UniHomes guide to

Brighton

Uni Life in Brighton

Brighton student life​ provides an iconic seaside resort location, settled on England's south coast, directly below London. Mostly formed from the overlap of two towns, Brighton and Hove, it's one of the largest cities in the south of England and is famed for its party atmosphere. The city is spread down a beachfront, with a huge beach and a terrific pier that extends into the sea. Lovers of the beach, a good night out, a great atmosphere or just about anyone can find University of Brighton student life fantastic.
The University of Brighton has its main campus in the city centre, a short walk from the beach, and secondary campuses in the nearby villages of Moulsecoomb, Falmer, and Eastbourne. The University of Sussex is also HQ'd in Falmer and is less than half an hour away from the city centre by bus. Each of these is serviced by on-campus student accommodation, so you'll be able to find somewhere nice and convenient no matter which campus you study on.

Key reasons to study in Brighton

  • 1
    Incredible nightlife

    You’ll like Brighton student life​ if you like a big night out. The club scene is well-stocked and diverse, with a bit of something for everyone. Outside of the biggest, most recognisable national chains like PRYZM, pop fans will have a blast at Volks Club and Patterns. Fans of house, EDM and DnB will enjoy The Arch, and live music heads should check out Concorde 2 and Chalk.

  • 2
    An inclusive space

    Speaking of parties, Brighton is well-known for being Britain's premier LGBTQ+ destination, known as the birthplace of Pride events. Kempton, its Gay Village, is stacked with inclusive bars, eateries, and more; the drag performances at Ironworks Studio aren’t to be missed!

  • 3
    Arts and culture

    With the vibrant and diverse party scene in mind, Brighton has so much more to offer students in the way of arts and culture. Brighton has its own Fringe festival, bringing comedy, theatre, and art shows from all over the world for a week. The city has a long history of street art, with public art visible pretty much year-round, and more art events and showcases on at the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery or the Phoenix Art Space.

  • 4
    The beach and pier

    For those warmer months, there's no beating Brighton's miles of beachfront, one of the top Instagrammable spots. This well-known seaside resort’s promenade features a wealth of shops, bars, cafés and activities for you and your friends to enjoy. Yellowave, a beach-specialist sports centre, hosts volleyball, beach football, and many other sports. If you fancy a change of pace from the usual student parties, Brighton Pier is stuffed full of attractions, with fairground rides and arcades.

  • 5
    Range of student homes

    Whether you're at the University of Sussex up in Falmer or one of the two University of Brighton campuses, Brighton has student accommodation for you. The most popular city centre hotspots are Kemptown (the gay district), Hollingdean (one of the sought-after student areas) and Elm Grove (virtually on top of the UoB city campus). Falmer itself is stacked with student homes for Sussex students, so you'll be able to find a house within a short walk of campus, no matter where you study.

  • 6
    A well-connected city

    Brighton student life​ is made easier with its excellent public transport links. The buses here run an extensive network between the universities and the city centre, so you never have to worry about getting to class late. While Brighton is hilly, there are wide cycle lanes available for bikers, and there are bike-share schemes available. The train station can get you into London in just 60 minutes in some cases, perfect for anyone requiring an airport or wanting to explore a bigger city.

Brighton has a great balance of uni and social life. There are so many reasons to study in Brighton as well; there's great public transport in and out of the city, there are plenty of restaurants and activities to enjoy and, lastly, the seafront. I would say that the best restaurant in Brighton is Fatto A Mano so definitely check that out!

Brian C Brand Ambassador

Universities in Brighton

University of Brighton

Picture of University of Brighton

The University of Brighton attracts over 20,000 students to the city every year and is split across three campuses. Each one has its own quirks and atmosphere, building a vibrant student community in each.

University of Sussex

Picture of University of Sussex

With more than 16,000 students attending each year, The University of Sussex is one of the best places to study for any student along England's south coast. It is renowned for its research, with the majority categorised as ‘world leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. 

Student Life in Brighton

Frequently Asked Questions

Hopefully, our Brighton guide for students has shown you just how brilliant life can be for those studying at the University of Brighton or Sussex. With varied nightlife, a beautiful beachfront that draws people from all over the country, and culture for all to enjoy, this southern city has it all.
Brighton student life​ provides a diverse and inclusive nightlife, with a strong LGBTQ+ scene, clubs and bars to suit every genre taste, and various hotspots, from Kemptown and Brighton Seafront to The Lanes.
October is the best time to start looking for student accommodation in Brighton. Properties will be available until February, but we would recommend starting a search for a property during the autumn. The most popular student areas in Brighton include Moulsecoomb, Elm Grove and Lewes Road.
UniHomes has a property search tool which displays hundreds of student properties in Brighton, all with bills included. Sign up to our mailing list so that you can be notified of new properties going live.
Tenancy periods in Brighton usually last for 12 months. Most contracts will start on the 1st July and end on the 30th June the following year. Occasionally, letting agents may offer tenancy periods that last for 10 or 11 months, starting in August or September. You can always enquire with the letting agent to find out how long your contract length will be.
Deposits are usually either 4 or 5 week's rent. The maximum legal amount a landlord can charge your for a deposit is 5 week's rent. You’ll get your deposit back when you move out of the property. That said, if the landlord is still owed outstanding rent or needs to pay for repairs to damage within the property, they may take deductions from the deposit to cover the costs.
UniHomes accommodation in Brighton usually costs £124 – £268 per person, per week. This price includes the cost of all bills you'll need to pay, which you won't always see on other student accommodation websites. Check out the full range of student accommodations available in Brighton.

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