Brighton Student City Guide 2026: Life, Living, Housing & Leisure

Brighton is an amazing seaside city situated on the south coast of England. Just an hour away from London, the town gives an incredible bohemian vibe. While the city is filled with a diverse culture and the Royal Pavilion, only a few people know that the beach once played a very important role as a historic oyster hub for the community. The city is home to some of the famous universities, like the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton, attracting students from all over the world. The town offers a youthful energy with its large student population, coastal gem pulses, colourful piers, graffiti lanes, indie shops, and more! In addition to the beautiful beaches and piers, there are also cliff tops for hiking, hidden pebble beaches, etc. Brighton combines surf culture and academic opportunities.  

If you are looking to relocate to a seaside city in the UK, Brighton is an excellent option. It is situated approximately an hour away from London, and it comes with a bohemian vibe. A lot of people know the city for its diverse culture and the Royal Pavilion Museum. Still, the beach is a highlight that the rest should know about, particularly its role as a historic oyster hub for the community.

Why Students Should Move to Brighton?

Brighton always ranks among the UK's best student cities, due to its culture, career opportunities, and low-key affordability. Unlike London or Manchester, living costs in Brighton let you live peacefully without breaking the bank. Students prefer Brighton for below reasons. 

• World-class universities with programs in creative arts, technology, and sciences.
• Massive Pride events and global food scenes.
• Super-safe neighbourhoods. 
• Iconic beach sports like paddleboarding and volleyball.
• Affordable lifestyle as compared to other bigger UK cities, with epic sunsets. 

This Brighton student city guide for international students shows it's perfect for introverts who like to chill in gardens, party-goers, or professionals who want to get into Brighton's booming startups.

Note: Brighton was the first city in the UK to host a major LGBTQ+ Pride in the year 1973. 

Best Neighbourhoods in Brighton, UK

Neighbourhoods impact your Brighton student life in a major way. As one of the UK’s most loved coastal cities, Brighton stands for its academic excellence and amazing lifestyle. Whether you prefer to live near the sea or in a quieter residential area, this guide shows some of the best neighbourhoods to live in Brighton for students. 

1. North Laine – North Laine is a neighbourhood in central Brighton. It is located at a distance of 5 to 10 minutes by car from the University of Brighton's City Campus and 15 minutes from the University of Sussex at Falmer. There are independent shops, street art, cafes, and vintage stores. The average monthly rent ranges from £900 to £1,400, due to the high demand, and an excellent walkability of 85 out of 100.

2. Kemptown (Kemp Town) – Situated to the east of Brighton centre, Kemptown is about 10 minutes by car to the University of Brighton City Campus and a 20 to 25-minute car drive to the University of Sussex. It offers a serene seaside feel with beaches, LGBTQ+ friendly bars, cafes, and Victorian architecture. The average monthly rent costs from £850 to £1,300, due to its coastal charm and proximity to the pier.

3. Hove – Hove has Brighton city located to the west. It takes 15 minutes car drive from this place to the University of Brighton City Campus and 20 minutes by car to the University of Sussex. Hove has beautiful Georgian townhouses, wide beaches, parks, and a calmer vibe. Average monthly rent ranges from £800 to £1,300, with quieter residential streets, good bus links, and great facilities.

4. Preston Village – Preston Village is located in the north of central Brighton. From here, it just takes around 10 to 15 minutes by car to reach the University of Brighton Moulsecoomb Campus and 20 minutes to reach the University of Sussex. There is the Preston Manor, parks, local pubs, and a village atmosphere. Average monthly rent here costs from £750 to £1,200.

Cost of Living in Brighton

Brighton's cost of living shines for value, costing less than cities like Bristol or London, with beach perks included. Expect to spend from £1,250 to £1,750 per month, as mentioned in this Brighton student city guide. The Brighton student city guide charges vary by shared and solo living, also providing proximity to universities. Below is the breakdown of weekly expenses for the cost of living in Brighton for students. 

• Rent: £180 to £3,20 per week
• Groceries: £40 to £70 per week
• Transportation: £20 to £70 per week
• Utilities: £25 to £40 per week
• Internet: £8 to £15 per week 
• Leisure & Social Activities: £40 to £75 per week 

Cost-Saving Tips – Shop at supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl for £50 per week; Students can use the Too Good To Go app for £3 to £5 for surplus meals. Take advantage of NUS discounts at supermarkets that are 10 to 20% off. Students can cycle using the free Beryl e-bike trials, or try beachcomb to get the free firewood BBQs. 

Note: Brighton's new Student Sustain Scheme offers £50 to university students as quarterly vouchers for eco-shops. Students can shop at affordable markets like Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Open Market Brighton. The Brighton city guide suggests sharing student housing, using a Key Smartcard through the myBrighton&HoveBuses app, railcards, and university travel discounts as much as possible, which can help reduce unwanted expenses. 

Student Housing in Brighton

This guide for Brighton city United Kingdom, shows diverse, affordable student housing in Brighton for students living at university campuses. As stated in this Brighton student city guide for on-campus housing, the options include university-managed halls, private rentals, shared terraces, and purpose-built student accommodations (PBSAs). The off-campus options provide flexibility, cost savings, sea views, and bike storage, while platforms like amber offers 100% verified listings that are fully furnished, virtual tours, and no-deposit deals. 

On-Campus Housing: The university dorms at Sussex and Brighton form a major part of the Brighton student city guide for on-campus housing, offering a friendly social atmosphere, 24/7 security, and monthly rents ranging from £600 to £900. Both the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex offer modern halls of residence with furnished rooms, utilities included, and social spaces.

Off-Campus: According to the Brighton student city guide for housing, off-campus housing offers flexibility, privacy, and independence. Many apartments come fully furnished with study rooms, gyms, and communal areas. Global student housing platforms like amber help students browse, compare properties, book rooms in advance, and secure an apartment just before arriving. Below are some of the best properties offered by amber, according to this Brighton student city guide for housing. 

1. Student Castle Brighton, Brighton from £319 per week
2. Britannia Study Hotel, Brighton from £308 per week
3. Kaplan Living Brighton, Brighton from £280 per week

Below are some properties that cost less than those mentioned above, but offer the same convenience.

1. Pavilion Point, Brighton  from £240 per week
2. Vogue Studios, Brighton from £250 per week
3. Moulsecoomb Place, Brighton from £175 per week

Food & Nightlife in Brighton 

This Brighton student city guide for food and dining highlights the dynamic food scene, mixing the fresh seafood, street eats, and global flavors from vegan hotspots to fish 'n' chips stalls. Beachfront eateries are in high demand during the warm days, while game days near the Amex Stadium attract pop-up grills and craft beer tents for Sussex Falcons fans. For weekday lunches, students prefer the North Laine food markets. Below are some top dining spots to explore.  

1. Food for Friends: This veg restaurant on Prince Edward Street offers seasonal menus from the local Sussex produce. Meals cost from £15 to £28, and are great for date nights or group brunches.​
2. The Olive Tree: This spot provides fine dining options in The Lanes with modern British dishes like the Sussex charcuterie. One can expect to spend between £20 and £35 per person.​
3. Chin Chin Labs: This is an ice cream lab located on the Brighton Marina, as per the Brighton student city guide for food and dining, which serves nitrogen-frozen flavours with diverse toppings. Treats offered here cost from £6 to £12.
Unknown fact: Brighton's Underground Kitchen WWII tunnels once hid a secret printing press for the resistance pamphlets. This place now stands as a famous pop-up dining spot with tours that charge £5 for students. This city has vegan, vegetarian, and seafood specials. 

This Brighton student city guide for nightlife highlights some of the best spots below that are perfect for students. 

1. Chalk: This is an Indie venue filled with live gigs, events, DJ nights, and student deals on £4 pints. This place is open till 2 am on weekends. ​
2. Concorde: This is a beachfront club that hosts EDM legends and foam parties. Entry fee here costs from £10 to £20, and drinks cost from £6 to £10. ​
3. Patterns: As one of the hidden gems mentioned in this Brighton student city guide for nightlife, this place costs £3 for entry, and you also get to enjoy the electro sets. 

Transportation and Getting Around Brighton

Travelling in and around Brighton is easier due to its public transport services. Cycling and walking are the most preferred options near the University of Brighton and University of Sussex campuses. According to the Brighton student city guide for transportation, here are the most affordable options.

1. Brighton & Hove Buses: These buses form the main part of the transport services around the city centre, university campuses, Hove, and coastal spots like Brighton Pier. Students studying at the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex get 20 to 50% discounts using the NUS cards or university partnerships. The daily passes cost £4.50, and the monthly passes cost £60. The 5B and 5X are main routes that are free for university students during term time.

2. Public Trains (Southern & Thameslink): Govia Thameslink Railway services operate frequently from Brighton station to London. There are railcards for 16 to 25-year students that offer fares by 1/3rd. The Brighton-London charges during the off-peak season cost £10. Oyster and Contactless work seamlessly.

3. Intercity Coaches (National Express & Stagecoach): These coaches travel long distances from Brighton Coach Station or Preston Circus to London Victoria, costing £5 to £15 for 2 to 3 hours. Heathrow and Gatwick airports cost £10 to £25. There are student discounts available through apps or with the help of an NUS card, which can save 10 to 20%. The Megabus offers budget fares starting from £3.

4. Taxis & Rideshares (Uber, Bolt, local black cabs): According to this Brighton student city guide for transportation, taxis and rideshare services are more suitable for late-night travel to clubs on West Street or airport runs to London Gatwick (20-30 mins, £25 to 40). City rides cost £5-12; student surge pricing is common on weekends, but apps show real-time deals.

5. E-Scooters & E-Bikes (Forest, Voi, Lime): Students benefit from rentals on seafront, North Laine, and university campuses, costing £1 unlock + £0.20-0.30 per min. University apps offer free 10 to 30 min rides for students.  Helmets are compulsory, and these zones skip hilly areas.

6. Walking, Cycling & Bike Shares (Nextbike/Dr Bike): Students can easily walk from the university campus to beach areas in less than 20 mins. There are flat paths to Devil's Dyke. Bike rides cost £1 for unlock + £0.10/min, £20 for an unlimited monthly pass for students. University provide free repairs and parking.

Top Universities in Brighton

1. University of Sussex: This university was founded in the year 1961 as a flagship plate-glass university. It ranks among the UK's top 20 institutions for research excellence. The strong programs offered by the university are physics, international relations, neuroscience, and psychology. 

2. University of Brighton: Established in 1992, this university stands out for its academic and employment opportunities. The courses include architecture, fashion design, pharmacy, and digital media across City, Moulsecoomb, and Falmer sites. 

3. Brighton College: Founded in 1845, this college ranks among Britain's top 10 co-educational schools for A-Level and GCSE results. It excels in fields such as sciences, humanities, arts, and sports, preparing students for Oxbridge and global universities. 

Things To Do in Brighton & Top Attractions 

Beyond the normal academic lectures, Brighton has murals, music, and mysteries. According to this Brighton city guide, the city offers seaside charm and culture, making student life in Brighton UK, interesting and relaxed. The city has a pebble beach, which is quite popular, colourful streets, and a creative atmosphere, with museums, galleries, theatres, and live music venues spread across the entire town. Weekends in Brighton mean walking along the Brighton Pier, exploring the Lanes for the city’s vintage finds, cycling along the seafront, or enjoying affordable meals at cafés and great street food spots near the beach.

Students can start their day by drinking coffee from a café or with a walk across the University of Brighton or Sussex campuses. Students can spend their afternoons discovering the best things to do in Brighton, UK. They can study at libraries, visit the Brighton Museum & Art Gallery, or rest in Preston Park and Stanmer Park. During evenings, the city organises live gigs, events, comedy shows, and beachside pubs, while areas like North Laine and the seafront shine with student-friendly nightlife.

The Brighton Student City Guide shows popular attractions such as the Royal Pavilion and the iconic Brighton Marina. The seafront and North Laine remain as the main social hubs, offering people live music, independent cinemas, casual bars, and late-night cafés where students can chill and connect. The Brighton attractions and places to visit include some of the hidden places, like the Devil's Dyke, Ouse Valley Viaduct, which is an abandoned railway viaduct for taking pictures. Peacehaven's Hidden Cove is a spot that features a pebble beach, best for sunset swims. 

Note: "Brighton Tech Fest" offers students free VR workshops. Gameday traditions? Sussex Uni's "Falmer Frenzy" tailgates rival football riots.  

As per the Brighton city guide, the city offers students a dream student life that has excellent education, low costs, and endless adventures. With excellent transport, diverse food, active nightlife, and strong academic institutions, Brighton stands out as one of the best student cities in the UK. 

#Lifestyle#Housing

Follow us on