Cardiff University

Visiting your child at Cardiff University usually means flying into London Heathrow (LHR), then continuing to Cardiff by train or coach (about 2-3 hours). Plan the UK visitor visa well ahead.

Getting from LHR to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need a UK Standard Visitor visa - one visa covers England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (there is no separate 'London visa'). It is applied for online and biometrics are given at a VFS Global centre in India. Most are 6-month visit visas; frequent visitors can choose 2-, 5- or 10-year multiple-entry visas. India has a high (around 82%) grant rate.

• One UK visa covers all four nations - no separate visa for London, Scotland or Northern Ireland.
• Apply about 3 months ahead, especially for graduation - slots book out and graduations are fixed dates.
• A complete file with strong home ties, clear funds and a clear purpose drives the high approval rate.
• Frequent visitors should consider the 2/5/10-year multiple-entry visa to avoid re-applying each trip.

Just admitted to Cardiff University? Here's your arrival checklist.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into London Heathrow (LHR) early for the best September fares.
• From London, train (Paddington to Cardiff Central, ~2 hr) or coach to Cardiff.
• Cathays and Roath are the student areas - line up housing before arrival.
• Carry your CAS, passport, proof of funds and confirmation of your visa (eVisa share code) in your cabin bag.

Cardiff, the Welsh capital, is an affordable, compact student city - about GBP 950-1,350 a month all-in sharing and cooking, with some of the UK's more reasonable rents. Most Indian students fly into London Heathrow and continue to Cardiff by train or coach (about 2-3 hours), since direct India-Cardiff flights are limited.

Monthly cost of living in Cardiff (a student estimate)

That's roughly £11,000-15,500 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Cardiff students share in Cathays and Roath right by the university; rents are affordable and the centre is compact.

• Cardiff Bus has student passes; the compact centre is very walkable.
• Cathays and Roath put you next to Cardiff University.
• Fly into Heathrow and take the train/coach (~2-3 hrs) - direct India-Cardiff flights are limited.

Working part-time

On a Student visa you can work up to 20 hours/week during term time (degree level) and full-time during official university vacations. The 20-hour cap is per week, not an average, counts all jobs combined, and you must be a payroll employee - no self-employment, freelancing or gig/delivery work. After graduating you can apply for the Graduate Route: unsponsored post-study work with no job-type or hour limits, currently 2 years (3 for PhD). Note: from 1 January 2027 the Graduate Route drops to 18 months for non-doctoral graduates, so 2026 graduates should apply by 31 December 2026 to get the full two years.

Safety & student support

Cardiff University's areas are generally safe by UK standards; use normal city awareness at night.

• Cardiff University has campus security and student-safety services - save the campus number.
• Main student areas are busy and well-populated.
• A compact, friendly capital; normal awareness in the centre at night.

Indian community & food

Cardiff has a growing South Asian community, with desi grocers across the city.

Indian grocery stores

• Indian/Asian grocers along City Road (the multicultural food strip) carry spices and staples.
• Mainstream Tesco, Asda and Aldi carry world-food aisles.
• City Road is the go-to for ingredients and restaurants.

Student community

• Cardiff University has active Indian/South Asian societies with Diwali and Holi events.
• The city has a Hindu temple and gurdwara.

• A good range of Indian restaurants, especially along City Road.

Cost & living figures for Cardiff last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.