Student city guide to Bristol

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One of South West England’s major cities, Bristol has lots to offer students. In the city, there are two unis – the University of Bristol and Bristol, University of the West of England (UWE). Both unis offer a wide range of courses from across different disciplines, so you’ll be sure to find something that matches your academic interests. Of course, you won’t be studying all the time while you’re in Bristol, so you’ll be wondering what you can do in your downtime. Fortunately, there’s plenty of nightlife and student-friendly activities around Bristol to keep you busy. To find out what exactly there is on offer, as well as the local transport, accommodation and the cost of everything, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide. Read on to see if Bristol is right for you!

Student activities in Bristol
Nightlife in Bristol
Student accommodation in Bristol
Transport in Bristol
Student costs in Bristol
Universities in Bristol

Student activities in Bristol

Luckily, Bristol is packed with things to do. If you’re a fan of art, then why not check out Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, or the Arnolfini?

If you’re into shopping, then a trip to St. Nicholas’ Market is definitely a must, as is the shopping mall Cabot Circus. At the market, you’ll find a huge range of quirky stalls selling things you’ll never have even realised exist, while Cabot Circus has all the top high street stores on offer.

If sport is more your thing, then Bristol has two professional football teams as well as a professional basketball team and the city also hosts Gloucestershire County Cricket Club.

Read our list of the top 10 things to do for students in Bristol.

Nightlife in Bristol

Bristol is well-known for its nightlife, in particular its live music scene. Some popular venues to catch a gig at across the city include The Fleece, The Bristol Fringe and Thekla. If you’re after DJs and clubbing, then you should definitely check out Motion, a huge warehouse-style club.

If it’s a quieter night out you’re looking for then you may want to catch a show at The Old Vic, or if a catchup with your mates over a glass of wine is what you’re after then you’ll want to make a visit to one of the city’s many pubs and bars. Popular student locations include The Anchor, The Apple and The Golden Guinea.

Student accommodation in Bristol

Living in Bristol, you’ll be able to choose between living in uni halls or privately renting. If you opt for uni halls, then you’ll likely have all your bills included in your rent to make your renting experience smoother. On average, uni-owned halls in Bristol cost around £120 a week. Shared bathroom, self-catered rooms make for a cheaper option, while ensuite, catered or studio rooms tend to incur additional costs. Catered accommodation, while more expensive, will reduce the money you have to spend on groceries, so may represent a good investment.

If you’d prefer to rent privately, you might want to look at renting a room in a shared house or flat, often with other students. Rooms in shared houses usually cost from £160 per week, though cheaper options can be found if you choose to live a bit further away from the city centre. When privately renting, you’ll probably also need to budget for utilities. In a shared house, this could be about £60 a month per person.

Transport in Bristol

From Bristol, you can easily reach cities such as London, Exeter and Bath on the train. Tickets to Exeter or Bath can be around £10 each way, while a one-way ticket to London starts from £18. To save money on your rail fare, you can purchase a 16-25 Rail Card which entitles you to 1/3 off your train tickets.

When it comes to travelling around Bristol, most students walk or cycle as their primary form of transport, but there’s also a good local bus network which you can take advantage of. Some UWE accommodation options include a free bus pass, or you can purchase one yourself for roughly £50 per month.

Student costs in Bristol

Aside from your rent and tuition fees, you’ll have a few other costs to bear in mind each month. Some typical essential students expenses include:

£200 for groceries and hygiene products
£20 for laundrette facilities (if your accommodation doesn’t have a free machine)
£60 for utility bills and wifi (if not included in your rent fees)

You’ll also need to save some money for socialising. Typical prices associated with popular student activities include:

£5 for a pint of beer
£15 for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant

Read our detailed breakdown of the cost of living in Bristol for students.

Universities in Bristol

Bristol has two unis in the city – the University of Bristol and Bristol, University of the West of England (UWE).

The University of Bristol ranked 15th in the UK in the Complete University Guide’s 2023 league tables and is a member of the prestigious Russell Group. The Russell Group is known for being research-driven unis, so students at Bristol can be sure they’re studying under academics carrying out ground-breaking research.

UWE came 44th in the UK for student satisfaction in Complete University Guide’s 2023 league tables. Courses are developed with a large focus on careers, meaning UWE graduates leave uni prepared for the world of work.

If you’ve got more questions about what it’s like studying in Bristol after reading all our guides, then why not book an open day in Bristol? If you’re sure uni in Bristol is for you, then start searching for courses in Bristol now.

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Student city guide to Bristol

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