The Cardiff (Wales) TL;DR
Legendary uni culture — societies for everything, proper pub life, and cities packed with international students. You'll never run out of gigs, football, or cheap curry nights.
Cardiff is a compact, sporty capital where a rugby weekend takes over the whole city, the Bay and beaches are close, and student life clusters tightly around Cathays and Roath.
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You get a real capital, with a castle, a national stadium and free museums, but at prices below most English cities. The student areas are compact and sociable, and the Welsh coast and countryside are close.
Student life is tightly packed into Cathays and Roath, with nights out on St Mary Street and in the Bay. On a Six Nations Saturday the whole city becomes one enormous party.
Cardiff is a cheaper capital than London or Edinburgh, and the compact student areas keep transport costs low. The Victorian market is your friend for budget meals.
Cathays is the closest and most student-heavy area, with Roath a slightly greener alternative nearby. Book early, because the best houses go by spring.
The centre is flat and walkable, with buses and trains covering the wider city and valleys. Cycle hire fills in the short hops.
Three universities share the city, and some teaching is available through Welsh as well as English. Terms follow the usual UK calendar.
Since Brexit, EU citizens no longer have free movement, so most non-Irish students need permission to study. For an exchange of up to six months you can often come under the Short-term study route or simply as a Standard Visitor, depending on your nationality and course length. For a full year you will need a Student visa sponsored by your host university.
What applies depends entirely on your passport, so confirm with the university and official UK government guidance early. The Student visa needs a CAS reference from your uni, proof of funds and usually the immigration health surcharge, so budget both time and money for it.
Welsh food is worth seeking out, and rugby is close to a religion here. The indoor market is the best place to eat cheaply and soak up the atmosphere.
The city runs from the student terraces of Cathays down to the redeveloped Bay. Each area offers a different balance of price, buzz and calm.
The Welsh coast and mountains are close, and Bristol sits just over the border. Trains make most trips easy without a car.
Cathays fills up fast, so lock in housing early. A few words of Welsh and a raincoat will both serve you well.
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Your complete guide to Cardiff (Wales), plus the #1 WhatsApp community for exchange students there.
Lou
From: Université Toulouse Capitole
To: Cardiff University
2025 • Full year
I have media law, commercial law, intellectual property and financial crime. There are all good. The only thing that i want you to be careful is: normally the…..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
£7000/Year
Where was it located?
Senghennydd Hall, 10min from the city center and 10min from the University
Would you recommend it?
Yes, for one year it’s good. I have access to the dinner place and i have my own shower. The location is really good.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
There are many pubs that are not that expensive (especially for beers). The university has its own pub and nightclub.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
I have media law, commercial law, intellectual property and financial crime. There are all good. The only thing that i want you to be careful is: normally the classes that you will choose are between the first, second and third year. The problem can be the clash of classes in your timetable.
Do you have some tips?
I think yes.
Best trips to do?
London is not that far which is really great. And when we think about UK, we do not really think about Wales which is really great to explore. One of my favourite place was Tenby
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Cardiff (Wales)?
You can do everything by feet. But of course the weather is not that good since September.
Raphaël
From: Kedge Bordeaux
To: Cardiff Business School
2025 • Spring
There isn't much public transport; everything is within walking distance. The cost of living is similar to France, however, accommodations are more expensive.…..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
750
Where was it located?
20min walk from school
Would you recommend it?
Yes, it's very clean, the people are very kind and welcoming, and there are plenty of facilities. However, if you have the option of staying in the student residences located in the city center, that's preferable. This will allow you to meet more Cardiff University students and be right on campus for a truly immersive experience.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
Misfits, Yolo (cardiff uni nightclub), The Taf (Cardiff uni pub), Circuit, live lounge
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
The courses were generally very interesting. Personally, not being a fan of finance, I found the finance courses complicated. A major drawback was the limited number of course choices. I had to choose six courses from a list, and only three of those were at the second-year bachelor's level (the level I was at when I went there), so I had to take three third-year bachelor's level courses.
Do you have some tips?
The campus is cool and the registration process is simple; the university staff are very friendly and welcoming. If I were to do another exchange, I would choose Cardiff without hesitation.
Best trips to do?
There are many places to visit in and around Cardiff; a trip can be planned quickly and without spending a huge amount of money. There are also plenty of opportunities for hiking.
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Cardiff (Wales)?
There isn't much public transport; everything is within walking distance. The cost of living is similar to France, however, accommodations are more expensive. As for the weather, when I went in Cardiff I was lucky and didn't have many rainy or cold days; it was generally sunny. And regarding safety, in six months I never had any problems. I used to walk home from clubs, and there were always students in the streets.
It's easy and tempting to skip classes, but it's difficult to catch up afterward, so you should never start skipping classes. Above all, don't be afraid to approach people and don't be afraid to go there alone; there are plenty of students in the same situation. People are very welcoming. And finally, make the most of every moment; it's an enriching experience both academically and socially. You'll find it hard to leave Cardiff at the end of your exchange.
Mathias
From: kedge marseille
To: Cardiff University
2025 • Fall
At the Cardiff Uni, you have a bar inside the school, with students price You also have tons of bar in the city center I recommend to go see a rugby match at…..
What kind of place was it?
Student Residence
How much was the rent per month?
450-500
Where was it located?
30 minutes by walk or 10-15min bus
Would you recommend it?
Yes, it was similar to the CROUS in France, you have your own room, you share bathroom and kitchen, but it was quite okay. The students with me were nice.
What are some top bars, clubs, or events you recommend?
At the Cardiff Uni, you have a bar inside the school, with students price You also have tons of bar in the city center I recommend to go see a rugby match at the millenium stadium, even if you're not a rugby fan. You can also go the bingo loto, I can remember the exact name, but it's a big place, where you can drink and play bingo with music and stuff.
Which classes do you recommend… or not?
The classes were ok, but I recommend to select those classes early. The scholar system is way different than ours. You have 20/25 hours of class per week, but the amount of work you have to put outside the classroom is huge.
Do you have some tips?
The campus was quite nice, it's in the city center, so you can go do some stuff after class. The registration was really easy, the people of the uni respond pretty quickly. I would go there, if I could yes.
Best trips to do?
As I said earlier, rugby match for the Welsh national team was unbelievable, it's a communion where the people come to share the exact same passion
What do you absolutely need to know to live your best life in Cardiff (Wales)?
Transport can be expensive, and the timeline are not respected, They start partying really early