Bristol City Guide
Bristol is a vibrant city in the southwest of England with nearly half a million people and home to two universities: the University of Bristol and the University of West England (UWE).
As it is home to not one but two universities, Bristol is a brilliant student city to live in, and a place you are sure to make great memories. Whilst the two universities make use of different parts of the city for their buildings and accommodation, they share the city centre where you can find a variety of restaurants, bars and activities.
In this handy guide, we will cover the essentials from nightlife to transport links, so you can get a feel of what Bristol has to offer…
Universities
Having two universities and over 50,000 students, the two are not afraid of a little friendly rivalry. Both institutions have a strong reputation, with UoB ranking 15th and UWE sitting at 48th place in the Sunday Times University Ranking last year. However, different courses and therefore experiences are offered.
As a Russell Group university, UoB offers more academic and traditional degrees, such as medicine and engineering. On the other hand, UWE offers more practical courses such as architecture and creative industries. UoB is also located in the city centre, whereas UWE is spread across multiple campuses around the city.
Hopefully, you know which one is more for you, and can enjoy the city whichever avenue you choose to take!
Student Areas and Accommodation
Student accommodation is quite different between each of the universities due to where they sit within the city. Another reason is because UWE is a campus university and UoB is not.
UoB has its first-year accommodation dotted about the city, with its two main areas being Stoke Bishop and City Centre. The City Centre accommodations are just as the name suggests, in the city centre! However, don’t disregard the Stoke Bishop accommodation options as they are only a short bus ride away (free and running until 4am) so you won’t miss out on any of the city’s action.
With UWE, as it is a multi-campus university, that will impact where your accommodation is as different subject areas are put together. The campuses are: Frenchay, City and Glenside. Some will be further away from the centre than others, but again, that is nothing a quick bus ride can’t fix!
You may have heard that some cities have a dedicated area that students tend to live in after the first year. However, Bristol is more relaxed, and students live all over the city. It is personal preference – you can live in the city centre if your budget is higher and you want to be close to everything, or if you want a quieter life then further out may be better. Typically students will live across areas such as Clifton, Redland, Stokes Croft and then the north of Bristol. However, new accommodation is opening up constantly across the centre, and Bedminster. Each has a reputation and stories to tell. Whilst you can stay in university accommodation, many choose this time to move into houses or flats with their friends and course mates. Private halls and studios are also available and these are most likely in the centre.
Getting around
With public and university bus links, multiple train stations and the infamous e-scooters, Bristol is easy to get around. Also, you can pretty much walk anywhere – just prepare yourself for all the hills!
Bristol boasts over 13 train stations, including the oldest and biggest station called Temple Meads. Some are obviously bigger and more mainline than others, but it really helps to connect the different sections of the city up. Bristol also boasts its own airport! With only one terminal, it may not host worldwide trips, but it is great for those European summer trips with your university friends!
Food and drink
One of the best parts of going to a new city is figuring out what your go-to bar is or your favourite restaurant. But here is a little head start so you know what to look for on your first visits:
Food:
- Batida: A gorgeous Mexican restaurant that also offers a great happy hour! What’s not to love
- Pizzarova: A Bristol staple, serving fresh homemade pizzas with two locations.
- Sandwich Sandwich: Boasting multiple stores across the city, SS went viral for their massive sandwiches and scotch eggs. Think of a meal deal, but times 100!
Drinks:
- The White Bear: Student deals, retro interiors and comedy club all in one.
- Kings Street: A street home to loads of different pubs, with outdoor seating. A pint here is a must on a summer’s day.
- Steam: A rite of passage to have a pint glass in your flat from here. Serving great cider and other drinks with different deals available.
As businesses know there are a lot of students in Bristol, they will often put on student events or offer discounts. Keep your eye out for these, often on their social media pages.
Nightlife
Bristol is not shy when it comes to a night out, with a broad range of nightclubs and bars to spend your evenings in. Unlike other universities, neither offer much at their student unions but there is plenty going on elsewhere…
Although the city might be known for its drum and bass and similar music styles, don't worry there is something for everyone! Try Lakota and Motion for drum and bass, Thekla and Mr Wolfs for more indie tunes and Lola Los for the cheesy pop hits. If all else fails, SWX has multiple rooms so there will be something for everyone!
Study spots
Both universities offer state-of-the-art study facilities such as libraries and study centres. Within these there will be group study areas and silent parts – have a play around and see where you focus the best!
Some students choose to study in cafes instead, for a more relaxed environment. Have a look at what is near your accommodation or lecture halls for where you could pop in for a drink, snack and study sesh!
Top Tip: If studying in an independent coffee shop, have an eye out for signs as some operate ‘Laptop Free Zones’ to ensure there is room for all customers!
Local amenities
Depending on where you are living, you will be close to one of many supermarkets and shops. These can be accessed by bus or walking if your arms are feeling strong that day! Additionally, both universities have shops near their buildings, so you can pop in for a meal deal on your way past!
Both universities have their own gyms and swimming pools, offering classes and activities. If you are part of a sports society, it may make sense for you to use these. Alternatively, many chain gyms also have branches such as PureGym and The Gym Group, so compare locations and pricing to see which is best for you.
We also recommend registering with your local GP. Whilst you are probably already registered at home, most of your time will be in Bristol, so it is best to have a doctor set up for here. Both universities have a student health facility which you can register for, to give you peace of mind that there is somewhere to go if this is needed.
Final Remarks
If you end up in Bristol for university, rest assured that the vibrant city full of music and good food, will make your time memorable! Make the most of the discounts and try as many restaurants as you can, go on the walks, visit the museums! Moving to a new city can be overwhelming but sticking to boring chain restaurants and staying inside will get you nowhere – get out there and immerse yourself in the beautiful city of Bristol!
