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Falmouth is a small coastal town in Cornwall and is popular with students. The town is home to the University of Falmouth, a top 30 UK university for student satisfaction according to Complete University Guide’s 2025 league tables. The compact town makes it easy for students to get around, and the safety of the area mean it has wide appeal. Our list of reasons to study here will give you a better insight into Falmouth and everything it has to offer.
1. Great educational opportunities
As we just said, the uni here is ranked among the top 30 for student satisfaction in the UK. It offers a small, welcoming campus with a special focus on art and design courses. Students can benefit from the professional standard facilities on offer, all while enjoying the coastline.
2. Beautiful location
The town is in a beautiful area, and offers not just a stunning coastline, but the rolling hills of Cornwall and the river Fal. There’s a deep natural harbour which is well worth a visit, and you’ll have multiple beaches to choose from to visit if you decide to study here.
3. Strong community
Falmouth is definitely a student town, and the students and locals get on extremely well. The town has a small population, which means it has a strong community feel and you’ll feel at home here from day one thanks to all the welcoming locals and students living here.
4. Vibrant nightlife
The large student population in the town naturally means there’s a lot of nightlife to explore. Whether you’re looking to dance the night away in a club, have a quiet pint in a pub, a fancy cocktail in a bar or even catch some live music, you’ll find a bit of everything in Falmouth.
5. Gardens and parks
If you’re looking for somewhere in the town to relax and have a picnic without worrying about getting sand in your sandwich, then the parks and gardens of Falmouth are the place to go. You’ll have several options, including Kimberley Park or, a little further afield, Glendurgan Garden.
6. Art and culture hub
The uni itself is known for its art and design courses, so it’s no surprise that this spills out into the wider town. You’ll find galleries showcasing local art, live music performances, theatre shows of all kinds and artists studios around the town.
7. Coastal location
We already mentioned how stunning the landscape is, but with multiple beaches to pick from, students here really have won the lottery if it’s sea air you’re looking for. Both of Falmouth’s beaches are easy to access, and you’ll also easily be able to travel to other nearby towns to check out their coastline as well.
8. Historical town
The harbour holds a lot of history – pirates anyone? – but there’s also lots of other history to be explored around the town. Take a trip to Pendennis, a coastal fortress from the Tudor period, or visit the National Maritime Museum.
9. Local events and festivals
To get you more involved in the local culture, there are plenty of events and festivals you can choose to attend. You’ll find yachting regattas, celebrations of sea shanties, traditional Cornish events and more.
10. Low crime rate
Falmouth’s crime rate is far below the UK’s average, meaning you can feel safe in and around the town. Knowing the area you live in is safe will help you settle in better, and also relieves some of the stress around moving.
Source: crimerate.co.uk
11. Compact town
The town is relatively small, which means that you’ll be able to get around on foot or by bike most of the time, reducing the amount you’ll be spending on transportation. The uni is right next to the main town centre, so you won’t have to travel far to get between them anyway!
12. Literary connections
Cornwall generally is known for its literary connections, and Falmouth specifically does not let you down in this regard. Falmouth was the birthplace for several of the characters from The Wind in the Willows, and it also inspired Poldark writer Winston Graham’s novel The Forgotten Story.
13. Warm climate
Thanks to its location in the south west of England, Falmouth has slightly warmer weather than further north in the UK. You likely won’t notice a huge difference, and it can get pretty cold and wet here, but on average, you’ll have a warmer uni experience than you would in most other UK towns.
14. Shopping and dining
Falmouth is known for its wide range of independent shops, cafes and restaurants. While you will find chain restaurants, shops and cafes here, the independent ones are far more exciting and interesting, and there are plenty of them around to check out!
15. Boating and watersports
Again, thanks to its location by the coast, there’s a lot of sea-sporting activities you can get involved in here. Surfing isn’t really on the table (although you might occasionally get the weather for it), but you can kayak, paddle board, sail and swim.
16. Hiking
Cornwall is known for its scenic walks, and from Falmouth you’ll be able to participate in some of these. Easily accessible from the town is a section of the South West Coast path, along which you can walk pretty much as far as you want – the entire path is 630 miles long. Alternatively, you could take a walk along the river.
17. Sustainably-minded town
The town itself is doing a lot of sustainability work, so it’s a great place to live if that’s something you’re interested in. Some of the initiatives from the town include the Green Tourism Business Scheme, Transition Falmouth and Plastic Free Falmouth.
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Or, check out our guide to studying in Falmouth.
