for Varsity!) and closer to home is Barry – home to Gavin and Stacey.
The best atmopshere
Cardiff manages to feel like a proper capital city while still being student-friendly and affordable. There are plenty of unique cafes, restaurants, student clubs, and a plethora of things to do. The best thing is that everything is within walking distance. The atmosphere is added to by the strong sense of Welsh identity, and the number of major events – especially rugby at the Principality Stadium – which bring the whole city together.
Plenty of student accommodation areas
Cathays is the main student area and the closest to most university buildings. It’s packed with shared houses, takeaways and corner shops. It’s sociable, busy and ideal if you want to be at the centre of student life. This is where most student halls can be found too. Then you have Roath which is slightly further out and has a more residential feel. If you prefer modern flats, the city centre and Cardiff Bay offer purpose-built student accommodation. Heath is popular with medical and healthcare students as it is close to Heath Park Campus.
High academia and employability rates
Cardiff University is amongst the top 20 universities in the UK for research quality. It offers over 250+ degree programs but the support doesn’t stop once you have left university as Cardiff universities are known for having a high student employability rate. Statistics show that 95% of graduates are in work or further study within six months of graduating, a big helping factor are the strong industry links provided to students through placements (short-term work placements, placement years and internships are highly encouraged.)

Key facts about Cardiff

Student life in Cardiff

Cardiff has one of the best student nightlife scenes in the UK, with most venues located along St Mary Street and Greyfriars Road. Cardiff University Students' Union is a major social hub, hosting regular club nights, society events and live gigs. The Great Hall has welcomed huge artists over the years, while Y Plas is known for themed student nights and big midweek events. Barbara's Bier Haus is also popular among students. It offers live music, bottomless brunches, musical bingo and streams sports events. Other notable venues include Live Lounge and Proud Mary. If you prefer a more alternative vibe, Clwb Ifor Bach is an iconic Welsh venue showcasing indie bands and DJ nights. Cardiff’s food scene is varied and affordable, perfect for student budgets. Cardiff Market (officially Cardiff Central Market) is packed with street food stalls, fresh produce and independent traders. It’s a great lunchtime spot between lectures. There are also plenty of chain bars and restaurants in the city centre which offer student discount, such as Honest Burgers, O’Neills, Coppa Club and Bill’s. Many students also enjoy studying in cafes such as Waterloo Tea and Scaredy Cats. Both have chilled vibes which allow for concentration whilst providing delicious coffee. Beyond nightlife and food, Cardiff has plenty of green space and culture. Cardiff Castle sits right in the city centre and is worth visiting at least once during your degree. Just behind it, Bute Park offers huge green spaces along the River Taff - ideal for picnics, runs or a quiet reading spot. Down in the bay, Wales Millennium Centre hosts theatre productions, concerts and touring shows. You can also walk along the waterfront or visit the Senedd to learn more about Welsh politics. Roath Park, slightly further out, is another peaceful escape with its large lake and botanical gardens.

Cost of living in Cardiff

Wondering how much it costs to live in Cardiff as a student? We’ve broken down typical monthly expenses and compared them to the national average, so you can plan your budget with confidence.

Expense	Cardiff average	National average	Difference
Rent (monthly)	£741	£891.63	£150.6317% less
Utilities (monthly)	£112	£112.25	£0.250% less
Bus pass (monthly)	£60	£61.13	£1.132% less
Groceries	£15.49	£15.40	£0.091% more
Gym pass (monthly)	£28.60	£34.59	£5.9917% less
Takeaway coffee	£3.42	£3.54	£0.123% less

Rent (monthly)
Cardiff average
£741
National average
£891.63
Difference
£150.6317% less
Utilities (monthly)
Cardiff average
£112
National average
£112.25
Difference
£0.250% less
Bus pass (monthly)
Cardiff average
£60
National average
£61.13
Difference
£1.132% less
Groceries
Cardiff average
£15.49
National average
£15.40
Difference
£0.091% more
Gym pass (monthly)
Cardiff average
£28.60
National average
£34.59
Difference
£5.9917% less
Takeaway coffee
Cardiff average
£3.42
National average
£3.54
Difference
£0.123% less

“I loved the central location, I felt fully immersed within Cardiff. Being able to enjoy student environments and local environments.”

ABAmrit BainsCardiff

Universities in Cardiff

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Located in the City of Cardiff, Cardiff Metropolitan University has over 11,000 students.

Read guide →

Cardiff University

Cardiff University is the third-oldest university in Wales and the only Welsh University to be part of the Russel Group.

Read guide →

University of South Wales

The University of Wales is based in three of the country's major centres, Cardiff, Newport and Pontypridd.

Read guide →

Getting around Cardiff

The city is compact and therefore everything is nearby and pedestrian-friendly. However, student transport in Cardiff is highly accessible.

Buses

Many students rely on the Cardiff Bus network, which offers discounted fares for students. Using the Mytravelpass, 16-21 year olds can receive discounts such as £1 singles and £3 day tickets. There are also dedicated university services like the MetRider for Cardiff Met and the Baycar (service 6).

Cycling

If you’d like to exercise but still get to your lectures in time, cycling is a faster option than walking. It is also very safe with extensive cycling paths available.

Walking

Walking is a popular option due to the city being so small, getting to lectures is just a short walk. There are also popular walking routes like the Taff Trail and a wander through Bute Park.

Metrolink

With Cardiff Central (most commonly used) and Queen Street stations both nearby, students can get to anywhere in the UK from the city. Cardiff Bay is just a short train ride away too. Students can also get discounts on train fares with the 16-25 railpass.

Trains

With Cardiff Central (most commonly used) and Queen Street stations both nearby, students can get to anywhere in the UK from the city. Cardiff Bay is just a short train ride away too.

Taxis/car

To ensure that students have a safe trip home, universities have implemented a taxi scheme.To ensure that students have a safe trip home, universities have implemented a taxi scheme.

Life after uni

With plenty of graduate schemes and job opportunities in the city, many students tend to stay in Cardiff once they have graduated.

Graduate job market
Cardiff has one of the strongest graduate job markets in Wales, comparable to major UK cities like Manchester or Edinburgh, which is an impressive feat. With a high proportion (roughly 60%+) staying and working in the Cardiff region after graduating.
Key industries
Cardiff is considered as the administrative capital of Wales, so the public sector is one of the biggest graduate employers. Health and social care is one of the top employment destinations for graduates due to high demand due to NHS staffing need. Cardif
Growing industries
Wales needs 1,000 new STEM professionals annually so they are always on the lookout for data analysts and students with STEM-focused degrees.White collar roles are also rising in numbers here too.