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Accommodation
Cardiff and Vale College offers safe and comfortable accommodation options for international students. Living in a supportive environment will help you settle into life in Cardiff and focus on your studies.
Students may stay in either homestay accommodation with a local host family or student residence accommodation. Both options provide a safe place to live while studying at the College.
For students aged 16 to 17, additional safeguarding and welfare arrangements are in place to ensure students are well supported throughout their stay.
Accommodation Fees
Zenith Student Accommodation
Zenith Student Accommodation offers modern self-catered accommodation in Cardiff for students aged 16+.
£9,000 for the 2026/27 academic year
Self-catered student accommodation
Available for students aged under 18 and over 18
On-site guardian support for students aged under 18
Move-in date: 6th September 2026
Move-out date: 10th July 2027
Homestay Accommodation
Homestay accommodation provides students with the opportunity to live with a local host family and experience everyday life in the UK.
£180 per week
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included daily
Suitable for students looking for a supportive family environment during their studies in Cardiff
Moving to a new country is an exciting experience, and planning your finances in advance can help you make the most of your time in Cardiff.
We recommend that all students prepare a personal budget before arriving in the UK. In addition to tuition fees and accommodation costs, you should consider setting aside funds for:
Travel and day trips – Cardiff is well connected to destinations across Wales and the UK. Many students choose to visit places such as London, Bath, Bristol, and the Welsh coast during weekends and holidays.
Leisure activities and social events – Whether you are staying in Zenith Student Accommodation or with a homestay host, you may wish to budget for social activities, entertainment, sports, dining out, and other personal interests.
Additional snacks and personal items – Students staying in homestay accommodation receive three meals per day. However, you may wish to purchase additional snacks, drinks, toiletries, or other personal items during your stay.
Personal expenses – Consider costs such as mobile phone plans, clothing, study materials, laundry, and any other day to day purchases.
Before travelling, we strongly encourage you to create a Pre-Arrival Checklist to ensure you are fully prepared for your journey, accommodation, and life as an international student in Cardiff.
Good financial planning will help you settle into student life quickly and enjoy everything Cardiff and the UK have to offer.
Budgeting for living in Cardiff
Where You Will Live
International students studying at Cardiff and Vale College may stay in one of the following accommodation options.
Homestay Accommodation
Homestay allows students to live with a carefully selected local host family. This option offers a supportive home environment and an opportunity to experience everyday life in the UK.
Homestay accommodation includes:
A private bedroom
Three meals per day (breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal)
Access to bathroom facilities
Laundry facilities
A welcoming and supportive home environment
Living with a host family can be a great way to practise English, learn about British culture and feel part of a family environment while studying abroad.
Student Residence
Some students stay in student residence accommodation, which provides a more independent living environment.
Residence accommodation typically includes:
Private bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms
Shared kitchens and communal areas
Study spaces
Social areas for students to meet and relax
Students living in residence benefit from modern facilities while still receiving support from the College and accommodation staff.
Your wellbeing and safety are very important while you are living away from home.
Regular Accommodation Visits
Your Accommodation Officer will also carry out termly face to face meetings and accommodation visits. These meetings help us understand how you are settling in and whether you need any additional support.
Keep in Contact with CAVC
All students should respond to communication from the International Office throughout the year so we can ensure you are safe and well supported.
Accommodation Support
If you experience any problems that your accommodation provider or host family has not resolved, please contact your on-call guardian (Zenith) or Accommodation Officer (Homestay), who will help you access the appropriate support services.
Student Residence Check-ins
Students aged 16 to 17 who are accommodated by CAVC in Zenith accommodation are supported by an on-call guardian who checks in regularly. These check-ins take place each evening and on weekend mornings. This gives students the opportunity to ask questions, discuss any concerns and receive support.
Accommodation Contacts
If you experience any issues with your accommodation, please contact the appropriate support service.
Students staying in homestay accommodation should speak with their host family first. If further support is needed, the International Team will be happy to help.
Students staying at Zenith Student Accommodation can speak with the residence staff or reception team.
If you are unsure who to contact, the International Team will help direct you to the correct support service.
Curfew for Students Under 18
Students aged 16 to 17 must return to their accommodation by 10:00pm each evening.
This rule helps ensure students remain safe while living and studying away from home. Accommodation providers and College staff may carry out regular check-ins to ensure students are safe and settled.
If you plan to stay away overnight or travel outside Cardiff, permission must be requested in advance.
What is Homestay?
Expectations When Living with a Host Family
Living with a host family means becoming part of their home. Students are expected to:
Be polite and respectful
Communicate openly with their host family
Follow the agreed house routines
Keep their bedroom tidy
Inform their host family if they will be late returning home
These expectations help create a positive and comfortable living environment for everyone.
Travel to College
Homestay accommodation is usually located within approximately 30 minutes of the College using public transport such as buses or trains.
Your host family can help you understand the best way to travel to campus, and most students travel independently to college each day.
House Rules
Homestay accommodation allows you to live with a carefully selected local host family. This is an excellent way to experience everyday life in the UK while practising your English and learning about British culture.
Host families are experienced in welcoming international students and aim to provide a friendly and supportive home environment.
What is Included
Homestay accommodation typically includes:
A private bedroom
Three meals per day (light breakfast, packed lunch and evening meal)
Access to bathroom facilities
Laundry facilities
A supportive family environment
Your host family will help you settle in and support you during your stay.
To ensure a safe and respectful environment, students should follow some basic rules:
Respect the host family’s home and belongings
Follow curfew rules where applicable
Do not smoke or drink alcohol if under 18
Keep noise levels reasonable, especially in the evening
Inform your host family if you will be away from the house
Your host family will explain their house rules when you arrive.
Availability During Holidays
Please note that homestay accommodation is not available during the Christmas holiday period. Students are expected to make alternative accommodation arrangements during this time.
Students who wish to retain their homestay room and leave their belongings in place over the Christmas holiday may do so by paying a 50% room holding fee for the period of absence.
For all other holiday periods, planned absences and trips away from the homestay remain chargeable at the full accommodation rate, as the room is reserved exclusively for the student.
To ensure appropriate safeguarding and communication, all holiday requests and notifications of absence must be submitted by a parent or guardian via email. This requirement applies to all students, including those who have reached the age of 18 during their studies.
Homestay Boundaries and Expectations
Our homestay programme is designed to provide students with a safe, welcoming, and supportive home environment. To help maintain a positive experience for both students and hosts, all participants are expected to respect the following boundaries and expectations:
Treat your host family, their home, and other household members with respect at all times.
Follow any reasonable household rules explained by your host family, including arrangements relating to meals, visitors, quiet hours, and use of shared spaces.
Communicate in advance if you expect to be late returning home or if you will be absent from the homestay.
Keep your room tidy and maintain appropriate standards of cleanliness in shared areas.
Respect the privacy of your host family and other residents.
For safeguarding reasons, students are not permitted to invite guests under the age of 18 into the homestay unless prior approval has been given by the host family.
All host families participating in the programme are required to sign and adhere to the Cardiff and Vale College Homestay Agreement, ensuring that accommodation standards, safeguarding requirements, and student welfare expectations are maintained throughout the placement.
Zenith Student Residence
Zenith Student Accommodation is a modern student residence located in the centre of Cardiff. It provides high-quality accommodation and social spaces designed specifically for students.
The residence is approximately 15 minutes’ walk from Cardiff and Vale College’s City Centre Campus, making it convenient for travelling to class.
Facilities
Zenith offers modern student accommodation with a range of facilities including:
En-suite bedrooms
Study areas
High-speed Wi-Fi
Social and communal spaces
Gym and wellness room
Cinema and entertainment areas
Rooftop terrace with views across Cardiff
These facilities help create a comfortable and social living environment for students.
Check-in Information
Students will receive check-in instructions before arrival.
Residence staff at Zenith will be available to support students when they arrive and help them settle into their rooms.
If airport transfers have been arranged through the College, support will also be available during your journey to the accommodation.
What to Bring
Students staying at Zenith should bring some personal items, including:
•Bedding
•Towels and toiletries
•UK plug adapters
•Weather-appropriate clothing
•Kitchen items if you plan to cook
•Any required medication
Some students choose to order bedding and living items online before arrival so that they are delivered to the accommodation. This can be booked online via UniKitOut - #1 Student Pack supplier Trusted by over 250 Universities.
Zenith Additional Costs
Students staying in Zenith Student Accommodation should budget for day to day living expenses in addition to their accommodation fees.
Please note that students are responsible for the cost of washing and drying their clothes using the on site laundry facilities. Laundry charges are not included within the accommodation fee and should be considered when planning your budget.
Students may also wish to budget for personal items, social activities, local travel, and any additional food or refreshments they choose to purchase during their stay.
Zenith Accommodation Support and Welfare
Cardiff and Vale College works closely with Zenith Student Accommodation to ensure students are safe, supported, and settling well into their accommodation experience.
As part of this support, College staff carry out regular visits to Zenith Student Accommodation throughout the academic year. These visits provide students with an opportunity to discuss any concerns, ask questions, and access additional welfare and pastoral support where required.
To help maintain a safe, comfortable, and well presented living environment, room inspections are conducted on a termly basis. Students will be notified of inspections in advance and are expected to keep their accommodation clean, tidy, and in good condition.
Our accommodation and student support teams are available throughout the year to assist students with accommodation related queries and to help ensure a positive living experience whilst studying at Cardiff and Vale College.
Under 18 Students and Guests at Zenith
The safety and wellbeing of all residents is a priority within Zenith Student Accommodation. Additional rules apply to students under the age of 18.
Overnight guests are not permitted for students under the age of 18.
Communal gatherings, parties, or group social events should not take place in student bedrooms.
All visitors must be signed in and signed out at reception in accordance with accommodation procedures.
Alcohol must not be supplied to, consumed by, or stored for any student under the age of 18.
Students are expected to follow all accommodation policies and UK laws relating to safeguarding, visitor management, and the consumption of alcohol.
Accommodation Deposit
To secure a place in Zenith Student Accommodation, the accommodation deposit must be paid before arrival.
Prior to moving into the accommodation, both the student and their parent or guardian (where applicable) will be required to sign the Zenith Accommodation Agreement. This agreement outlines the rights and responsibilities of residents and confirms receipt of the accommodation deposit.
The deposit is refundable at the end of the accommodation period following a final room inspection, provided that:
The room is left in an acceptable condition.
No damage has occurred beyond normal wear and tear.
There are no outstanding accommodation charges or other fees owed.
Any deductions will be assessed in accordance with the terms of the Zenith Accommodation Agreement.
Security & Support at Zenith
Zenith provides a safe and secure environment for students.
Safety features include:
Secure building access
On-site staff support
CCTV and security systems
Supervision arrangements for students aged 16 and 17
The International Team and residence staff work together to ensure students feel safe, comfortable and supported during their stay.
If a Student Misses Curfew (Under 18)
Students aged 16 or 17 are required to follow accommodation rules and curfew arrangements designed to help ensure their safety while studying in Cardiff.
The standard curfew for under-18 students is 10:00pm.
Students may be required to complete regular check-ins with designated staff. These check-ins help the College ensure that students are safe and accounted for.
If a Student Does Not Return by Curfew
If a student misses their curfew or does not attend a required check-in, the College and accommodation staff will follow a safeguarding procedure to ensure the student’s safety.
This may include:
1. Checking whether the student has informed anyone of a delay or change of plans
2. Attempting to contact the student directly
3. Contacting accommodation staff or other relevant individuals who may have information about the student’s whereabouts
4. Allowing a short period of time for the student to respond or return safely
If the College is unable to confirm the student’s safety and there are concerns for their wellbeing, the situation may be escalated and the police may be contacted to help locate the student.
These procedures are in place to ensure that students are safe and that appropriate action is taken if a student cannot be located.
Planned Absences
If a student expects to be away from their accommodation during curfew or check-in times, this must be approved in advance by a parent or guardian.
Parents or guardians must provide at least 7 days’ notice in writing by emailing:
This allows the International and safeguarding Teams to review the request and ensure appropriate safeguarding arrangements are in place.
Under 18 Student Guidance at Zenith
Delays Returning to Accommodation
If you are going to be late returning to Zenith after your agreed check-in or curfew time, you must:
Contact the House On-Call Guardian using the Zenith Student Check-In platform as soon as possible.
Ensure that your parent or legal guardian emails the House On-Call Guardian to explain the reason for the delay.
Unauthorised late returns may be followed up by the College as part of our safeguarding procedures.
Emergencies
If you are involved in an emergency:
If immediate assistance is required, call 999.
Tell the emergency services that you are an international student studying at Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC).
Provide the emergency services with your parent or legal guardian's contact details if requested.
Update the House On-Call Guardian through the Zenith Student Check-In platform as soon as it is safe to do so.
If you are unable to contact the House On-Call Guardian yourself, your parent or legal guardian should telephone the House On-Call Guardian as soon as possible. The House On-Call Guardian will then advise on any further steps required.
Emergency Numbers
999 – Police, Fire or Ambulance (life-threatening emergencies)
111 – NHS urgent medical advice (non-emergency)
If you are under 18 and experience a serious illness or injury, you should call 999 immediately unless you can safely travel to your nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) department.
Accommodation Support
Zenith Student Accommodation provides:
24-hour reception and security
On-site support staff available at all times
Assistance with accommodation-related emergencies
If you need support outside College hours, you should contact the House On-Call Guardian using the Zenith Student Check-In platform.
College Emergency Contact
If you need to contact Cardiff and Vale College in an emergency, the College emergency telephone number is printed on the back of your student ID card:
Emergency Contact:+44 (0)29 2025 0251
Our priority is to ensure your safety and wellbeing throughout your time studying and living in Cardiff. If you are ever unsure what to do, contact the House On-Call Guardian or a member of the International Team as soon as possible.
