Residences

For many of you, going to University will mean living away from home for the first time. The University realises that settling in quickly and making new friends, is an important first step of your university life. The advice to most first-year undergraduate students is that they should live in University residences, whether it be a Student House or Hall of Residence.

University residences provide an opportunity to meet and get to know students from a variety of backgrounds, studying a range of different subjects. It is sure that almost anyone with experience of student life at university will tell you that your first friends at university are frequently made among those you meet in your residences within your first couple of days, if not hours, of arrival. After all, you are not the only new arrival keen to find friends!

A Guarantee of Accommodation

For the majority of international students, travelling abroad to study presents a significant personal challenge. Settling in and making new friends are vital first steps at the start of university life in a new country. Most students find that living in University Residences during their first year makes the whole process of adjusting to the demands, challenges and opportunities of student life that much easier. Living in University Residences also 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 first year international students who apply during the normal admissions cycle. It should be noted that this guarantee does not extend to the very small number of students who join through the clearing and RPA processes, although every attempt is made to accommodate them. Cardiff also guarantees a single occupancy place in University Residences to overseas returning students as long as you apply through the overseas returner's process.

When to apply for accommodation

Shortly after you have been made an offer to study at Cardiff University you will be sent a Residences Guide and an Accommodation Request Form. This contains full details of all of the University accommodation and details of the fees. You can complete and return the Accommodation Request Form as soon as you receive it. 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. Offers of accommodation will be sent out in August / September.

Self-catered/Catered Halls of Residence

Accommodation is provided for two different periods of time:

- The full year or;
- Term time, the Christmas and Easter vacations (from September until the end of June the following year).

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 the 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 the halls, like most other UK universities, are mixed; the only exception to this is Aberdare Hall, which is mainly for female undergraduate students. The 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 the 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.

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. It 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.