Where do students usually live in Bournemouth?

Students in Bournemouth commonly live in areas such as Winton, Charminster, and Lansdowne, which are close to university buildings and everyday amenities. Some students also choose to live closer to the seafront or town centre, balancing access to lectures with Bournemouth’s coastal lifestyle.

How easy is it to travel between accommodation and university in Bournemouth?

Getting around Bournemouth is straightforward for students. Most accommodation areas are connected to university campuses by frequent bus routes, and many students walk or cycle for shorter journeys.

What is student life like in Bournemouth outside of term time?

Bournemouth has a noticeably seasonal calendar. During term time, the town has a lively student atmosphere with busy cafés, nightlife, and events. Outside of term, especially in summer, Bournemouth becomes more tourist-focused. Many students enjoy this balance, as it offers a lively academic year and a calmer environment for study during quieter periods.

Student Accommodation

Bournemouth

Looking for student accommodation in Bournemouth? You're in the right place. You'll find accommodation options for undergraduates, postgraduates, and international students studying in the city.

Bournemouth is a coastal city that is home to a modern university and offers an alternative to traditional urban settings. The accommodation listed here includes shared flats, private studios, and en-suite rooms, giving you the flexibility to compare options based on space, budget, and location.

The properties shown are relevant to students studying at The University of Bournemouth.

Accommodation is available in areas close to university campuses as well as in central neighbourhoods such as Lansdowne. Some students choose to live nearer to academic buildings, while others prefer areas with easier access to transport links, shops, and city life.

Student areas in Bournemouth include Winton and Charminster, each offering a similar local experience.

Across all properties, the basics are covered, including utility bills, Wi-Fi, and on-site support, helping students settle in and manage day-to-day living.

Details on each property are shown below, including room types, locations, and what is included.

1 Property in Bournemouth

BH1 2NT

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UNIVERSITIES IN BOURNEMOUTH

Bournemouth is one of the most pleasant places to study in the whole of the UK, with the pleasant outdoors all around, and the wonderful laid-back beach life. It might make for a hard study life (as you’d rather be elsewhere), but this casual vibe can be felt in both Bournemouth University and the Arts University Bournemouth, where boundaries are pushed and students are given the framework to study, learn, and be innovative at a pace that suits everyone.

BOURNEMOUTH UNIVERSITY

At Bournemouth University there is a proud tradition of teaching that goes back to the early 1900s. Since being granted university status in 1992 it has since grown into a campus with 19,000 students today. Over 2,500 of these students are from overseas, making for a cosmopolitan and inclusive campus with people arriving from over 130 countries in total.

The beautiful location of the university, and the very modern facilities on offer, makes Bournemouth University an incredibly attractive proposition for students, and the focus is definitely on providing a great location and the tools for students to maximise their potential.

With this in mind, you can see that there are loads of great work placement opportunities for all students, as well as life-changing overseas exchanges that allow students to live life to the full and experience different cultures. Some of the incredible hands-on learning facilities at Bournemouth University include a crime scene for forensic students to work real-life scenarios.

THE ARTS UNIVERSITY BOURNEMOUTH

The Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) provides the learning environment for creatives, a specialist arts university that is home to those looking to excel in art, performance, or media. There is always great collaboration between the different departments and courses, making the most of the facilities and teaching experience to ensure that students are broadening their horizons and thinking outside of the box.

The university is incredibly easy to reach from our comfortable Bournemouth student apartments, and you’ll find that you’ll quickly become an integral part of the community at the university, like everyone does. The single campus is a beacon of great design itself, and an inspiration to the creatives who study here, the campus itself won the RIBA South West Award in 2017.

It is clear how well-informed students from AUB are, they have access to some of the finest facilities for a specialist art university in the whole of the UK. There is The Gallery, which has collections from some of the major galleries and museums, and The Museum of Design in Plastics (MoDiP) is unique in its type.

This makes for an invigorating and inspiring environment for all students, and you know that you’ll get the chance to showcase your work in the final year alongside some contemporary designers and artists.

EATING OUT IN BOURNEMOUTH

If you are moving into your new home at one of our student accommodation in Bournemouth locations, one of the first things you’ll want to know about is where to eat, right? Eating out isn’t always practical when you’re a student, but in a small university town like Bournemouth, it can be a fantastic way to get those home comforts you miss, like your favourite meal, or where you can make new friends and find a community to belong to.

AMERICAN DINER

One of the best places to eat out in Bournemouth as a student is Sixty Million Postcards down on Exeter Road. This is where you go to get your American soul food fix. Expect to be served a massive plate of juicy burgers with plenty of different toppings and sauces, massive pints of craft beer, alongside the greatest of American diner starters. Alongside this, there is some great cocktail action to be had, and best of all it doubles up as a venue for live music and resident DJs, so you can make a proper night of it.

THE FINEST SEAFOOD

Another popular haunt for food with Bournemouth students is Urban Reef on The Overstrand, where you can find some of the finest examples of seafood on the south coast. Sit back and relax, looking out through the large glass-fronted café and knock back a delicious cocktail and some great Cornish mussels or Dorset rock oysters.

COMFORT FOOD

For laid-back, casual dining in a comfortable environment, there are a few of the ‘lounges’ chain in Bournemouth, with the Ludo Lounge a particular favourite. There are loads of great burgers and comforting food on the menu, as well as a ‘Cheeky Monday’ deal where you can get a free drink (or even a pudding) with your burger. Boscanova on Christchurch Road is hidden away on Boscombe High Street and is a simple café where you can get delicious food, most of which is vegan. It is the perfect way to relax and grab a light bite to eat during a day off.

FRESH WOOD-FIRED PIZZA

All students love pizza, don’t they? Moving into your new student accommodation in Bournemouth you’ll want to know where to get your cheesy fix and we’re here to tell you about Bournemouth Pizza Co on St Swithun’s Road, which is as cool as anything else in the town.

It’s got a communal vibe, with large tables where you can sit with friends, or get to know strangers, talking about the beautiful wood-fired pizzas being delivered to your table. The pizza dough is made fresh every day, the toppings are divine, and it is a truly special pizza place.

BOURNEMOUTH NIGHTLIFE

It might be a small town, but Bournemouth has plenty to offer when it comes to a student night out. From your comfortable home at our Bournemouth student apartments, you’ll be close to all of the action, and able to get home easy at night without the need for the cost of a taxi in most cases.

THE STUDENT UNION

The first place to start is with the Student Union at the University of Bournemouth. The Old Fire Station on Holdenhurst Road is one of the best places for a student night out in Bournemouth, with different themed club nights throughout the week that cater for all types of music taste.

There is also an interesting venue that plays host to live music, and theatre performance, comedy nights, and plenty of other events. The Grade II listed building is stunning, and the three rooms and four bars are the perfect place to get lost and make new friends when you first arrive as a student in Bournemouth, and you’ll likely still be heading down there regularly towards the end of your degree, it is that good.

THE BEST CLUB IN BOURNEMOUTH

Another student favourite in Bournemouth is Halo on Exeter Road, which is a clubbing experience like no other in this town. It is the premier venue for club nights’, and it is located within an old church. It has become an iconic venue not only in Bournemouth, but on the club scene nationwide, with the bar just a few minutes’ walk from the stunning beaches and the main area of the town centre. Expect big name DJs and a VIP vibe.

THE BIGGEST PARTY NIGHT OUT

The largest club in Bournemouth, however, can be found on Fir Vale Road, at Cameo. Cameo has four large rooms that are completely separate from each other, and it is here where you get the biggest mix of local party-goers and students. It works so well because there is something for everyone, with the Basement serving up classic urban music, and the Disco room playing classics. There are incredible light displays, great DJs, and a magnificent party going on here every single time.

A COMPLETE EXPERIENCE

Bar So, on Exeter Road, is a modern and very stylish venue. It is home to a restaurant, a big dance floor, a big bar, and private booths for the VIP experience. The heated patio outside also makes it a popular place all year round. This is the place where all the coolest people in town go for a big night out, and there is always an amazing atmosphere and buzz throughout the venue as the DJ gears up for the night.

Smokin’ Aces on the other hand takes the opposite approach, with no dress code, entry price, or VIP areas at the bar on Commercial Road. This is where you can see great live music, let your hair down, grab a few drinks, and just have a really good time!

SPORT IN BOURNEMOUTH

Sport is an important part of the life of many students. When you are living somewhere as beautiful as a student apartment in Bournemouth, you’ll realise that it is so easy to get outdoors. With so much potential for running, hiking, cycling, and swimming in a naturally beautiful area, as well as the football at Dean Court, and other spectator sports, you’ve no excuse but to get out there and enjoy it!

GO FOR A RUN

For those of you who like running (or if you are thinking about getting into running), there is no better place to be than a beautiful coastal town like Bournemouth. There are so many amazing parks, beaches, and outdoor space, as well as gyms and university sports facilities to take advantage of. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned runner, there is plenty to get stuck into, including a half marathon and 10k road race in the Bournemouth Bay Run every April, which is the best chance to run along the best coastline in the country.

UNIVERSITY SPORTS CLUBS

If you are looking to take part in university sport, there is loads going on. There are countless sports clubs and teams within the university, meeting all standards, from those just looking to maintain fitness, students looking to have fun and make new friends, as well as those aiming to compete at an elite level (you can even compete in the universities league).

FUN AT THE BEACH

The beach is a big part of Bournemouth life, providing seven miles of golden sand, that is perfect for a leisurely stroll, to cycle alongside, to run, or to take part in the wide range of watersports that are available along the coast. If you are into surfing, sailing, or anything else in between, you can get into the water quite easily from our Bournemouth student accommodation. Along the main beach there is also the world’s first zip line from the pier to shore – an experience like nothing else you’ll encounter whilst living in Bournemouth.

PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL

We can’t leave the sports in Bournemouth section without mentioning The Cherries. AFC Bournemouth play at Dean Court (The Vitality Stadium these days), and over the last decade have climbed from the bottom of the Football League to become a regular in the Premier League, winning plaudits at fans for the attractive way Eddie Howe’s team plays football. It is one of the better experiences of watching football in the topflight, so keep an eye on potential tickets and get yourself down there.

SHOPPING IN BOURNEMOUTH

When you first move to a new town as a student you’ll want to know where to go to fill up your cupboards, but also where you should be heading for some new threads, and where you can have the all-round shopping experience with big-brand names and high street stores that you know and love. From your Bournemouth student accommodation, you’ll have access to loads of great shopping.

TOWN CENTRE SHOPPING

Start with a visit into Bournemouth town centre. It is a small and accessible town centre, which is really easy to find your way around from your student apartment in Bournemouth. Most of the big shopping can be found in one area – Commercial Road and Christchurch Road, both with plenty of high street stores that you recognise, but also sitting comfortably alongside the plethora of independent stores and boutiques. Lansdowne and the Triangle are where you should head for more of a bohemian vibe.

THE HIGH STREET

The main high street shopping on Commercial Road and around the Old Christchurch Road area is the first port of call where you can become familiar with the shopping in Bournemouth.

There are some massive department stores in the town centre, as well as loads of big brands on the high street that you’ll recognise immediately, and help you to settle and find comfort in familiar things as you make your new student flat a home for the coming years.

THE DOLPHIN CENTRE MALL

The Dolphin Centre is a massive department centre and leisure experience in nearby Poole, with over 140 stores, whilst Castlepoint has late-night shopping and the largest outdoor shopping park experience anywhere in the UK.

It is easy to scoff at big brand shopping at times, especially if you want to get into more of an independent vibe and find your own voice when you first move away from home as a student, but there is always merit to first grounding yourself in something you know.

INDEPENDENT SHOPS

When you are ready to go take a look at some of the independent shopping in Bournemouth, there is plenty to shout about. There are many great vintage clothing stores, record shops, bookstores, arts and crafts, as well as antique shops, for you to explore. The main areas for this are the Triangle, Albert Road, Westover Road, Burlington Arcade, and Yelverton Road, whilst the Grand Victorian Arcade has some amazing hidden gems, including Bournemouth Colosseum (the smallest cinema in the UK with just 19 seats).

The shopping in Bournemouth is surprisingly big, wide, and varied when you consider the size of the town and the surrounding areas. It means that it makes for a town that is easy to settle in after you first move into your new student apartment in Bournemouth.

Students in Bournemouth commonly live in areas such as Winton, Charminster, and Lansdowne, which are close to university buildings and everyday amenities. Some students also choose to live closer to the seafront or town centre, balancing access to lectures with Bournemouth’s coastal lifestyle.
Getting around Bournemouth is straightforward for students. Most accommodation areas are connected to university campuses by frequent bus routes, and many students walk or cycle for shorter journeys.
Bournemouth has a noticeably seasonal calendar. During term time, the town has a lively student atmosphere with busy cafés, nightlife, and events. Outside of term, especially in summer, Bournemouth becomes more tourist-focused. Many students enjoy this balance, as it offers a lively academic year and a calmer environment for study during quieter periods.

Student Accommodation Bournemouth