The largest city in southwest England, Bristol is perennially popular as a student destination. It has benefited from National Lottery funding and other grants to finance major regeneration projects and the city now buzzes with activity at the waterfront bars, restaurants, museums and art galleries. The thriving local economy means high prices and generally expensive accommodation. The rates are, however, fairly relative to other cities in the south of England. Bristol is on the whole welcoming to students, although pubs in the city centre tend to be more segregated.
Getting Around
Travel by car is not easy with parking both difficult and expensive. However, several park-and-rides in the city offer a cheaper alternative. Walking and cycling are preferable and the cycle tracks are good. Bristol has been named the UK's First Cycling City, with government grants in place to further improve cycling networks and facilities. There is an extensive and reasonably priced bus network. Travel cards are available. The Studentlink bus service operates during the week. London is 1 hour 45 minutes away by train. National Express operates coach links to many UK destinations. Bristol International Airport offers low-fare flights to many popular European destinations, as well as direct routes to New York, and Lufthansa is now offering three flights a day between Bristol and Frankfurt. Bristol's waterfront attractions are served by regular ferry services.
Attractions for Students
Sport: Bristol has two football clubs, City and Rovers, a premiership rugby club and Gloucestershire County Cricket Club which hosts one-day international matches. Tennis, swimming, ice-skating, golf, rowing and sailing are all available. Bristol Climbing Centre offers indoor climbing while the Avon Gorge is a popular venue for outdoor climbing.
Culture and nightlife: The city is well provided with cinemas, both multiscreens and independents. Cinema de Lux in Cabot Circus, Bristol's new shopping and leisure quarter, features 13 screens and state-of-the-art facilities, including an exclusive Directors' Lounge and an in-seat ordering service. The Bristol Old Vic theatre company is based at the Theatre Royal, whilst the Hippodrome is the venue for musicals, ballet and opera. The Hippodrome is the main theatre for Bristol, with regular West End shows. The Colston Hall is host to comedy, rock, pop and orchestral concerts and exhibitions. The Arnolfini and the Watershed Media Centre offer lively programmes of exhibitions, films and theatre. Explore-At-Bristol includes three interactive and hands-on attractions. A new world-class aquarium will showcase both native and tropical marine and freshwater creatures in naturally themed habitats. The aquarium is scheduled to open in summer 2009. Bristol Museum is another new project and will be located on the site of the former Industrial Museum. It is scheduled for opening in spring 2011, and will explore the city's history and culture. Bristol has an excellent range of pubs and clubs from the traditional to stylish late night bars. Student nights are offered at city-wide venues throughout, and a particularly vibrant scene can be found on the famous Park Street, Whiteladies Road and Waterfront area.
Shopping: Cabot Circus, Bristol's new £500m shopping and leisure quarter, offers over 100 high street retail stores, 15 major stores (including Harvey Nichols and House of Fraser), restaurants, cafes, 2,600 car parking spaces and a new 13-screen Cinema de Lux, all under one massive glass domed roof. The neighbouring Broadmead shopping area has been refurbished and improved and The Mall Bristol and the Mall at Cribbs Causeway offer all of the popular shops, stores and restaurants that you might expect on the high street. Park Street is useful for music and second-hand clothing. Clifton Village has many specialist, boutique shops, but some stores can be expensive. St Nicholas Market, established in 1743, has stalls selling a range of food, second-hand books, old clothes, CDs and a range of unusual and exotic goods. It also hosts an award-winning farmers' market every week and a Slow Food market at the end of each month.
Population: 450,000 Student population: 47,000
Proximity to the city centre: University of Bristol: campuses in the Clifton and Cotham area, close to the city centre. University of the West of England: 5 campuses; the main purpose-built Frenchay Campus lies about 4 miles north of the city centre.
Cost of Living - Facts for Students
Only 2% of students in Bristol spend over £300 a week, the lowest in the UK.
58% of students have a part time job due to the fact that it is too expensive not to have one.
Other bank loans contribute £119.29 to students in Bristol, the highest in the UK.
21% of students receive £200-£249 a week; the highest proportion in this category.
Facts are sourced from NatWest/RBS Student Living Index 2009, for more useful financial information from NatWest click here >
The largest city in southwest England, Bristol is perennially popular as a student destination. It has benefited from National Lottery funding and other grants to finance major regeneration projects and the city now buzzes with activity at the waterfront bars, restaurants, museums and art galleries. The thriving local economy means high prices and generally expensive accommodation. The rates are, however, fairly relative to other cities in the south of England. Bristol is on the whole welcoming to students, although pubs in the city centre tend to be more segregated.
