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Paying for your accommodation

Last updated: 03/06/2026 11:15

Find out how to pay, including payment methods, key dates, and what to do if you're sponsored or receiving a bursary.

If you're staying in Unite accommodation, payment details will be sent to you directly by Unite after your place is confirmed.

How to pay

You can pay your rent by:

  • credit/debit card – in full, either in advance or on arrival
  • direct debit from a UK bank account – in up to 3 instalments on set dates (depending on your contract length). Direct debits must be set up by 1 October. After this date, you’ll need to pay in instalments by credit/debit card

This direct debit only covers your rent. Tuition fees require a separate direct debit mandate.

Setting up a Direct Debit

When you accept your accommodation contract online, you’ll be asked to choose your payment method:

  • select ‘Instalments by Direct Debit’ and enter your UK bank details
  • if someone else is paying, they can enter their details instead
  • if you don’t yet have a UK bank account, select ‘No UK bank account’ and update your details in SIMS once your account  is open

Notice: Once you’ve arrived in Cardiff and collected your student ID card, you’ll be able to open a UK bank account. Full guidance is available on the student intranet.

Exceptions and special arrangements

If your rent will be paid directly to us by a third-party sponsor:

  1. Choose ‘Direct payment by third party sponsor’ as your payment method.
  2. Email a copy of your sponsorship letter (Affidavit) to: residencesfinance@cardiff.ac.uk

We’ll invoice your sponsor after you arrive in Cardiff.

If you’re receiving a monthly NHS bursary you can request to pay your rent in equal monthly instalments:

  1. Select ‘Instalments by direct debit’ and then choose ‘No UK bank account’
  2. Email confirmation of your bursary to: residencesfinance@cardiff.ac.uk

We’ll confirm your monthly payment plan shortly after you arrive.

If neither of the above options applies to you, select ‘Instalments by direct debit’ and then choose ‘No UK bank account’. Then contact Student Rent Income to discuss alternative payment options.

Payment dates (2026/27)

Your rent is due in 3 instalments:

  • 28 October 2026
  • 27 January 2027
  • 14 April 2027

You’ll receive an email a couple of weeks before each date, confirming the amount and date.

Check your Cardiff University email and any other email we have on file (including your spam/junk folder).

Contact us

If you anticipate difficulty paying your rent - for example, due to the late arrival of your student funding or because you receive a monthly NHS Bursary contact Student Rent Income as soon as you're aware of the issue.

Make sure you have your student number to hand whenever you get in touch:

Campus Services Income

If you're having problems with your funding, contact:

Student Funding and Advice team