Is it expensive to live in Bristol as a student?

With not one but two universities, Bristol is a bustling city that boasts a vibrant cultural scene. However, this can also make it a fairly expensive place to live. From my time here, these are some of the costs of living areas to consider as a student in this city.

Housing and student accommodation costs in Bristol

A recent study by CIA Landlord Insurance that compared monthly salaries with monthly rent and the cost of living found Bristol was the third most expensive UK city to live in. House and flat prices have risen in recent years, varying depending on the area. Generally, the closer to a university a property is, the more expensive it will be. An average rental cost starts from approximately £1300 for a 1 bedroom flat and rises to £1900 for a 3-bedroom property. Bristol is around 14% cheaper than the capital in general (excluding rent costs). In first year halls of residence, accommodation prices will vary based on the type of room you have. Catered accommodation will be more expensive than self-catered, and halls with shared bathrooms will be cheaper than those with en-suites. In 2024, the costs of university-run accommodation in Bristol ranged between £120 and £290 a week.

Public transport in Bristol

Bristol has a frequent and efficient public transport service. University of Bristol students living in University-allocated accommodation (except postgraduates in postgraduate-only residences) receive a free bus pass for unlimited travel on selected lines. Also, the SU organises free shuttle buses every Wednesday to take students from Tyndalls Park to the main sportsground, Coombe Dingle. Students get discounted tickets on all lines and this year, the First Bus service offered a free bus pass to people during their birthday month! As well as this, due to recent investment in largely traffic-free cycle routes across the city, Bristol has become a great place for cyclists. In addition to feeling more active and energised this means you’ll also save money on bus fares! UWE students can take advantage of the student cycle loan scheme. For more information on this, and maps of UWE’s campus-wide cycle routes, visit their transport page.

Scholarships and bursaries that can help

There are a variety of scholarships and bursaries available to students at both the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England. For example Bristol uni’s Blake Memorial Fund aids students in the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering who are experiencing financial difficulty. As well as this, University of Bristol alumni can get 25% off postgraduate fees. UWE offers scholarships such as The Harris Scholarship which was established to support estranged students. They also offer Sanctuary Scholarships for refugees and asylum seekers looking to study undergraduate courses at the uni. These are only a few examples of the many scholarships and bursaries available. More details on Bristol University’s scholarships and bursaries, and UWE’s scholarships and bursaries can be found on their websites.

Food & Drink/Eating Out

In today’s economy, it won’t come as a surprise that eating out in Bristol can be expensive. But, if you know where to look, you can find cheap eats. Supermarket food prices have also risen in the past few years, so getting a rewards apps (e.g. Nectar, Clubcards, Lidl Plus app) is a must. It’s also a good idea to download apps such as Student Beans and Unidays, which offer exclusive deals for students on food, drink, clothing and more. Many food places around Bristol (such as Eat A Pitta) offer student discounts through the Student Beans app.

Activities

Whilst activities and going out and about in Bristol can be expensive, there are plenty of student discounts to take advantage of. For example, the Watershed cinema offers £5 tickets to under 25s and Roxy Lanes offers student discounts on activities such as bowling, karaoke and pool. It’s also a good idea to check the websites of UWE and UoB’s respective student unions, as they’ll often have lots of events going on. Throughout the year, they run both free and ticketed events, and those costing money are often subsidised. Joining a society is a good way to save money on activities, as for what’s often a small membership fee you can get discounts (or free entry into) events for the whole year. In today’s economy, balancing finances as a student can definitely be a challenge. Between food, rent and study supplies, student expenses add up. That’s why it’s important to consider the living expenses of different cities when deciding where to go to uni.