Cardiff Metropolitan University

Location: Cardiff

26 Gibraltar Students each year

No direct flight from Gibraltar

Cardiff Metropolitan University (Cardiff Met) offers a dynamic, career-focused environment with strong industry links, small class sizes, and cutting-edge facilities. Located in Cardiff, a student-friendly city, the campus combines urban vibrancy with access to nature, including eco-friendly accommodation and green initiatives. With a focus on employability, sustainability, and student well-being, Cardiff Met provides a supportive community for creative, international, and active students. Whether you’re into sports, art, or academics, Cardiff Met’s diverse programs and personalized attention make it an excellent choice for a balanced, enriching university experience.

Uni Website

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Transport

Closest Airport with direct flights from Gibraltar

Bristol Airport
Bristol Airport (BRS), located about an hour and a half drive from Cardiff.

It flys every sundays and thursdays. A total of 4 flights per week.

Flight time is around 2 hours and 53 minutes.

Tickets on average range between £25 up to £270.

Transport To Bristol Airport from Cardiff Met:
- Train + Bus: Take a train from Cardiff Central to Bristol Temple Meads (45 minutes), then catch the Bristol Airport Flyer bus (30 minutes) to the airport. Fast and convenient.
- Coach: A National Express coach from Cardiff to Bristol (1.5–2 hours), then a bus to the airport (30 minutes). Cheapest but slower.
- Direct Bus: Some Megabus or National Express services go directly to Bristol Airport (1.5–2 hours), though they’re less frequent.
- Taxi or Car: A taxi takes about 45 minutes (around £80-£100), or you can hire a car for more flexibility.
- Ride-Sharing: Platforms like BlaBlaCar can be an affordable option, with rides around £10-£15.
Nearest Airport

Rhoose Cardiff Airport

Cardiff Airport is the closest main airport other then Bristol, it has many destinations including Malaga airport, meaning it can be a go to cheaper alternative other then flying directly to gibraltar.

Ryanair and many cheap airlines offer flights as from £20!

Transport to Airport:

Train & Bus

Route: Take a train from Cardiff Central to Rhoose Cardiff Airport station (36 minutes), then a 905 bus to the terminal.

Total Journey Time: Approx. 43 minutes.

Cost: £7.20 (with a combined rail and bus ticket).

Frequency: Trains every hour, bus every 15 minutes.

Direct Bus:

T9 Service: Runs from Cardiff City Centre to Cardiff Airport (every 20 minutes).

Cost: £5 each way.

304 Bus: Operated by Stagecoach, every hour, £3.40.

Student Discount: Many bus services offer discounted fares for students, so be sure to ask for a student ticket!

Taxi/Ride-Sharing:

Distance: Approx. 12.7 miles, around 21 minutes.

Cost: £30-£40, depending on traffic.

Driving:

Distance: About 12.7 miles, taking 21 minutes.

Parking: Cardiff Airport offers both short-term and long-term parking options.

Student Discounts

Bus & Train: Cardiff Met students can get discounted fares on public transport with a Student Oyster card or using local student discounts.

Taxis: Some taxi companies offer student discounts, so it’s worth checking before booking.
Transport costs

Very Low

Cardiff is known to be a very affordable city for students.

On average most students spend just £70 a month on transport, however Cardiff Met does offer a student deal for £100 a term that covers transport costs.

The city itself is a very walkable city and is very accessible therefore most students opt to walk or ride share.

Going Out

General costs are very low at cardiff, students tend to spend between 100-170 pounds on accomindation weekly.

Free things to do in Cardiff for students

Surprisingly, there are a lot of free things to see and do in Cardiff. Here’s a list of them for you to explore and take your mind off on the weekends:

National Museum Cardiff
Bute Park
Cardiff Castle
St. Fagans National Museum of History
Wales Millennium Centre
Norwegian Church Arts Centre
Castle Quarter Arcades

Facilities and Day-to-Day Life

Cardiff Metropolitan University offers a variety of facilities to support your studies, personal well-being, and social life:

Library & Learning Resource Centres: Quiet study spaces, group rooms, and access to books, journals, and computers.

Sports Facilities: Gyms, sports halls, outdoor pitches, a climbing wall, and a swimming pool.

Creative Arts Facilities: Perfect for students in Fine Art, Graphic Design, Fashion, and Media to work on projects and build portfolios.

Health Sciences Labs: Simulation labs for nursing, physiotherapy, and healthcare students.(Most Popular)

Business & IT Facilities: State-of-the-art computer labs with software for coding, business simulations, and data analysis.

Student Union & Social Spaces: Cafes, common areas, and event spaces.

Student Wellbeing Centre: Counseling, mental health services, and personal development workshops. Offers support for academic and personal challenges.

Innovation Hub: Resources and mentoring for students interested in entrepreneurship.

Accomodation

Many Gibraltar Students studying in Cardiff recommend staying in the Student Halls instead of Private Accommodation for one main reason, it is much more budget friendly with most students paying around £400 – £800 / Month instead of the £660 – £810 / Month for private.

University Halls of Residence:

- These are on-campus accommodations with rooms that typically come in two types:
  - En-suite rooms: These have a private bathroom, and you’ll share kitchen and living facilities with other students.
  - Standard rooms: These may share bathroom facilities with others, but you’ll still have access to shared kitchen spaces.

Studio Apartments:

- Some students prefer the privacy of a studio apartment, which offers a self-contained living space, including a kitchen and private bathroom.

Off-Campus Accommodation:

- Cardiff Met also provides recommendations and support for off-campus housing. Many students opt to rent houses or flats in the surrounding areas, often shared with other students.

General Price Ranges (23-24)

En-suite Rooms: Prices typically range from £130 to £170 per week depending on the hall and room size.
Standard Rooms: These are usually a bit cheaper, ranging from £100 to £140 per week.
Studio Apartments: These can range from £170 to £220 per week, providing more privacy and independence.
Off-Campus Housing: Rent for off-campus houses or flats generally ranges from £100 to £150 per week, depending on the location and type of property.

Campuses

Cyncoed Campus:
- Popular for: Sport-related courses, Health Sciences, and green campus space.
- Facilities: Excellent sports facilities, including gyms, sports halls, and outdoor pitches.
- Distance from City Centre: Approx. 4 miles – 20-minute bus ride or 30-minute walk.
- Distance from Llandaff Campus: Approx. 4 miles – 20-minute bus ride or 30-minute walk.
Llandaff Campus:
- Popular for: Arts, Design, and Engineering programs.
- Facilities: State-of-the-art creative studios and workshops.
- Distance from City Centre: Approx. 3 miles – 15-minute bus ride or 20-25-minute walk.
- Distance from Cyncoed Campus: Approx. 4 miles – 20-minute bus ride or 30-minute walk.
Access to City Centre:
- Both campuses are 15-20 minutes by bus or a short walk from Cardiff’s vibrant city centre, where the best nightlife, bars, clubs, and music venues are located.

What do Gibraltar students say about this University?

“student feedback”

1st/2nd/3rd/4th Year Student, ‘subject’

Cardiff Metropolitan University

Transport

Closest Airport with direct flights from Gibraltar

Nearest Airport

Transport costs