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.

• Cardiff University (Russell Group), Cardiff Met and USW give you a big student population in a small city.
• It is a proper capital but cheaper than London or Edinburgh.
• The Bay, Bute Park and the Welsh coast are all within reach.

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.

• Cathays and Roath (Albany Road, Wellfield Road) are wall-to-wall student houses, cafes and takeaways.
• St Mary Street and the Bay hold the main bars and clubs, while Clwb Ifor Bach is the indie institution.
• The Studcasa Cardiff group is good for meeting people beyond your course.

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.

• Budget roughly GBP 800-1,300 a month.
• Cardiff Market does cheap lunches and Welsh cakes cooked on the griddle.
• Ask the Studcasa Cardiff group about landlords before you sign in the Cathays scrum.

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.

• Cathays is the closest and most student-heavy area.
• Roath is a little nicer and greener, near Roath Park lake.
• Pontcanna and Canton are lovely but pricier and more grown-up.

The centre is flat and walkable, with buses and trains covering the wider city and valleys. Cycle hire fills in the short hops.

• Cardiff Bus and Transport for Wales trains cover the city and valleys.
• OVO Bikes, the city cycle-hire scheme, are handy for short trips.
• Cardiff Central and Queen Street are the two main stations.

Three universities share the city, and some teaching is available through Welsh as well as English. Terms follow the usual UK calendar.

• Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of South Wales are the main hosts.
• Terms run late September to June.

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.

• Exchange under 6 months, often Standard Visitor or Short-term study
• Full year, Student visa with a CAS from your uni
• Irish citizens, no visa needed under the Common Travel Area
• Budget for the immigration health surcharge on longer visas

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.

• Try Welsh cakes, cawl (lamb and leek broth) and a Clark's pie.
• Cardiff Market and the Riverside farmers' market are the food hubs.
• Catch a rugby match at the Principality Stadium, or at least the citywide buzz around it.

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.

• Cathays and Roath for student life.
• Cardiff Bay for modern waterfront flats and nights out.
• Pontcanna for cafes, green space and a quieter vibe.

The Welsh coast and mountains are close, and Bristol sits just over the border. Trains make most trips easy without a car.

• Barry Island beach (Gavin and Stacey country) is about 30-40 minutes by train.
• The Brecon Beacons (Bannau Brycheiniog) are about 1 hour for hikes and waterfalls.
• Bristol is about 50 minutes, and the Gower and Swansea about 1 hour by train.

Cathays fills up fast, so lock in housing early. A few words of Welsh and a raincoat will both serve you well.

• Book accommodation early, as Cathays fills up by spring for the next year.
• Learn a few words of Welsh, such as diolch for thanks.
• Expect a mild, green and rainy winter rather than snow.