AB
Curated and written by
Anna Luna Biddle
AFS City Guide Content Creator
Studying at University of Bristol
The complete student guide to Bristol
8 min read·Last updated: 10 April 2026
“I love the culture in Bristol the most as it feels so vibrant and creative. The variety between areas like Clifton and Stokes Croft are a great example of the different needs that Bristol fulfils, and I love how dynamic and interesting it constantly is.”
Why study in Bristol
International hub
As a diverse multicultural city, Bristol is a great place for international students (Complete University Guide says that around 30% of students in Bristol are internationals.)
There are many music events from across the world, especially in the City Centre.
Marquee and Thekla are home to regular Reggaeton nights, while Thekla also hosts its weekly K-Pop party.
It is said that 90 languages are spoken by residents in Bristol; many influences of Somalian, Caribbean and Asian culture can be seen throughout the city.Home for all artists
No matter what creative industry you are looking to explore, Bristol has you covered. Known for its street art, Stokes Croft, Bedminster, and Nelson Street feature the work of various international artists including Banksy – serving as a source of inspiration.
The Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, M Shed and The Royal Photographic Society are also very popular institutions to visit.
The Bristol Old Vic is the oldest working theatre and still leads the theatre scene, it is now supported by independent venues and the comedy culture.Great location
With many places to eat and drink, various shops to choose from and over 450 parks – Bristol has everything. The city also has excellent road, rail and bus links, as well as an international airport just outside the city (reachable via bus from Temple Meads, with a student discount available!)
The Sunday Times 2014 named Bristol the best UK city to live in and the area was also recognised for its green spaces and was named 2015’s European Green Capital.Safe city
University of Bristol received the police certification of being a ‘secured environment’, and the campus also has its own full-time police officer to ensure the safety of students. The university says they are committed to providing a fair and safe environment for students to study in, schemes are in place to prevent harassment and bullying.
The city itself has also maintained its Purple Flag reputation for the past four years, proving the area to be a safe place for a night out.
Key facts about Bristol
Student life in Bristol
Cost of living in Bristol
Wondering how much it costs to live in Bristol as a student? We’ve broken down typical monthly expenses and compared them to the national average, so you can plan your budget with confidence.
| Expense | Bristol average | National average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (monthly) | £1166 | £907.91 | £258.0928% more |
| Utilities (monthly) | £101 | £111.91 | £10.9110% less |
| Bus pass (monthly) | £91 | £62.64 | £28.3645% more |
| Groceries | £15.35 | £15.26 | £0.091% more |
| Gym pass (monthly) | £35 | £35.63 | £0.632% less |
| Takeaway coffee | £3.80 | £3.62 | £0.185% more |
Rent (monthly)
- Bristol average
- £1166
- National average
- £907.91
- Difference
- £258.0928% more
Utilities (monthly)
- Bristol average
- £101
- National average
- £111.91
- Difference
- £10.9110% less
Bus pass (monthly)
- Bristol average
- £91
- National average
- £62.64
- Difference
- £28.3645% more
Groceries
- Bristol average
- £15.35
- National average
- £15.26
- Difference
- £0.091% more
Gym pass (monthly)
- Bristol average
- £35
- National average
- £35.63
- Difference
- £0.632% less
Takeaway coffee
- Bristol average
- £3.80
- National average
- £3.62
- Difference
- £0.185% more
“I love the culture in Bristol the most as it feels so vibrant and creative. The variety between areas like Clifton and Stokes Croft are a great example of the different needs that Bristol fulfills, and I love how dynamic and interesting it constantly is.
Universities in Bristol
University of Bristol
Offering over 200 undergraduate courses, the University of Bristol has a depth of academic knowledge.
Read guide →
University of the West of England Bristol
The University of the West of England is a campus university based in Bristol, which is one of the UK's most student friendly cities.
Read guide →Getting around Bristol
Student life often centres around a few key areas. Luckily for this, there is a sufficient transport system which helps students navigate their way around the city easily.
Buses
For most students, bus transport is the best and easiest way around – popular routes include 8 or 9 for Clifton and City Centre, and 1,2,3,4 for the other suburban areas.
Students tend to purchase their tickets via the First Bus app.
For University of Bristol students (specifically Vet School) a free U2 bus pass is available too.
Students tend to purchase their tickets via the First Bus app.
For University of Bristol students (specifically Vet School) a free U2 bus pass is available too.
Cycling
UWE has a bike loan scheme where you can loan a bike for the entire year to allow students to travel around Bristol more efficiently.
Trains
Reduced fares are available with a 16-25 Railcard which you can purchase online either yearly or for the full three years.
Taxis/car
V Cars offers a 10% discount to students for rides booked through their app to and from university accommodation.
Life after uni
Besides being the city of music and creativity (where there are plenty of career opportunities for these industries), Bristol’s job sector is also driven by a number of other key industries.
Graduate employment
At all universities in Bristol there are high rates of employment for graduates. Around 94–95% of graduates from the University of Bristol are in employment or further study within 15 months. At the University of the West of England, around 92%+ are in w Target for employers
University of Bristol graduates are one of the top 5–10 most targeted universities by UK employers. The university is also within the top 10 UK universities for employability rankings. Key industries
Alongside the creative industries and media sectors, Bristol also has a number of opportunities within aerospace and engineering, tech and digital industries, as well as finance and professional services.
Accommodation for every student
halls
19 properties
Avg. £255/week
houses
94 properties
Avg. £202/week
flats
109 properties
Avg. £258/week
studios
147 properties
Avg. £335/week
Latest properties in Bristol
AB
Curated and written by
Anna Luna Biddle
AFS City Guide Content Creator
Studying at University of Bristol
Anna recently graduated from the University of Bristol in 2025, after completing her MA in Film and TV. Using her student experience of the city, she joined our student team to write a City Guide of Bristol. Anna was also previously a Content Creator for the AFS student team whilst she was a student.
