Thinking about going to uni in Wales but not sure what to expect? Take a gander at our student guide to Wales to find out everything you'll want to know!
Updated: 15 Jul 2026
Wales is a land of great beauty with eight universities to choose from, offering a wide range of locations and experiences. From bustling city streets to sleepy rural towns, sandy beaches to snowy mountain peaks, Wales has it all. Underpinning this great diversity is a strong national identity, spoken in an ancient language which finds its voice through choral traditions and sports stadium anthems, the only Celtic language which is not considered endangered by UNESCO.
Studying in Wales can give you a world-class qualification, and a student experience like no other. Read our guide to find out more.
There are loads of things to do as a student in Wales. If you’re studying in Cardiff then you’ll have all the amenities of a major modern capital city, with an endless programme of events and activities to explore. The city has a lively cultural landscape, with theatre, live music and performing arts scheduled all year round. There are museums and art galleries to visit, and a population of nearly 500,000 people in which to find many new subcultures and scenes.
Swansea and Wrexham are both smaller than Cardiff but support a large student population. Coastal Swansea has access to some of the most beautiful beaches in the UK and lies at the shoulder of the Gower peninsula – the first ever designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). Inland Wrexham has a busy town centre with plenty of pubs, bars and restaurants, and an up-and-coming football club which is making headlines around the world.
Smaller towns such as Pontypridd, Llanelli, Bangor and Aberystwyth each offer unique experiences too. Wherever you study, you’ll find student-oriented activities organised through your university, many of which will take place conveniently on campus or at the students’ union.
NEXT: Check out our guide to the top things to do in Wales
Regardless of which Welsh uni you attend, there’ll be plenty of evening entertainment and late-night antics to be found locally. The students’ union at your uni will be the place to start your night, and from there you’ll typically be able to find a selection of traditional and modern pubs, bars, and restaurants to find some food and drink.
Aberystwyth and Bangor are both inexpensive places to eat out, with average prices for a three-course meals for two coming in at only £55, perfect for a quick dinner date before heading somewhere to party.
You’ll rarely pay over £4 for a pint of beer wherever you go in Wales. The best value is in Wrexham, where the average cost for a pint of beer is £4 on the dot, making it affordable to have night on the tiles.
There are many options for student housing across Wales, however in your first year, you’ll most likely be offered a place at university-owned halls of residence. These are a popular and cost-effective way to kick start your university experience and have multiple benefits.
Firstly, your contract will last only the length of the school year, so you won’t be paying for a room you don’t use, should you decide to spend the summer elsewhere. Secondly, the package deal offered typically includes your room, and all bills, internet and insurance, with on-site laundry and security services, for a weekly price which usually ranges between £120 - £250 depending on the uni, room size and facilities. Rooms are usually self-catered and arranged in apartments of between 2-8 students. Studio apartments are also available.
Compared with the rest of the UK, renting privately in Wales is relatively inexpensive. In Wales the average cost for a city-centre studio flat doesn't go over £900 per month anywhere. Cardiff has the highest monthly average, of £880 for a one-bedroom flat, and £1,600 for a three-bedroom place. In general, you can expect to pay around £550 - £850 for a studio apartment.
Getting around Wales itself can be a challenge. The interior is largely mountainous and most of the transport routes are organised along the coast, although there is no continuous railway connecting north and south Wales, so buses are relied upon in many areas.
The upside is that local public transport is very reasonably priced, especially for buses in these places without very regular trains such as Aberystwyth and Bangor. In these areas, a one-way bus journey costs less than £3.
If you choose to live in a smaller town like Pontypridd or Bangor, consider cycling to and from uni. Wales is famous for its clean air and beautiful scenery, both of which you’ll get to experience while giving yourself free daily exercise and lowering your carbon footprint.
Besides tuition fees, accommodation and transport, the main essential student expense is groceries. In Wales, larger cities like Swansea, Cardiff and Wrexham will have more supermarket options and generally lower prices.
On average, students spend about £146 on groceries per month, depending on where you shop. Most Welsh uni towns have at least one low-cost outlet such as Iceland, Lidl or Costcutter, so if you spend wisely, buy in bulk, and use a loyalty card for points and access to special discounts, then you can bring this cost down considerably.
Your course may require certain expenses which aren’t covered by your tuition fee loan, so make sure you plan ahead. This could include extra books and reading material, architecture equipment, art supplies, printing credits, digital resources or just good old stationery. It’s easy to keep a small fund available, and it might save you a lot of hassle on deadline week!
NEXT: Find out more about the cost of living as a student in Wales
Wales has some of the best natural landscapes in the UK. It’d be unfair to choose a favourite, so we’ll list three national parks that are definitely worth a visit – The Brecon Beacons, The Gower Peninsula and Snowdonia.
Wales has eight universities, offering a comprehensive range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes:
Whatever subject you wish to study, you can be confident of finding somewhere in Wales where you can receive a world-class education combined with a unique university experience. If you have an idea about where you want to apply, but aren’t fully committed then why not book an open day and check it out in person? It’s a great chance to meet future tutors, current students and get a feel for what it’ll be like to live there.
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