Student Accommodation Glasgow: Areas, Costs & Guide

Quick links:

• Best student neighbourhoods in Glasgow
  • Hillhead
  • Partick
  • Anniesland
  • Kelvinhaugh
  • Southside
  • City Centre
• Average rent costs 
• Average costs by area
• Private renting vs. halls
• How to find a student house in Glasgow
• Making sense of student bills
• Student bills packages
• Guides to other student cities

Glasgow is a buzzing city with great nightlife, a legendary music scene, and loads of affordable places to eat, so it’s a favourite with students from all over the UK. 

It’s also an easy city to get around thanks to being a compact city with a solid public transport network. Travelling between lectures, yourstudent house, and social plans will be easier than in other cities. Whether you’re studying at the University of Glasgow, Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian, or one of the city’s colleges, getting about is pretty stress-free.

Glasgow is a much cheaper alternative to cities like Edinburgh, Manchester and London, but you’ll still need to budget for student housing and bills. Make sure you’ve got enough money to actually enjoy living in such a buzzing city, and start planning now tostay on top of your finances.

If you’re heading to Glasgow to study, or you’re already living there and getting ready to move out of halls, it’s a good idea to start your student house search early. 

This guide breaks down the best student neighbourhoods, what you can expect to pay in rent, and how to stay on top of yourstudent bills. You can also dip into our student moving guide or our guides to other cities . 

Keep reading to learn more about student accommodation in Glasgow.

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

Glasgow is a major city in Scotland, just under an hour from Edinburgh by train. There’s loads going on, but with plenty of parks and green spaces dotted around, you’re never far from a bit of grounding greenery, whether you take a  riverside walk or chill in one of the large public parks.

Students are spread across Glasgow and the surrounding areas, and each neighbourhood has its own vibe. Here are some of the most popular areas for students:

Hillhead: The heart of student life 📍

• Home to the University of Glasgow’s Gilmorehill campus, with frequent buses into the city centre.
• Packed with traditional tenement flats and student house shares, alongside some modern purpose-built student accommodation.
• Right next to Kelvingrove Park and close to the River Kelvin, perfect for walks or study breaks outdoors.
• Has its own station on the city’s subway, which is handy for getting around. 
• Generally more affordable than living right in Glasgow city centre, which makes it especially popular with second- and third-year students inhouse shares.

Partick: A quieter spot, but still buzzing 🌳

• Just a 10–15 minute walk or short bus or subway ride from the University of Glasgow.
• One of the best-connected areas in the city, with train, subway, and bus links making it easy to get to lectures or into the city centre.
• A mix of traditional tenement flats and modern apartments, ideal for student house shares.
• Close to shops, cafés, pubs, and supermarkets, plus easy access to the West End.
• Generally a bit quieter than Hillhead but still very student-friendly, striking a good balance between social life and convenience.

Anniesland: Best for affordability 🏘️

• A quieter, more residential area in the west of Glasgow, popular with students looking for better value rent.
• Around 15–25 minutes by bus or train to the University of Glasgow, with Anniesland Station offering direct links into the city centre.
• Mostly made up of larger flats and house shares, often cheaper than Hillhead or Partick.
• Home to Anniesland Cross, with supermarkets, takeaways, cafés, and everyday essentials close by.
• A good option if you want a calmer place to live without being too far from campus or student life.

Kelvinhaugh: A pocket of peace 🙏

• A small, residential pocket in Glasgow’s West End, sitting right between Finnieston and Hillhead.
• Around a 10–15 minute walk or a short bus ride to the University of Glasgow, meaning it’s still very convenient. 
• Mostly traditional tenement flats and shared student housing, often slightly cheaper than Hillhead itself.
• Close to Kelvingrove Park and the River Kelvin, ideal for walks, runs, or a break from studying.
• Quieter than nearby student hotspots, but still within easy reach of cafés, bars, and transport links.

Southside: Further out, but more space 🏠

• A broad, residential area south of the River Clyde, covering neighbourhoods like Shawlands, Govanhill, and Battlefield.
• Around 25–40 minutes by bus or train to the University of Glasgow, with similar journey times to the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University, depending on where you live.
• Known for better value rent, with larger flats and house shares compared to the West End.
• Popular with students who want a bit more space in a quieter area.

City Centre: Best for convenience 🏢

• If you’d prefer to live right in the heart of the city, with shops, gyms, nightlife, cafés, and transport hubs on your doorstep, Glasgow has student-friendly options.
• Ideal for students at the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University, ‘cause many buildings are within walking distance.
• Around 20–30 minutes by subway, bus, or train to the University of Glasgow.
• Mostly modern flats and purpose-built student accommodation, rather than traditional tenement house shares.
• One of the more expensive areas to live, but popular with students who want short commutes and city life on tap.

When it comes to choosing where to live in Glasgow, it all comes down to which university you’re studying at. If you’re based at the University of Glasgow, the West End areas of Hillhead, Partick, Kelvinhaugh, and Anniesland are popular for their walkable commutes and strong student communities.

If you’re studying at the University of Strathclyde or Glasgow Caledonian University, city centre living can make life easier, with shorter journeys to lectures and everything close by. 

Areas in the Southside are also a solid option if you’re happy with a slightly longer commute in exchange for more space and lower rent.

Wherever you decide to live, it’s important to know what you’ll realistically be paying. Let’s break down the average student accommodation costs in each area.

Average rent costs 💷

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

Types of student housing in Glasgow

(Average rent costs as of December 2025)

Bills Included vs. Rent-Only?

Student halls typicallyinclude bills in your rent, so you only have to think about one payment each month, great for a simple, stress-free first year.

In your second year, you might want to move in with your new mates in a student house. Here, you’ll need toorganise your own bills. This might seem daunting at first, but there are easy ways to do it that give you way more control than bills-inclusive options, like with aFused bills package.. 

Neversorted bills yourselfbefore? Find out what to expect in our Glasgow student bills guide.

Average student accommodation rent by area in Glasgow🏘️

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

(Average rent costs as of January 2026)

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

Choose student accommodation in Glasgow based on a couple of factors: where you’re studying, your budget, and your lifestyle. 

Student halls are the most popular choice for first year, especially if you’ve not lived away from home before. You’ll have the opportunity to meet new people, and it’s easier to manage your finances, as rent and bills will be rolled into a single payment. 

Going into your second year, you’ll want to get that proper student house experience with your mates from halls or your course.

Not sure where you want to live? Here’s a quick breakdown of the two main types of student accommodation in Glasgow and how they compare.

Purpose-built student halls (PBSA)

Student halls are either run by the university (most common for first-year students) or by private providers, which are popular with international students or anyone looking for luxury, independent living. 

Starting uni for the first time? Check out ouruni packing guideso you don’t forget the essentials.

Most purpose-built student accommodation comes withbills included,on-site security, and en-suite rooms, which means there’s not much to organise when you move in. Glasgow has loads of student halls to choose from, depending on where you’re studying.

That said, halls do come with rules. Guest policies can be pretty strict, so overnight stays are usually allowed…with limits 😬Halls are super convenient, but typically more expensive than living in a proper student house, and might not offer the level of independence you want.

Student housing

By second year, most students are ready to move into a student house. 

Glasgow has plenty of student-friendly areas to choose from, including Hillhead, Partick, Kelvinhaugh, Anniesland, and the Southside. Each area has its own feel, from lively student streets to quieter, more residential neighbourhoods.

When it comes to bills, what you pay varies by tenancy. Some houses offerbills included,but more often you’ll need to organise them yourself. You can eithersort your own billsor usebills packageto make life (and your finances) easier.

House hunting 101: A checklist for group shares ✅

1. Kick off the search early
   Good places get taken quickly, so start looking for your student house between November and January for the next academic year.
2. Find a guarantor
   To sign for a student lease, you’ll need a guarantor. This is a person who agrees to cover the rent if you can’t, typically a parent or guardian. 
3. Save up for your deposit
   You need to pay a deposit when you sign the tenancy agreement, this is usually five weeks’ rent. This is held in a deposit protection scheme, and you’ll get it back at the end as long as you look after the house.
   
   Moving from one house to another? Check out ourguide to getting your deposit back.

4. Furnished or unfurnished?
   A Glasgow student house or tenement flat is usually already furnished with the basics like a bed, desk and wardrobe.  If you’re not sure what to take to your new place, read our guide on what to pack for uni.
5. Go through the inventory on move-in day
   Before you make yourself at home, you’ll need to take photos of everything and check the inventory to make sure everything is correct. Keep the pics as evidence if there are any disputes at the end of your tenancy. Ourstudent moving guide has more info. 

Making sense of student bills 🧮

Now you’ve found your dream student house, you’ll need to sort the bills. 

As a student in Glasgow, you need to budget for: 

• Power: Gas and electricity
• Broadband
• TV Licence

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 In Scotland, students don’t pay water bills. So that’s one less thing to worry about. 

You’re also exempt from paying council tax, but you’ll need to tell Glasgow City Council otherwise they’ll send you a bill. Here’s how to let them know you're a student.

Average student bills in Glasgow 💳

Here’s a quick overview ofaverage bills for studentsin rent-only student houses in Glasgow:

Total bills per person per month (split between four housemates): £62

Student bills packages 📦

You don’t want to be chasing your housemates for their share of bills. Make your student life less stressful with a bills package, rolling your bills intoone simple monthly payment.

Scroll, stream and study without buffering thanks to superfast broadband deals from providers like Virgin Media, BT, and Sky.

And don’t forget, those Scottish winters are cold, and keeping a student house or flat warm can be pricey. An unlimited energy package means no bill shocks and the freedom to keep the heating on all through the winter. 

Kick off Glasgow student life the right way 🦵

Glasgow ticks all the boxes for student life. Whether you’re moving into halls in first year, house hunting with friends in Hillhead or Anniesland, or opting for city centre living, planning ahead can make the whole process way less stressful.

Keep in mind that The University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, and Glasgow Caledonian University all sit in different parts of the city, so commute times and living costs can vary depending on where you choose to live.

Once you’ve found the right place, sorting your bills doesn’t have to be another thing on your to-do list. 

With Fused, you can bundle energy plus your choice of broadband, TV package and TV licence into one simple monthly payment, split evenly between housemates. That means less admin, no awkward money chats, and more time to actually enjoy student life in Glasgow.

Not set on uni in Glasgow? Here are our guides to other student cities:

• London student accommodation guide
• Manchester student accommodation guide