Residences for Study Abroad Students
A Guarantee of Accommodation
For the majority of students, travelling abroad to study presents a significant personal challenge. Settling in and making new friends are vital first steps at the start of a study period in a new country. Living in University Residences provides an ideal opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds, studying a wide range of subjects.
The University guarantees a single occupancy place in University Residences to all Study Abroad students who apply during the normal admissions cycle.
Cost of Accommodation
In a survey by the NUS (National Union of Students) published in May 2000 it was found that out of all the universities in the UK, Cardiff has the cheapest University accommodation. We estimate that to cover one semester of accommodation and living expenses you will need £2,770. This cost includes accommodation, food, books, clothing, local phone calls, laundry and going out.
When to apply for accommodation
Shortly after you have been made an offer to study at Cardiff University you will be sent an e-mail asking you to apply for a place in University residences online. If you have already received an offer you can apply online right now through the Residences website.
It is important to note that you will not be allocated accommodation until you have accepted an unconditional offer to study; however, getting your application in as soon as possible means you are more likely to be allocated one of your first choices.
In late July/August/September, you will receive an email notifying you that your application has been processed and advising you to view and accept your Offer of Residence online. You must accept your online Offer of Residence within 7 days or your offer will expire and the room will be allocated to another student. Therefore it is important for you to check you email account during this period.
The online Offer of Residence consists of the following information:
- Residences Agreement
- Residential Terms & Conditions
- Arrival Information
- House Rules (Aberdare Hall only)
Once you have accepted your online Offer of Residence your room will be reserved for you. You will receive an email confirming this.
You will be offered a place in residences for a set residential period and once you accept your online Offer of Residence, you become liable for the residences fees and associated charges for the residential period stated on your Residences Agreement.
Self-catered/Catered Halls of Residence
In self-catered accommodation students share a kitchen with anything from 4 to 8 other students and they are able to cook for themselves using facilities provided. Catered accommodation at University Hall (this is the name of one of our University Halls of Residence) provides during term-time, breakfast and three-course evening meals, Monday to Friday, while a traditional lunch is provided on Sundays. Vegetarian meals are always available. Catered accommodation rooms also share small kitchens where hot drinks and snacks can be made. The female-only Aberdare Hall also provides catered accommodation, with breakfast and dinner daily, with some variation at weekends.
Mixed Halls of Residence
All of our halls, like most other UK universities, are mixed; the only exception to this is Aberdare Hall, which is mainly for female undergraduate students. Our mixed halls cater for students who share with students of both sexes and from all around the world, although you can express a preference for a male or female-only flat within our mixed Halls of Residence. If you have an en-suite bathroom facility this means you will have sole use of a shower, toilet and wash basin.
Single Sex Accommodation
Aberdare Hall is available only to female undergraduates, with a small number of rooms available for female postgraduates.
Shared Kitchens
In halls which are self-catered, you will share your kitchen with the other students in your flat, anywhere between 4 and 8 other people. There are always shops nearby where you can buy food, and places where you can eat out should you need a break from your own cooking! This is a good way to meet people as you share cooking tips and even cook for each other, making your meals social occasions if you wish.
Choosing the best accommodation for you
With a wide variety of Halls of Residence, there is plenty of variety: whether you are married; wanting to cook for yourself or have meals provided; if you want to live with members of your own sex only; if you prefer city or suburban life; or if you want access to some of the best sporting facilities in the UK university system - there is something to suit everyone. You should make a list of what is important to you, and read through the Residences Guide carefully in order to see where you think you would most like to live.
Paying for your Accommodation
Full details on how to pay for your accommodation can be found on our paying your accommodation fees webpage.
Private Accommodation
There is an abundance of accommodation in Cardiff that is let out by private landlords to students. Such accommodation consists of shared houses and flats. Occasionally you may find a room in a house that you would share with the landlord/lady. The weekly cost of a room in a shared house varies depending on the size, location, facilities and if any bills are included. For this type of accommodation you are likely to have to pay rent during your vacations whether you are there or not, so make sure to allow for this in your budget.
Additional Expenses in Private Accommodation
Unlike University accommodation, where most bills are included, you will find that when you rent private accommodation you may have to pay for things like:
- A Bond (this is normally equivalent to one month's rent and will be returned to you after you leave the property, providing that no damage has been done)
- Water
- Electricity
- Gas
- Television licence
- Council Tax (if you share with anyone who is not a student)
- Rent during your vacations, or a summer retainer
- Telephone rental and bills
- Rent during the summer; most student properties require that you do this even if you are not resident for this time, in order to 'reserve' your property for the coming academic year.
Help finding private accommodation
There is plenty of assistance if you do decide to look for private accommodation. The Residences Office keeps regularly updated lists of private sector accommodation and the Students' Union Advice Centre can give you advice about what to look out for and consider. We would advise that if you do opt for private accommodation, you arrange to stay in Bed and Breakfast accommodation for a week before your course starts, so that you have plenty of time to find something suitable for you. During the summer, until the 10th of September, rooms in our University Halls of Residence are available at low prices. This is a good option for those students who are looking for private accommodation. To find out if accommodation is available on the days you want to stay please contact: vacation@cf.ac.uk
Residences Office
PO Box 533
Southgate House
Bevan Place
Maindy
Cardiff
CF14 3XZ
Telephone: +44 (0)29 2087 4849
Email: residences@cf.ac.uk
Advice and Representation Centre
Third Floor, Students' Union
Cardiff University Students' Union
Park Place
Cardiff
CF10 3QN
Telephone: +44 (0)29 2078 1492
Email: advice@cf.ac.uk
Signing a contract for private accommodation
Tenancy agreements
Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement - this means that you have security of tenure during the term of your lease providing you pay the rent. This is for individuals and means that if your flatmates move out you will not be liable to pay their rent.
Before signing your contract
Agree a written inventory with your landlord; this should include a list of all the items in the house as well as the state of repair of the property and furniture etc.
- Try to negotiate a lower rate (usually half) if you have to pay rent during the summer when you do not occupy the house
- Find out exactly how much the rent is, how it will be collected and if there are any extras.
- Find out exactly what is included in your rent; if water, gas, electricity and phone are all in addition to the rent.
- Find out how much the deposit/bond is. Pay by cheque and get a written receipt.
- Ask what the procedure will be if anything needs replacing or repairing. Who do you contact and who will pay for it?
- Can you put pictures up on the walls etc?
- Do you have to take out your own contents insurance?
- How much notice do you have to give should you wish to leave at any time?
- How long is the lease for?
Accommodation for Families
This type of accommodation is very limited in Cardiff. It is essential that you have arranged accommodation for your family before bringing them to Cardiff. A small number of University bedsitters are available for couples without children, in their first year of study and a small number of 1 and 2 bedroom flats are available for families, for students in their first year of study. All students living in such accommodation are expected to seek alternative accommodation for subsequent years in Cardiff, as the period of residence can not be extended beyond the first year.
Private Family Accommodation
Often such accommodation is booked up even before the end of the previous academic year. Although the Residences Office will give you as much help as it can, it may take you some time and expense before you can find suitable family accommodation at a price that you can afford. If you are going to look for family accommodation we recommend that you arrange to come to Cardiff, on your own, in late August / early September. You should stay in bed and breakfast accommodation, or arrange to stay in University-owned accommodation, for about a week, and try to find accommodation before your family comes to join you. The Residences Office can also provide you with lists of private sector accommodation for you to try.
Bed and Breakfast Accommodation - if you are visiting
If you are planning a visit to Cardiff, or if you are staying in Cardiff for a short while before finding permanent accommodation you may want to stay in hotel or bed and breakfast accommodation. You will find the following webpage useful click here .
Occasionally there may also be accommodation available at one of our University Halls of Residence. To find out if this is available for the period that you would like to stay please contact: residences@cf.ac.uk
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact The International Development Division who will be happy to help
