Cardiff student accommodation prices: quick answer
Quick answer: For 2026/27, Cardiff students can find university-managed shared-bathroom rooms from about £132 to £144 per week, university en-suite rooms around £162 to £167 per week depending on contract length, and private PBSA en-suites from about £155 per week in current examples. Private studios commonly start around £194 per week and can rise above £200 depending on the building, room size and tenancy length.
The cheapest weekly rate is not always the cheapest contract. Students should compare the full tenancy value, contract length, included bills, laundry, university commute and payment schedule before booking.
Browse student accommodation in Cardiff to compare current options, then verify the final room and price before paying.
How this Cardiff price guide was researched
This guide combines 2026/27 prices from Cardiff University and current private PBSA prices displayed by Unite Students. Cardiff University's living-cost calculator is used to compare university halls with a typical four-bedroom private house.
Prices and policies were checked on 25 July 2026. Accommodation prices, room availability and promotional offers can change, so every student should confirm the final contract before booking.
Important: Provider cashback, free-laundry campaigns and other temporary promotions are not treated as the normal weekly rent in this article.
How much does student accommodation in Cardiff cost in 2026/27?
Cardiff has a broad price range because the market includes university halls, private shared houses and modern PBSA. Current evidence suggests four useful budget bands.
Around £130 to £150 per week
This is the strongest budget band for shared-bathroom university rooms and selected lower-cost accommodation. Cardiff University's small shared-bathroom rooms in Student Houses are £5,272.40 over 40 weeks, equivalent to £131.81 per week. Standard shared-bathroom rooms are £5,745.60 over 40 weeks, or £143.64 per week.
Around £150 to £175 per week
This range includes many entry-level en-suite options. Unite Students currently lists Ty Pont Haearn en-suite rooms from £155 per week for 2026/27. Cardiff University en-suite rooms at University Hall, Colum Hall and Talybont South are £6,694.80 over 40 weeks, equivalent to £167.37 per week.
Around £175 to £200 per week
This band provides a wider choice of private en-suite rooms and some studios. The Bakery has a current en-suite example at £175 per week, Adam Street Gardens starts from £173 for en-suites, and its studios start from £194 per week.
Above £200 per week
Premium studios, larger rooms and one-bedroom flats often sit above £200. Cardiff University's one-bedroom flat at University Hall costs £8,752.80 over 40 weeks, equivalent to £218.82 per week.
Cardiff University accommodation prices for 2026/27
Cardiff University publishes total contract costs, which makes it easier to compare like for like.
- Student Houses small shared-bathroom room: £5,272.40 over 40 weeks, about £131.81 per week.
- Student Houses standard shared-bathroom room: £5,745.60 over 40 weeks, about £143.64 per week.
- University Hall shared-bathroom room: £5,745.60 over 40 weeks, about £143.64 per week.
- University Hall en-suite room: £6,694.80 over 40 weeks, about £167.37 per week.
- University Hall studio: £7,644 over 40 weeks, about £191.10 per week.
- University Hall one-bedroom flat: £8,752.80 over 40 weeks, about £218.82 per week.
- Talybont South en-suite: £6,694.80 over 40 weeks, about £167.37 per week.
- Talybont South en-suite on a 39-week contract: £6,479.61, about £166.14 per week.
Utilities and the university-provided internet network are included in these university examples. Laundry is generally pay as you go, and some contents insurance is included.
Private PBSA prices in Cardiff
Private PBSA can cost more than a shared university room but often includes a private bathroom, social spaces, security and bills.
Ty Pont Haearn
Unite Students currently lists 2026/27 en-suite rooms from £155 per week. A current 44-week medium standard double en-suite runs from 18 September 2026 to 23 July 2027 at £155 per week, with bills included and no deposit.
The Bakery
The Bakery currently starts from £175 per week for a 44-week en-suite contract. Bills are included and the building is around a ten-minute walk from Cardiff city centre and Cardiff Central station.
Adam Street Gardens
Current 2026/27 pricing starts from £173 per week for en-suite rooms and £194 per week for studios. A larger en-suite is currently shown at £181 for 44 weeks or £176 for 51 weeks. That comparison shows why students should calculate total rent rather than assuming the lower weekly rate creates the lower total cost.
Cardiff properties to compare on BookMyAcco
BookMyAcco currently surfaces Cardiff properties including Severn Point, Ty Pont Haearn, Blackweir Lodge, Cambrian Point, Adam Street Gardens, West Wing, Zenith, The Fitzalan, Bridge Street Exchange and Park Place.
- Severn Point — bills-included student accommodation positioned between Cardiff University, Cardiff Met and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
- Ty Pont Haearn — city-centre en-suite accommodation with current direct-provider pricing from £155 per week.
- Blackweir Lodge — a student option in the popular Blackweir area.
- Adam Street Gardens — en-suite rooms and studios close to the city centre.
Use BookMyAcco for discovery and comparison, but confirm the live room price and dates before making a payment.
Private house vs university halls: which is cheaper in Cardiff?
Cardiff University's 2026/27 living-cost calculator estimates a four-bedroom private shared house at £500 per month in rent, excluding bills. It separately estimates utilities, water and broadband at £88 per month. That gives an indicative housing cost of £588 per month before food, laundry and other living expenses.
For an undergraduate in an en-suite Talybont North room, the calculator uses £6,694.80 for a 40-week university contract with bills included.
A private house can have a lower headline rent, but a fair comparison must include energy, water, broadband, contract length, furniture, transport and deposit requirements.
Weekly rent vs total contract value
Total accommodation cost = weekly rent × contract weeks + excluded bills + laundry + deposit or permitted upfront payments + regular transport costs
Consider Adam Street Gardens. A larger en-suite is currently £181 per week for 44 weeks, which equals £7,964 in rent. The 51-week option is cheaper per week at £176 but totals £8,976. The longer tenancy therefore costs £1,012 more despite the lower weekly rate.
Choose the contract that matches your academic calendar and summer plans rather than choosing on weekly price alone.
Cardiff prices by room type
Shared-bathroom room
Current university examples begin around £131.81 per week and are generally the best option for students prioritising cost.
En-suite room
Plan for roughly £155 to £185 per week for many current entry-level and mid-range examples. University en-suites are around £167 per week on common 40-week contracts.
Studio
Current studio examples begin around £191 to £194 per week. Premium buildings or larger studios may cost more.
One-bedroom flat
Expect a higher budget. Cardiff University's University Hall one-bedroom example works out at roughly £219 per week over 40 weeks.
Best Cardiff student areas by budget and university access
Cathays
Cathays is one of Cardiff's core student neighbourhoods and is convenient for many Cardiff University buildings. Shared houses can offer lower headline rent than PBSA, but students should include bills and longer private contracts in the comparison.
Blackweir and Talybont
This area is popular with Cardiff University students and offers university halls and private options. It suits students who prioritise access to campus and large student communities.
City centre
City-centre accommodation works well for students who want nightlife, retail and Cardiff Central access. Ty Pont Haearn, The Bakery and Adam Street Gardens provide relevant private examples, but city-centre convenience can carry a higher price.
Roath
Roath can suit students looking for private houses and a residential environment close to both central Cardiff and university areas. Compare the exact door-to-door route before booking.
Are bills included in Cardiff student accommodation?
Cardiff University includes utilities and university internet in the residence prices used in this guide. Unite Students includes heating, water, electricity and Wi-Fi in the current Cardiff properties reviewed here.
Students should still check laundry, parking, TV licence responsibility, contents insurance, cleaning and any fair-usage conditions.
Cardiff September 2026 booking checklist
- Confirm your university and exact campus.
- Set a weekly budget and a maximum total contract value.
- Choose acceptable room types.
- Compare university halls, PBSA and private housing.
- Check contract length and summer dates.
- Confirm which bills are included.
- Calculate the complete tenancy value.
- Check deposit, guarantor and instalment requirements.
- Read cancellation and No Place No Pay or No Visa No Pay terms where offered.
- Pay only through a verified provider channel.
Common Cardiff accommodation price mistakes
- Comparing a 39-week contract with a 51-week contract using only weekly rent
- Assuming a private house includes utilities
- Choosing a studio when an en-suite fits the budget better
- Ignoring laundry and transport costs
- Using an old marketplace price instead of the current provider rate
- Subtracting a temporary promotion from the normal rent
- Booking before checking the correct campus commute
BookMyAcco expert recommendation
Students on a strict Cardiff budget should begin with shared-bathroom university rooms or private shared housing and compare the full contract cost. Students wanting a private bathroom should usually budget around £155 to £185 per week. Students wanting a private kitchen should plan for around £190 per week or more.
The right choice depends on total cost, privacy, campus commute and contract length, not the lowest weekly headline figure.