📍 South West England

Cost of Living in Bristol
for International Students

Updated April 2026 · Based on real student spending data · Creative, techy city — strong for careers but costs more than average

Bristol is about 30–40% cheaper than London, but more expensive than northern UK cities. Most international students in Bristol spend between £1,005 and £1,480 per month on rent, food, transport, and basic living costs.

Shared rent

£650–£950

Food / month

£200–£300

Transport

£85

Monthly total

£1,005–£1,480

Full Monthly Budget Breakdown

ExpenseRangeNote
Rent (shared room)£650–£950Most students share
Rent (studio/own flat)£900–£1,200Single occupancy
Food & groceries£200–£300Cooking most meals
Public transport£85Monthly pass
Utilities & internet£70Bills share + broadband
Entertainment / social£70–£160Occasional going out
Monthly Total£1,005–£1,480Shared room

💼 Can Part-Time Work Cover Your Costs?

Part-time earnings

£1,040

20hrs/wk @ £12/hr

Min living cost

£1,005

Survival mode

Monthly gap

+£35

Surplus

Working the legal maximum of 20 hours/week during term time at Bristol's average wage of £12/hr earns approximately £1,040/month gross (before tax). This covers your minimum living costs with £35 to spare.

🎯 Bristol Student Money Tips

  • 1

    Bedminster, Southville, and Bishopston offer cheaper rents than the centre

  • 2

    Bristol has a huge aerospace sector (Airbus, Rolls-Royce) — strong for engineers

  • 3

    The tech scene (Hargreaves Lansdown, SETsquared) is excellent for CS students

  • 4

    St Nicholas Market in the city centre has cheap lunch options (£3–5)

  • 5

    Cycling is free and the city is very bikeable — save on transport costs

Free tool

Calculate Your Real Monthly Cost

Enter your course, city, and lifestyle. Get a personalised ROI simulation with worst, realistic, and best-case scenarios.

Your tuition

£15,000/yr

Living in Bristol

£1,005–£1,480/mo

Part-time offset

~£1,040/mo

Calculate my real ROI →

Free · No sign-up · Takes 3 minutes

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristol good for tech students?+
Yes — Bristol has a thriving tech and aerospace sector. Major employers include Airbus, Rolls-Royce, and numerous tech startups. UWE and University of Bristol both have strong industry connections.
How does Bristol compare to London for students?+
Bristol is 30–40% cheaper than London and has a more relaxed, creative atmosphere. The job market is smaller but focused on high-quality tech, aerospace, and creative industries.

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