Student Accommodation near University of the West of England (UWE)

The University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is one of the best universities in the UK and welcomes thousands of students every year to become part of its vibrant and diverse student community. One of the main challenges students face even before arriving in the country is finding the right student accommodation in Bristol. Although there are several excellent options to choose from, like Canvas Bristol, Dean Street Works, and The Port On The Square, finding the best property based on your individual needs can be quite a hassle.

This is where University Living comes into the picture. With over a decade of experience in the international student accommodation industry, we have helped over 12 million students to date find the right student apartments around 640 cities worldwide. ULInfinity also helps students transition into a new phase of their life by providing critical services like international SIM cards, airport transfers, flight tickets, and forex. Some of the top neighbourhoods for student accommodation near UWE Bristol are Redland, Montpelier, Horfield, and Fishponds, and the starting rent for student homes is just £90 per week.

Student accommodation near the University of the West of England comes in various types, namely: University Student Halls, Student Housing (PBSAs), and Private Apartments. These property types are standard across all student accommodation in UK. UWE Bristol student halls are accommodations provided directly by the university, but they are quite limited in number and are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. For off-campus accommodation, students can choose from a range of room types, including En-Suite / Non-En-Suite, Studio apartments, 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and shared apartments.

Founded in 1595 as the Merchant Venturers Navigation School and granted university status in 1992, the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) is a public research university located in Bristol, England. The university has a strong reputation for academic excellence, industry-focused programmes, and outstanding graduate employability. The institution holds a Silver rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) and is consistently ranked among the top 60 universities in the UK (The Guardian University Guide 2025).

The university hosts a diverse student body of approximately 27,000 to 30,000 students, with a growing international population. Students from over 140 countries from all across the world are a part of the university. The university has several campuses across Bristol, including:

• Frenchay Campus

• City Campus

• Glenside Campus

• Bower Ashton Campus

The university is particularly famous for Bristol Business School and Bristol Law School, which are located in the state-of-the-art Bristol Business School building. UWE Bristol is also recognized for its Faculty of Environment and Technology (including Engineering, Computing, and Architecture), the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences (including Nursing and Biomedical Sciences), and the Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education. The university has strong industry links with partners including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, the NHS, and the BBC. Over 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA 2023).

Top-rated student housing near UWE Bristol includes Canvas Bristol, Dean Street Works, and The Port On The Square. While there's no shortage of options, not every property is the right fit for UWE students. The ideal accommodation should be close to campus, reasonably priced, and include utilities like electricity, water, gas, and Wi-Fi. Based on these standards, below highlighted are the top 5 student housing near UWE Bristol that tick every box and come highly recommended by students.

1. Canvas Bristol, Bristol

• Address: 29 Wilder St, St Paul's, Bristol BS2 8QA, United Kingdom

• Distance from University: Around a 12-minute bus ride from The University of the West of England

• Property highlights: Students get to have a 24 Hour On-Call Staff, an outdoor courtyard, and a barbeque.

• Best for: Students who are looking for accommodation with great transport connectivity and proximity to the university. This property also has some of the best studio apartments Bristol.

• Nearby attractions: Cabot Tower, Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, St Nicholas Market, and Bristol Cathedral

1. The Port On The Square, Bristol

• Address: 31 Surrey St, St Paul's, Bristol BS2 8FU, United Kingdom

• Distance from University: Around 12-minute bus ride from The University of the West of England

• Property highlights: Students get to use a laundry room, a games room, and a cinema room.

• Best for: Students looking for good amenities and are willing to pay a slightly higher rent, with proximity to the university

• Nearby attractions: Cabot Circus, Old Market, St Paul's Learning Centre, and Bristol Beacon

1. Dean Street Works, Bristol

• Address: Dean Street Works 13 - 19 Dean Street, Bristol, BS2 8SF

• Distance from University: Around 12-minute bus ride from The University of the West of England

• Property highlights: Students enjoy a games room, a pool table, and table tennis.

• Best for: Students who wish to stay in a PBSA with great amenities, on-site maintenance, and proximity to the university.

• Nearby attractions: St Nicholas Market, Old Vic Theatre, Queen Square, and Bristol Harbour

1. Phoenix Court, Bristol

• Address: Bond St S, Bristol BS1 3PH

• Distance from University: Around 12-minute bus ride from The University of the West of England

• Property highlights: Students enjoy a communal area, a vending machine, a printing machine, and a pool table.

• Best for: Best suited for students who love to pursue a hobby in their free time, and want to live close to the university

• Nearby attractions: Broadmead shopping area, Castle Park, St Nicholas Market, and Bristol Beacon

1. The Propeller Quarter

• Address: Fairlawn Rd, Montpelier, Bristol BS34 4AZ, United Kingdom

• Distance from University: Around 11-minute bus ride from The University of the West of England

• Property highlights: Students get a common lounge, a karaoke room, a cinema, and a meeting room.

• Best for: Students looking for affordable student flats in Bristol.

• Nearby attractions: Montpelier Park, Gloucester Road, St Andrews Park, and Redland Green

The cost of living for students near University of the West of England typically costs between £850 and £1,650 per month on living expenses. While the cost of living in Bristol is much less than that in London, it's quite an expensive city to live in. That said, with careful planning and a sensible budget, students can easily keep their monthly spending under £850. The table below outlines the main costs to expect while studying in Bristol.

Keep in mind these figures are estimates and will vary based on personal lifestyle choices. For a more tailored estimate of living costs near UWE Bristol, students can try University Living's dedicated Cost of Living Calculator.

The tuition fees at University of the West of England is another one of the major expenses for students. Domestic students pay up to £9,790 per year, while international fees are listed below:

Some of the best areas near University of the West of England for students include Redland, Montpelier, Horfield, and Fishponds. These neighbourhoods are located in close proximity to the university and therefore help reduce transportation costs for students. The best part about these areas is that they already have a well-established student community, so students can reach out to their peers in case of any emergencies or concerns. A brief overview of these neighbourhoods is provided below:

Fishponds

One of the best neighbourhoods for student accommodation near University of the West of England is Fishponds, and it is just a short 10-minute bus ride to the university. This is one of the most loved student areas in the city, and offers excellent amenities including supermarkets, local shops, and green spaces. One of the best places to visit in the neighbourhood is Eastville Park, which is a large green space with a lake, sports pitches, and walking paths, which is just perfect for study breaks and jogging. Another one of the most visited spots in the suburb is Snuff Mills, which is a scenic woodland and riverside park along the River Frome. Students love this place for walks and nature study breaks. The average rent for student properties in Fishponds ranges between £1200 and £1600 per month.

Horfield

Horfield is another one of the top neighbourhoods for student accommodation near University of the West of England, and it is just located a short 15-minute bus ride from the university. This area is known for its residential feel, calm environment, and good transport links. Horfield has several local pubs, independent shops, and supermarkets. One of the places to visit in the area is Horfield Common, which is a large public park with sports facilities, a bowling green, and plenty of open space for relaxing or playing sports. Another one of the most visited places in the neighbourhood is the Gloucester Road, which is Bristol's iconic independent high street, and is packed with vintage shops, cafes, pubs, and international food stores. The average rent for student accommodation in Horfield ranges between £1000 and £1500 per month.

Montpelier

One of the most sought-after neighbourhoods for University of the West of England student accommodation is Montpelier, and it is just a short 20-minute bus ride from the university. This is the cultural and creative heartland of Bristol, and is known for its vibrant street art, independent shops, live music venues, and alternative nightlife. This neighbourhood is just perfect for students who want to be surrounded by Bristol's creative energy and don't mind a longer commute to the university. One of the most famous places in the area are Stokes Croft Street Art, which is famous for its constantly changing murals, including works by Banksy, which you can explore on a self-guided walking tour. The rent for student accommodation in the locality ranges between £800 and £1200 per month.

Redland

One of the top neighbourhoods for affordable student accommodation near University of the West of England is Redland, and is located just a short 25-minute bus ride to the university. This is a more relaxed, residential neighbourhoods located just north of Bristol city centre, and is best suited for the students of the University of Bristol and UWE. This area offer a good balance of calm and social life, and hence is quite popular among students. One of the best places to visit in the neighbourhood is Redland Green, which is a large public park with a playground, and is just perfect for picnics, reading, and relaxing between lectures. The rent for student accommodation in Redland ranges between £600 and £1000 per month.

Bristol is home to over 460,000 residents, and to make daily commuting easier for students and residents in the city, Bristol has developed an extensive public transport network, which includes First West of England bus services and train services. These modes of public transport have been explained briefly below:

Bus Services

The bus services in Bristol are managed by First Bus and are the most convenient mode of public transit for students in the city. These services connect the campus to other major student neighbourhoods and places in the city. A single-term ticket for students is around £150, while an annual pass costs around £400. Students can also use the ULink bus service, which is a dedicated bus service by UWE, and connects the Frenchay campus with the main campus and Bristol city centre.

Trains

The train services near the University of the West of England are pretty quick and are managed and operated by the Great Western Railway. The train services provide fast and comfortable connections to the rest of the cities in the UK, including London, Birmingham, and Manchester. The train services in Bristol are used by students to visit neighbouring cities for vacations or just for recreational weekend trips.