Remus Hamza, from Cardiff, is accused of assaulting the woman, 20, in the early hours of 20 September during freshers' week.
Mr Hamza denied one count of rape during the hearing at Newport Crown Court.
The defendant was remanded in custody and the case was adjourned until 15 February.
A 40-year-old man has denied raping a woman outside Cardiff University at the start of the academic year.