Student guide to Lincoln

A compact city in the East Midlands, Lincoln has a lot to offer students, from bustling nightlife to two great unis, to impressive transport connections and a surprisingly low cost of living. If you’re thinking about studying at one of the two universities in the city, you probably have a lot of questions about what it’s like to live here as a student, which is exactly where this guide comes in. Here, we’ve broken down all the key aspects of student life to give you a taste of what it’s like to live in Lincoln.

Student activities in Lincoln

There’s loads of things to do in Lincoln, from climbing Steep Hill to visit the cathedral, to shopping on the busy high street. Steep Hill is definitely worth a visit because it’s so pretty (and not to mention it’s also a free workout - the name is accurate), and there’s lots of cute independent shops to check out on your way up.

For shopping and dining, the Brayford Waterfront is the place to go. It’s also very Instagram-worthy, and you’ll find a wide range of popular high street chains selling all sorts.

Other, more niche things you might want to try while you’re in the city include ghost tours, crazy golf, escape rooms and axe throwing.

Nightlife in Lincoln

There’s a wide range of nightlife on offer in Lincoln. One of the most popular student spots is the Engine Shed, one the University of Lincoln’s campus. The Engine Rooms hosts club nights, and also has regular live music events, making it perfect for a night out.

Another popular destination is Home, a club with six rooms and seven bars – yes you read that right. Unsurprisingly given its size, you’ll find a range of music being played, and there are so many different rooms it can feel like a totally different venue depending on which floor you go to.

If you’re looking for something a bit quieter, there are lots of popular pubs and bars around, including the unis’ student bars. Other popular locations include Red Five, Walkabout and the Cardinal’s Hat.

Student accommodation in Lincoln

There are two unis in Lincoln, so what accommodation options you have will depend on which uni you choose. At Lincoln Bishop University, rooms start from £153 per week for a room with shared bathroom facilities, while rooms in shared flats at the University of Lincoln range from £129-£191 per week. Studio flats at the University of Lincoln start from £179 per week.

If you choose to rent privately, you can expect to pay around £816 per month for a one-bedroom flat, or around £1,450 per month for a three-bedroom flat – just about £483 per person. Renting privately means you’ll probably also have to factor in utility bills. In a shared house you could expect this to be about £70 - £80 per month.

Transport in Lincoln

Lincoln is a fairly small city, so you’ll probably walk or cycle a lot. If you use public transport a lot, however, you might want to invest in a monthly bus pass for around £65. The train station offers direct trains to cities including Leicester, Nottingham, Leeds, Sheffield and London, so travelling further afield is straightforward.

Student costs in Lincoln

The biggest cost you’ll have as a student is your tuition fees, which are usually £9,790 per year. Fortunately, as a Home student, you can apply to your nation’s student finance for a loan that covers the full amount of your course fees. This will be paid directly to your uni, and you’ll only start to repay the loan once you’ve graduated and are earning over the repayment threshold for your plan.

The second largest expense you’ll have is accommodation, which we covered above, but you could be paying anywhere from around £400 - £850 per month on rent and bills, depending on the type of accommodation you opt for.

You’ll also have to buy your own groceries. On average, students spend about £143 a month on groceries.

Once all of that’s out the way, you’ll want to have a bit of fun! A beer is normally priced at just under £5, and a meal in an inexpensive restaurant will probably come to around £18. With these reasonable prices, you’ll be able to make your student loan stretch further. However, we’d always recommend keeping a little bit aside each month in case you need to purchase any course materials such as books, printer credits or art supplies, or in case of any unexpected costs.

NEXT: Learn more about the cost of living in Lincoln.

Universities in Lincoln

The city might be small, but it has two universities on offer for students, meaning you’ll have plenty of choice if you choose to study here.

The University of Lincoln is proud to have a reputation for providing a high-quality student experience, which is thanks in part to the inspirational teaching delivered by academic staff. The unis is very careers-focused, and has strong industry links which students can benefit from both during and after their studies.

Originally a teacher training college, Lincoln Bishop University has expanded to offer a wide range of courses. The uni came first in accommodation and student halls in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025 – an impressive achievement!

NEXT: Is Lincoln the city for you? Start searching for courses now.