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Bristol is a big hit with students, and more than 60,000 students choose Bristol for uni each year. It’s known for its creativity, eco-friendliness, and character 💚

With the University of Bristol, the University of the West of England (UWE), and several colleges based in and around the city, there are tons of student hubs and places to find the perfect accommodation.

It’s an easy city to get around, with decent bus links and walkable routes connecting student housing areas to campus, so your commute doesn’t need to be too much of a stress.

Bristol isn’t the cheapest student city in the UK, but it’s generally more affordable than London, as long as you plan your budget properly.

Rent and bills can add up quickly, so it’s worth getting organised early to make sure you can enjoy everything the city has to offer without ending up too skint.

If you’re heading to Bristol to study, or you’re already there and getting ready to move out of halls, starting your student house search early is a smart move. This guide breaks down the best student neighbourhoods, typical rent prices, and how to stay on top of your student bills.

Studying somewhere else, or just after some general advice? You can also check out our student moving guide or explore our guides to other cities. Keep scrolling to learn more about student accommodation in Bristol 👇

Where to live in Bristol? Breaking down the city’s best student neighbourhoods 🗺️

Bristol is a major city in the South West of England, known for its creativity and sustainability. While it’s a lively, built-up city, there are loads of green spaces nearby, from harbourside walks to large parks like Clifton Downs.

Students live all across Bristol and the surrounding areas, with each neighbourhood offering something a bit different. Here are some of the most popular areas for students to live:

Clifton: Convenient for University of Bristol 📍

  • A short walk to the University of Bristol’s Clifton campus makes it ideal for students who want to close to everything going on.
  • One of Bristol’s most iconic areas, known for its period buildings, cafés, and independent shops
  • Home to plenty of green spaces with beautiful walks along the River Avon and Clifton Downs
  • A mixture of university-owned student halls and traditional house shares

Redland and Cotham: Relaxed student living 🌳

  • Just north of the city centre, sitting between the University of Bristol and UWE, making them a handy option for students at either uni.
  • Around a 10–20 minute walk or short bus ride to the University of Bristol, with direct bus links to UWE’s Frenchay campus
  • Known for period houses and a more relaxed, residential feel compared to the city centre
  • Close to green spaces like Redland Green and Cotham Gardens, perfect for a break from studying

Stokes Croft and Montpelier: The cultural capital 🎨

  • A lively, alternative area just north of Bristol city centre, known for its street art, independent shops, and music venues
  • Within easy reach of the University of Bristol, with a 15–25 minute walk or short bus ride to campus
  • Well-connected by buses running into the city centre and towards the UWE
  • A mix of colourful terraces, flats, and student house shares, often better value than more traditional areas like Clifton

Fishponds and Horfield: Great for UWE students 🏘️

  • Two student-friendly areas in north and east Bristol, popular for offering more space and better value rent
  • Well placed for students at the UWE, with 10–20 minute bus journeys to the Frenchay campus
  • Also connected to the University of Bristol, with bus journeys typically taking 25–40 minutes depending on traffic
  • Close to local parks and green spaces, including Eastville Park and Horfield Common, plus good access to shops and supermarkets

City Centre and Harbourside: Best for student apartments 🏢

  • Living in the heart of Bristol, with shops, gyms, bars, restaurants, and transport links all on your doorstep
  • Ideal if you want quick access to nightlife, part-time jobs, and city-centre amenities
  • Around a 15–25 minute walk or short bus ride to the University of Bristol
  • Well connected to the UWE, with bus journeys to the Frenchay campus taking around 30–45 minutes
  • Mostly modern flats and purpose-built student accommodation, especially around the Harbourside
  • One of the more expensive areas to live, but popular with students who prioritise convenience and city living

 

Choosing where to live in Bristol really depends on which uni you’re studying at and what kind of lifestyle you’re after. If you’re based at the University of Bristol, central areas like Clifton, Redland and Stokes Croft are a good shout, with walkable commutes and student-y vibe.

For students at the UWE, neighbourhoods like Fishponds and Horfield super convenient, offering direct bus routes to the Frenchay campus and generally better value for money.

Although neither university campus is in the very centre of the city, many students still choose to live more centrally and commute to uni, so they’re closer to everything Bristol has to offer.

Wherever you end up, it’s a good idea to know what rent looks like in each area before you make a decision. Let’s take a closer look at the average student accommodation costs across Bristol.

Average rent costs 💷

Let’s take a closer look at how much it costs to live in each area:

Types of student housing in Bristol

(Average rent costs as of January 2026)

Accommodation type

Typically for / location (Bristol)

Bills included?

Average rent

Key features

University-owned student halls

Usually first-year students, located in Clifton (for UoB), or Frenchay and Glenside (for UWE)

Yes

£120–£250 per week

Student halls prices vary based on self catering vs food included, shared bathrooms vs en-suite, and other facilities. With uni-owned halls, contracts typically only cover term-time.

Private purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)

Clifton, Frenchay, City Centre (depending on place of study)

Yes

From £230–£300 per week

En-suite rooms or studios, near campus with gyms, study spaces, and communal areas

Private student housing

Clifton, Redland and Cotham, Stokes Croft, Montpelier

No

Average pppw in a 4-5 bed house: £140-£300

Traditional terraced houses and tenement flats, living with your mates, and bills usually split separately

 

Bills Included vs. Rent-Only?

Both university-owned and privately managed student halls typically include bills in your rent, so you’ve only got one payment to worry about each month.

After a year in halls, most students want to move into a student house with their mates. This will probably be your first time organising your own bills. But don’t worry, there are easy ways to do it. Take a look at our Bristol student bills guide for more info, or get set up with a bills package with Fused.

Average student accommodation rent by area in Bristol🏘️

Here’s what you can expect to pay for housing in each area:

(Average rent costs as of January 2026)

 

Area

Avg rent (pppw, 4–5 bed)

To University of Bristol

To University of the West of England (UWE)

Clifton

£160–£220

Walk: 5–15 mins

Bus: 5–10 mins

Bus: 30–45 mins

Redland & Cotham

£150–£210

Walk: 10–20 mins

Bus: 10–15 mins

Bus: 25–40 mins

Stokes Croft & Montpelier

£140–£200

Walk: 15–25 mins

Bus: 10–15 mins

Bus: 30–45 mins

Fishponds & Horfield

£120–£180

Bus: 25–40 mins

Bus: 10–20 mins

City Centre & Harbourside

£170–£240

Walk: 15–25 mins

Bus: 10–15 mins

Bus: 30–45 mins

 

Private student housing vs. Purpose-built halls: Which is right for you in Bristol? ⚖️

Choosing student accommodation in Bristol comes down to a few key things:

  • which uni you’re at
  • how much you want to spend
  • the kind of student life you’re looking for

Student halls are a popular option in first year, especially if it’s your first time living away from home. They make it easy to meet people, and your rent and bills are wrapped into one payment to keep budgeting simple. Starting uni for the first time? Check out our uni packing guide so you don’t forget the essentials.

By second year, tons of students are ready to move into a shared house with friends (or people they know, at least…), for more independence and often better value for money.

If you’re still weighing up your options, here’s a quick overview of the two main types of student accommodation in Bristol and how they stack up 👇

Purpose-built student halls (PBSA)

University-run student halls are most popular with first-years who are looking to get to grips with a new city. You’ll also find privately-run PBSA, which are more like luxury apartments (usually in the City Centre or other very convenient locations), and these are ideal for international students or anyone who wants their own space (and has the budget!).

PBSA includes bills, on-site security, and en-suite rooms, so there’s not much to organise when you move in.

Want your partner or friend to come and stay? Guest policies can be fairly strict. The odd overnight stay is usually allowed, but there will be limits.

Student housing

Living in a student house or flat with your mates is all part of the experience. Usually, you’ll move in with friends from halls or your course, and if you start looking early enough you can find a place in a convenient and affordable spot.

Bristol has loads of student-friendly neighbourhoods to choose from, including Clifton, Redland and Cotham, Stokes Croft and Montpelier, Fishponds and Horfield, and the City Centre and Harbourside. Each area has its own vibe, from lively centra areas, to quieter neighbourhoods with a bit more space.

When it comes to bills, it depends on your tenancy. Some student houses offer bills included, but it’s most likely you’ll have to sort them yourself. You can do this either by setting up suppliers individually or using a bills package to keep everything in one simple monthly payment.

House hunting 101: A checklist for group shares ✅

1. Start the search early

The best houses go quick, so grab your mates and start looking before Christmas for the next academic year, or at least early January.

2. Find a guarantor
Student tenancies usually require a guarantor, which is a person who agrees to cover the rent if you can’t. This is usually a parent or guardian. They’ll need to sign an agreement to say they’re legally responsible if you can’t cover rent for some reason.

3. Prepare to pay a deposit
You’ll need to pay a deposit for your student house, usually five weeks’ rent. The landlord or agent holds this in a deposit protection scheme, and you get it back when you move out as long as there is no damage.

Moving from one student house to another? Check out our guide to getting your deposit back.

4. Furnished or unfurnished?
Bristol student houses and flats are usually furnished, so you’ll at least get a bed, desk and wardrobe in your room. Property listings will usually include this detail, though, so check before you go shopping. Not sure what to take? Read our guide on what to pack.

5. Check off inventory on move-in day
The inventory is a list of everything in the property. Go through it all, and make sure everything is there and undamaged. Make sure you take photos of any issues like cracks, peeling wallpaper, scratches etc., so you have evidence in case there are any disputes at the end of your tenancy.

Understanding student bills 🧮

mazingBristol student life is a, but you’ll need to make sure you have the money to enjoy it! Part of budgeting is working out how much you’ll need to keep aside for:

Students don’t pay council tax, but you need to let the council know you’re exempt, so you’ll need to get in touch with Bristol City Council.

Average student bills in Bristol 🔥

Here’s a quick overview of average bills for students in rent-only student houses and flats in Bristol:

Bill

Supplier

Frequency

Approx. Cost

Notes

Gas & Electricity

Your choice

Monthly

Around £202.33 for a four/five-bedroom student house

The supplier can vary

Water

Bristol Water (for water) and Wessex Water (for sewerage)

—

Around £45 a month (average shared house estimate)

—

Broadband

Your choice

Monthly

£20–30 per month, not including setup fees

—

Council Tax

Your local council

  

Free, unless you have non-student/part-time housemates

Full-time students are exempt

TV Licence

TV Licensing

Annual, Quarterly, or Monthly

£174.50 (annual) / £44.89 (quarterly) / £29.10 for first 6 months then £14.54 monthly

Needed live TV or BBC iPlayer

 

Total bills per person per month (split between four housemates): £73

Student bills packages 📦

Bristol is famous for its student life. Home to a buzzing art scene, thriving nightlife and two renowned universities, the city is a fantastic place to call home for your student days.

The last thing you want is to chase your housemates for their share of bills, or choose between food and rent. Budgeting is key, and you can keep your outgoings predictable with one simple monthly payment with Fused.

Choose your superfast broadband deal from providers like Virgin Media, BT, and Sky - a choice you don’t usually get when you go bills inclusive!
Lastly, staying warm in your student house can be tough, but a lot of students worry about energy costs when it comes to heating. Your Fused package comes with unlimited energy as standard, so it’s one less thing to worry about.

Have a gert lush time studying in Bristol

Bristol has tons to offer as a student city. Whether you’re settling into halls in first year, house hunting with friends in areas like Redland or Stokes Croft, or moving to the city for luxury living, a bit of planning early on makes a huge difference.

It’s also worth thinking about where you’ll be studying. The University of Bristol and the University of the West of England are based in different parts of the city, so where you live will make a difference to your commute and your rent.

Once you’ve found the right place, sorting the bills doesn’t need to be another headache.

With Fused, you can bundle energy, broadband, and your TV licence into one simple monthly payment, split evenly between housemates. Less admin, no awkward money chats, and more time to actually enjoy student life in Bristol.