If you are moving to Brighton to study, then finding a place to live is one of the most important things you’ll have to think about. This guide will give you all the information you need to find the best place to live in Brighton as a student.
Student areas in Brighton
University of Brighton
Falmer Campus
Falmer campus is a great place to live as a student, especially in first year. The accommodation is seconds away from the university buildings for any humanities and teaching students, and the views surrounding the area are gorgeous! If you’re not a humanities or teaching student, then being on Falmer will mean you’ll have a 20-minute commute to Moulsecoomb campus or Grand Parade. Similarly, town is a short train or bus journey away; the nearest shop is an Aldi next to Moulsecoomb, so you can do all your shopping on a budget!
Moulsecoomb Campus
Moulsecoomb campus is where the majority of students will find themselves studying, and it is midway between the further out Falmer campus and the seafront and city centre. It’s surrounded by privately owned student houses for second and third year. Living here would put you in walking distance of some lovely independent pubs, as well as a 20-minute walk from the North Laines and London Road.
Varley Park
Varley Park isn’t attached directly to any particular campus but is just a short bus journey from Mouslecoomb and Falmer. It’s also just a 30-minute ride on a 24 bus to the town centre. With a plethora of options when it comes to halls there, and being the only campus close to the huge Hollingbury Asda, it’s a great place to be.
Grand Parade
If you’re an art student, you’re likely to be mostly studying at Grand Parade. This is in the heart of the city, and there are loads of perks of living there. You’re in the middle of a bustling city, full of inspiration! Plus, all the best bars and pubs are within walking distance.
The University of Sussex
University Campus
Similarly to Brighton University, living on campus for Sussex students means you’re only a small distance from the city, but also you’re always within walking distance of your libraries and lectures. Sussex also has a few shops on campus, so you don’t always have to commute to the nearest supermarket.
Elm Grove and Lewes Road
If after you’d rather live closer to town, maybe because you have a job, or just because there’s more to do, then a lot of students tend to choose homes along Lewes Road or Elm Grove. It seems that every other house on these roads and their branches is a student house. Living here means you can walk to the seafront and town, but also that you’re not in tourist central, and you can bus into campus super easily!
London Road
London Road is a short distance from Elm Grove and is another prime spot for students. It’s got an Aldi, a gaming bar, and is a direct link into the city. Not to mention the Open Market with organic vegetables and independent shops! You can get a 25 or 23 up to the university easily from here too.
Cost of living as a student in Brighton
Average rent: £115 – 166 per week
Living cost (including bills): £220 – £300 per week
Average pint: £3.50 – £4.50
Travel: £1.19+ per day (based on yearly bus ticket)
With Brighton being a coastal city in the south, full of independent and trendy bars and stores, the price of living down here can be relatively high. The Jolly Explorer found that on average, a student will be paying between £115 and £166 in rent each week. They also suggest that after bills, you will need an additional £75 to £100 a week to live as well. And then including bills, you can safely estimate living costs at between £220 and £300 a week. Of course, this depends on what bills you’re paying and where you choose to live.
The estimated weekly extra money covers nights out, brunches, replacing any jeans that get paint on at Freshers… you name it. So how expensive are things like that in Brighton?
The average pint in Brighton is £3.50 according to PintPrice, or £4.24 according to iNews. So you can expect to need somewhere near a fiver. And then if you’re going to bus out to the pub, you’ll need to get a ticket through the buses app. Tickets vary in price, with a year-long student ticket being £437, a day network ticket costing £3.75, or weekly for £15.50, or monthly for £97. If you’re going to campus regularly as well, the yearly ticket may be worth splashing out for on loan day.
Once you get to your night out, drinks can be pricey in some clubs – especially places like Pryzm or Shooshh. So make sure you keep your eye out for deals on entry, 2 for 1 drinks, and student nights. That way, you get to make the most of your money and still end up having a great time.
The best student halls in Brighton
University of Brighton
Great Wilkins Halls of Residence
Price from: £138 – £156 per week
These halls offer a self-catered or catered option and offer either single or double rooms on a 50-week tenancy. The contract includes a £5,000 contents insurance, utility bills, cleaning and 24/7 security and support. Each room also has an en-suite. These halls are on the University of Brighton’s Falmer campus. There is no parking on this site.
Paddock Field Halls of Residence
Price from: £142 per week
These halls also offer self-catered or catered and are en-suite. They are also up on the university’s Falmer campus, and the contract covers £5,000 contents insurance, utility bills, cleaning, and security. The contracts here are only 39 weeks. There is no parking on site.
Phoenix Brewery Halls of Residence
Price from: £155 per week
These halls are self-catered only and are in the city. They also offer £5,000 contents insurance, utility bills, cleaning and 24/7 security.
Moulsecoomb Place
Price from: £136 per week
Here you can sign up for a 39-week contract which covers £5,000 contents insurance, utility bills, cleaning and 24/7 security. The halls are self-catered and have a shared bathroom, as well as limited parking.
University of Sussex
Swanborough
Price from: £167.50 per week
These halls are on the campus and offer a single bed with an en-suite and a common room. It has a launderette 0.2 miles away and has on-site security. The rent covers utility bills, service charges, common area cleaning, contents insurance. The contract is 39 weeks.
Norwich House
Price from: £115 per week
These halls have a shared bathroom between 12 flatmates and a sink in the single room. They do not have a common room, but your rent covers utility bills, contents insurance, and campus security. It is a 39-week contract.
Stanmer Court
Price from: £159.40 per week
These halls offer either single, shared or studio rooms, all with en-suites and common rooms. There is a launderette in the building and an on-site security team. The rent covers utility bills, cleaning and contents insurance, and the contract covers a 39-week stay for undergrads or 51 for postgrads.
East Slope
Price from: £159.13 per week
Here you can sign up for either a single en-suite room or a standard townhouse room. The halls are split into Bodiam, Camber, Lullington and Amberley. The halls open in January 2021. It will offer 39-week contracts for undergrads, and 50-week contracts for postgrads.
Private halls in Brighton
Student Castle
Price from: £270 per week
These halls are privately owned and offer either twin rooms or studios, with kitchens and en-suites. They are located in Moulsecoomb, meaning they are either a walk or short bus journey from any of the campuses. They offer 51-week contracts.
Student Brighton
Price from: £115 per week
With halls in Clifton Hill, Bedford Square and Kemptown, these halls are ideal for students who are working or are at a city campus. They offer flats, bedsits and studios. Each flat and location offers different things.
iQ Student Accommodation
Price from: £240 per week
These halls offer accommodation at either London Road of Lewes Road, and offer varying levels of luxury! They brag about flexible start dates, and offer either studios or en-suite rooms, with single or double beds.
Cheapest Halls in Brighton
It would appear that, in Brighton, it is cheaper to either get accommodation with the university or rent a student flat with a letting agent. Check out our articles on letting agencies for more information on the latter.
University of Brighton
Selsey and Chalvington
Price from: £136 per week
These halls offer a self-catered room with a shared bathroom. The contract includes a £5,000 contents insurance, utility bills, cleaning and 24/7 security and support. These halls are on the University of Brighton’s Varley Park accommodation centre. There is no parking on this site.
Framfield and Kingston
Price from: £136 per week
These halls offer a self-catered single room with a shared bathroom for £136 or a shared room for £82. These halls are in Varley Park, and the contract covers contents insurance, utility bills, cleaning and 24/7 security and support. There is no parking on site.
Cliffe
Price from: £148 per week
These halls are self-catered only and are in Varley Park. They offer a single room with a shared bathroom. They also offer £5,000 contents insurance, utility bills, cleaning and 24/7 security.
Upland
Price from: £149 per week
Here you can sign up for a 39-week contract which covers £5,000 contents insurance, utility bills, cleaning and 24/7 security. The halls are self-catered and have a shared bathroom.
Phoenix Brewery Halls of Residence
Price from: £155 per week
These halls are self-catered only and are in the city. They also offer £5,000 contents insurance, utility bills, cleaning and 24/7 security.
University of Sussex
Park Village
Price from: £95 per week
These halls offer single rooms, flatlets or family flats. They have shared bathrooms, but the rooms have sinks in them. They also have a social room and a launderette. There are 12 people per house. Rent covers the usual contents insurance, cleaning, security and utility bills. The length of stay is 39 weeks for undergraduates, 51 weeks for postgraduates, and 52 weeks for families.
Norwich House
Price from: £115 per week
These halls offer single rooms with shared bathrooms and a sink in each room. There is not a social room or a launderette, but there are launderettes on campus and an on-site security team. There are 12 flatmates to a corridor. The rent covers utility bills, insurance and cleaning. The stay is 39 weeks.
Lewes Court Flats
Price from: £123 per week
These halls offer either shared rooms for £123 pw or en-suite for £160.40. There are shared kitchens but no launderette. There will be up to 6 flatmates, and the rent covers utility bills, contents insurance and cleaning, as well as security. The length of stay is 39 weeks for undergraduates or 52 weeks for families.
Brighthelm
Price from: £145.90 per week
These halls offer a shared bathroom and a single room with a sink in the bedroom. There will be five housemates, and the rent covers utility bills, security, cleaning and contents insurance. The length of stay is 39 weeks for undergraduates or 51 for postgraduates.
