Famed for its diverse culture, interesting history and bustling streets, Bristol is home to over 700,000 people! Boasting two universities, Bristol is known for its particularly buzzing student community. As a student in Bristol, you won’t struggle with finding things to do when you aren’t studying.
In this article, we are going to share everything a student should know about living and studying in Bristol, including answering questions about the different options for student accommodation, what to do during the day and where to go out drinking. So, let’s give you a verbal tour of Bristol and help you decide whether it’s a worthwhile place to live.
Student accommodation in Bristol
Bristol is home to two different universities – University of Bristol, and University of the West of England, affectionately nicknamed UWE. Both universities offer a wide range of different courses, so you’re bound to find a university course that suits your academic interests!
But what about accommodation? If you choose to live in halls, there are a few different ones to choose between. For students at Bristol University, there are 26 different residences, ranging from £3,990 to £14,000 a year, depending on a number of factors.These include the residence type, term length, whether or not you’re catered, whether it’s a single or twin room and the grade of room.
As a student at UWE, there are 11 different residences to choose from, including both on and off-campus. These accommodations range from £4,923.90 to £13,066.20, depending on factors such as contract length, whether the room has an ensuite, and where the accommodation is located.
If you are looking at privately renting a shared house with other students, you should expect to pay, on average, around £730 a month, not including bills. But make sure you’re quick when choosing your private accommodation! With students from two separate universities and around 60 leads for every rental property on the market, not only do you have to go up against other students to find a place to live, you also have to battle against the general public.
Daytime activities
Now that you’ve figured out where you’re likely to be living, the next thing to explore is the endless list of fun things to do in Bristol for students. Being such a touristy city, there is SO MUCH TO DO in Bristol!
For the history buffs among you, you may want to become immersed in one of Bristol’s many museums. There is a museum for almost every interest: improve your local knowledge at M Shed, or step aboard the SS Great Britain, which was rescued from wreckage in 1970! And if science is more your thing, why not pay a visit to We The Curious, a state-of-the-art science and education centre.
For those not really into learning outside of university (totally understandable), Bristol is home to two bustling shopping centres: Cabot Circus and Cribbs Causeway, both offering a range of different high street and designer stores, and a number of different bars and restaurants for you to choose from.
If the theatre is right up your street, you will relish in Bristol’s various theatres, including the renowned Bristol Hippodrome, Tobacco Factory Theatres and Redgrave Theatre. With these theatres offering concessions for students, it’s never been cheaper to get lost in the world of musical theatre, old classics, contemporary plays, operas and even ballets!
Bristol Nightlife
And now we get to the real reason you’re reading this article, to find out about the Bristol nightlife. Luckily, Bristol has a bustling nightlife and is home to many bars and clubs, each offering ‘student nights’ on different weeknights – so your student loan won’t take too much of a battering!
If you like watching live music, there are various different venues across the city, but our personal favourites include The Fleece and Thekla – a club on a boat (so cool!). If clubbing and DJs are more up your street, be sure to check out Motion – a huge warehouse style club.
And if you’d rather hit a pub than party the night away, Bristol is full of good spots for a pint or some good old pub grub! Popular student pubs include The Anchor and The Apple.
Transport in Bristol
Bristol is in an ideal location to travel to and from. On the train, you can get to the nearby city of Bath in 10 minutes for less than £10, and it only takes around an hour and a half to get to London on the train too. If you use the train a lot, to travel home or to spend your student loan sightseeing across the country, you could buy a 16-25 Railcard for £30 a year, which saves you 1/3 on rail travel.
Within Bristol, it’s easy to get around. Most students walk or cycle, but buses within the city run frequently, and students can get up to 20% discount on all tickets across the West of England. Some UWE accommodation options include a free bus pass, but you can get one for £480 a year if it’s not included.
So, is Bristol a good place to live?
We think Bristol is a great place to live! In fact, it was voted the UK’s happiest city in 2019! There’s so much to do in Bristol and if you’re looking for a bustling community with a hive of activity, Bristol is the place for you!
Beyond its vibrant social scene, Bristol is blessed with a huge number of different parks, gardens and beautiful green spaces, including four parks located in the city centre – Brandon Hill, Castle Park, Clifton Downs and Queen Square!
The combination of a lively social scene, buzzing nightlife, fascinating history and calming outdoor spaces means that it really has something for everyone!
How Aspire to Move can help
If you’ve secured a place to study in Bristol and are looking for a place to live, Aspire to Move are here to help. Our knowledge of Bristol, paired with our expertise in securing ideal homes for tenants across the South West, means that we are your go to letting agent in Bristol.
We offer a specialised student service available beyond the regular 9-5, Monday-Friday timeframe. With property launches in November, you have ample time to secure your prospective home.
Contact us now to explore your needs and find out how we can help you.
