Choosing the right city is as important as choosing a home for student in UK. After all, the right university brings new experiences, opportunities, and much more. In the debate of comparing UK cities, you all must have heard the name of Cardiff and Glasgow right? As we all know both the cities are very popular when it comes to studies. And, when it comes to Cardiff vs Glasgow, there is so much to explore such as Cardiff University, the University of Glasgow, and more. If you are someone who is confused which city they should go to for their higher education then this blog is just for you.

In this particular blog, we are continuing our series of comparing UK cities. For today, we have on our agenda is Cardiff vs Glasgow. From student accommodation and cost of living, to lifestyle, we are going to cover every aspect. So, keep on reading to find what awaits in beautiful cities like Glasgow and Cardiff!

Cardiff vs Glasgow: How to Find Student Accommodation in These Cities?

The first and foremost step for any student in UK is finding the right student accommodation. Here are some pointers you should keep in mind when finding the student accommodation:

• Budget: The first thing is to make a budget and be clear how much you are willing to spend. This is where some of you need to follow simple budgeting tips as rent is the most important factor.
• Type of Student Accommodation: When you go on the hunt of finding student housing you will see that there are many types of home for students available. Some examples for those are university halls, private halls, student flats, studios, ensuite rooms, etc. so, choose accordingly.
• Location and Facilities: One of the most important factors is the distance from the university and try to search for a house as close as it can be to the university. Travelling can really add more to your expenses. Shops, supermarkets, nightlife, etc shouldn’t be too far. Also, the student room you are going to rent has facilities and amenities like gym, 24/7 security, common area, etc.
• Lease / Contract Details: The lease/contract can be on a term basis like full academic year which is 10-12 months, what is included in rent is mentioned in the contract, deposit amount and refund policy is mentioned, and many other important details are also mentioned in the contract.
• Timings: You should start looking for student accommodation early as good places get taken very quickly and university guaranteed halls also have a deadline. For private halls listings often open months ahead of term so be quick.

Cardiff vs Glasgow: Cost of Living

Another important question is the cost of living. Every city of UK has a different cost of living like London has the highest cost of living. To make you understand the difference between the cost of living in both the cities, here is a table:

As we can see Glasgow is slightly more expensive than Cardiff. However, as one of the tips for international students in UK, take our word that the difference is not that much. This simply means, you can consider it almost the same.

Cardiff vs Glasgow: Academic Opportunities

Cardiff

• Cardiff is home to the prestigious Cardiff University that is known globally for research and teaching excellence.
• The university has strong programs in journalism, business, and healthcare which attracts thousands of students every year who are interested in this field.
• The size of class is small and provides personalised attention in many courses.

Glasgow

• The city of Glasgow hosts the University of Glasgow which is one of the top-ranked universities in the world and stands tall in the list of popular universities.
• The university is excellent for sciences, engineering, arts, and humanities which attracts thousands of students interested in this course.
• The city sees a larger student population creating a more competitive yet stimulating academic environment.

Cardiff vs Glasgow: Nightlife and Entertainment

Cardiff

• The city is famous for its pubs, bars, and live music which makes the city very lively and joyful.
• The city offers a compact nightlife area which makes it easy to hop venue to venue.
• The best part is the city’s night;ife is more affordable than Glasgow which is ideal for students who are on a budget.

Glasgow

• Glasgow offers one of UK’s best nightlife scenes with world-famous clubs and music venues.
• The city also has a large variety of entertainment options, from art galleries to comedy clubs the city has everything.
• The city is perfect for students who thrive on cultural experience.

Cardiff vs Glasgow: Transport and Connectivity

Cardiff

• Cardiff city is relatively smaller which means you can walk for cycle to most student housing and campuses.
• Local buses and trains connect students to nearby towns and cities.
• Cardiff airport provides access to international destinations as well.

Glasgow

• The city of Glasgow has an extensive transport system including buses, trains, and the subway, but only in Scotland.
• You can easily access Edinburgh and the Highlands because of the connectivity.
• Glasgow International Airport connects students globally.

Cardiff vs Glasgow: Job Opportunities for Students

Cardiff

• The industries are growing in Cardiff especially in media, business, and healthcare which means there are more job opportunities.
• You can find part-time jobs as a student and they are pretty easy to find, especially in cafes, shops, and local businesses.

Glasgow

• Scotland has a large economy with opportunities in finance, technology, and creative industries which opens the door for many opportunities.
• You can find more job variety in Glasgow, but the competition is higher as well. So, you have to work hard to get jobs.

Conclusion

If you are someone who was stuck in the Cardiff vs Glasgow question then we believe we pretty much solved it for you and now the decision is on you to which city to choose. Deciding between which city to go depends on your personality and preference, Cardiff is cozy, budget-friendly, and community driven, making it feel like home for those who seek comfort with affordability. On the other hand Glasgow is buzzing, cultural, and offering students a chance to experience a world-class city with endless opportunities.

Go for whichever city you want, just make sure you are comfortable there and the place has after-graduation opportunities as well. Overall, Uninist is here to solve your doubts!

FAQ