The Best Places to Live in Southampton for Students

About the author: Hi I'm Destiny Kadima. I'm currently a child nursing student who loves to write and bake in their spare time. I'm here to be your on-the-ground Southampton guide and to make recipes for student life in Southampton: one part uni tips, two parts local gems, and a whole lot of fun.

Looking for the best places to live in Southampton as a student? Whether you’re starting university for the first time or returning for another year, choosing the right area can shape your entire student experience. This guide breaks down the top areas for student accommodation in Southampton, helping you find somewhere that suits your lifestyle.

Portswood student accommodation

A student favourite in Southampton

💸 Prices start from: £99 pppw*
🏠 House sizes: 1-8 bedrooms
🌟 Best for: social life, convenience and campus access

Portswood consistently ranks among the most popular student areas in Southampton. Its close proximity to the University of Southampton’s Highfield Campus makes it ideal for students, with the campus less than a 20-minute walk away.

Portswood Road is the heart of the area and a major reason students choose to live here. It is packed with cafés, takeaways, supermarkets and independent shops, making it perfect for everyday student living. Popular spots include Coffee #1, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Sprinkles, and many more. With frequent buses and everything you need on your doorstep, Portswood remains one of the best locations for student housing in Southampton.

Bassett student accommodation

Ideal for University of Southampton students

💸 Prices start from: £105 pppw*
🏠 House sizes: 1-8 bedrooms
🌟 Best for: a quieter student lifestyle close to campus

Bassett is another highly sought-after area for student accommodation near the University of Southampton, particularly for those studying at Highfield or Boldrewood Campus. The area has a more residential feel, making it popular with students who want a balance between university life and a quieter home environment.

Sports and engineering students are particularly drawn to Bassett because of nearby facilities, such as Southampton Sports Centre. The area also benefits from green surroundings, with Southampton Common just a short walk away. This makes it ideal for exercise, revision breaks or socialising during warmer months.

Bassett offers excellent transport links to the city centre while remaining a calm and practical base for students.

Southampton city centre student accommodation

Perfect for Solent University students

💸 Prices start from: £99 pppw*
🏠 House sizes: 1-7 bedrooms
🌟 Best for: city living and nightlife

If you’re studying at Southampton Solent University, living in Southampton city centre puts you right where you need to be. Lectures, libraries and university facilities are all within walking distance, making this one of the most convenient areas for student accommodation in Southampton.

The city centre is packed with shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. Westquay Shopping Centre is a major highlight, alongside a wide range of cafés and independent food spots. Students also benefit from a vibrant nightlife and cultural scene, with venues such as the Mayflower Theatre and the Nuffield Theatre. For students who enjoy fast-paced city living and a strong social scene, the city centre is hard to beat.

Read more about Southampton city centre in my guide here.

Highfield student accommodation

Live close to the University of Southampton campus

💸 Prices start from: £114 pppw*
🏠 House sizes: 1-8 bedrooms
🌟 Best for: minimising commute time

Highfield is home to the University of Southampton’s main campus, making it one of the most convenient places to live for students who want to be close to lectures and university facilities. Due to limited availability, student houses in Highfield are always in high demand.

Despite its campus focus, Highfield offers excellent transport links to Portswood and the city centre. One of its key assets is Southampton Common, the city's largest green space and a favourite spot for barbecues, sports, and relaxing with friends.

Highfield is ideal for students who want to be fully immersed in university life without sacrificing access to social and outdoor spaces.

Where's the best area to live in Southampton as a student?

The best area to live in Southampton depends on what you’re looking for. Portswood is ideal for social students, while Bassett suits those wanting a quieter lifestyle. Highfield is unbeatable for convenience, and Southampton city centre is perfect for Solent students and city lovers. Whether you prefer PBSA or student houses, Southampton offers a wide range of options to suit every student, making it a great place to live and study.

Find student accommodation in Southampton

Whether you want to live in student housing in near the University of Southampton or you're after somewhere that's on the doorstep of Solent Uni (like The Polygon), UniHomes is here to help you find student accommodation in Southampton that's perfect for – and with bills included, too.

All you need to do is check out the Southampton student properties on UniHomes website and use the filters at the top of each page to filter results by price, location.

*According to UniHomes (March 2026).

Our UniHomes Content Ambassadors are current students across the UK who share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. If you're interested in writing for our programme, click here for more details.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.