Applying for Residences

Disability/Medical Information

If you have a disability/medical condition which needs to be taken into account in the allocation of your residences, or of which your Residences Manager should be aware, you should note this on your online application. You should indicate such requirements on your online application even if they would not apply if you were allocated a room in one of the residences you have chosen. Only information provided at the time of the application, along with written confirmation from a medical practitioner, will be taken into account by the Residences Office in the allocation process. All disability/medical information provided will be treated confidentially and only used for the purpose stated above.

If you have been in contact with the Disability Advisor in relation to special requirements due to a disability/medical condition, you must still include information and supporting medical evidence on your online application.

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Accepting an offer to study on firm basis

Once you are made an offer to study you will be sent details of how to apply for a place in University residences online. This process starts in late February/early March.  

The date you submit your online application is taken into account when allocating residences so we advise you to complete your online application as soon as possible. You will be allocated a place in University residences before students who come to Cardiff as an insurance or clearing applicant.

To ensure you are allocated a room you must submit your online application by Friday 9 September 2011 and receive an unconditional offer to study by Friday 16 September 2011. If your application is received after Friday 9 September 2011 or your offer to study is made unconditional after Friday 16 September 2011 we will still do our best to find you a place in University residences, however, there may be some delay whilst we identify available vacancies.

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Accepting an offer to study on an insurance basis

At the moment, there is no need to do anything. If you do decide to come to Cardiff at a later date, you will be sent details of how to apply for a place in University residences online in August/September.

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Applicants made a change of course offer

If you do not achieve the grades required for your first choice of course at Cardiff and are offered an alternative course of study or if you decide to change your course, you will retain the guarantee of University residences. Your application will be processed after those who met or exceeded the required grades, but before late or clearing applicants.           

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Late applicants or those accepting an offer to study through Clearing

If you apply outside of the normal UCAS admissions cycle we are not able to guarantee you a place in University residences. Once you are made an offer to study, you will be sent details of how to apply for a place online. We will make every effort to find you suitable accommodation, either in University residences or in the private sector. If we are unable to assist you in finding accommodation immediately, temporary hotel accommodation will be made available (for a limited period during September / October) for which a nominal charge will be made. As a guide the charge for session 2010/2011 was £15 per night.

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Full Session ERASMUS students (September to June)

The Residences Office guarantees an offer of a single occupancy place in University residences to visiting European students who are studying at Cardiff University for the full academic year. Complete your online application now.

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Part Session ERASMUS students (Autumn or Spring Semester only)

Unfortunately, the Residences Office cannot guarantee part session students a place in University residences, however, once full year students have been allocated a room there may be a limited number of places available in University residences.

Students arriving in September

We are unlikely to know if we can offer you a place in University residences until late September.  You will receive further information regarding your arrival in Cardiff from the International Office. 

Students arriving after September

We are more likely to be able to offer you a place in University residences if you arrive after the first week in October as vacancies generally become available after this time. You should contact the Residences Office prior to your arrival in Cardiff to check availability. If we are unable to offer you a place in University residences on your arrival in Cardiff we will advise you to look for private accommodation.

Private Sector Accommodation

There is an abundance of accommodation in Cardiff that is let out by private landlords to students. However, some landlords may be reluctant to offer short-term tenancy agreements so it is important to research carefully. If you do decide to look for private accommodation, there is plenty of assistance available. The Residences Office maintains regularly updated lists of flats and shared houses to aid your search. These lists are available to collect from the Students’ Union Advice Centre and the International Office. Alternatively, please email your student number and course of study, requesting a Short Term Let List to residences@cardiff.ac.uk

The Student Advisory Service can also help you with any private accommodation concerns and can give you advice on what to consider when thinking about renting private accommodation. It may also be a good idea to come to Cardiff during the summer before your period of study commences to look for suitable accommodation. If you choose to do this then you can take advantage of the Student Summer Residences Service provided by the Residences Office. To make a booking for Summer Residences please email summer@cardiff.ac.uk

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Applicants undertaking a preliminary year

Students who undertake a preliminary year of study before commencing their degree course, will be offered the guarantee of residence for the year in which the preliminary study takes place