Best Student Accommodation In Belfast

Where is Belfast in the UK?

Belfast is located in Northern Ireland, a country in the UK, which directly borders Ireland. The city’s population totals over 640,000 people, including over 49,000 students.

How much is student accommodation in Belfast?

Student accommodation rent costs in Belfast range from £85 - £225 per week. The cost depends on the provider and location. The average cost of student accommodation in Belfast is around 12% cheaper than the national average (we've tracked costs for private and uni halls over the last 12 months). 

What to do in Belfast as a student?

Students have lots they can do in Belfast when they aren’t studying. Botanic Park is the ideal spot for enjoying the sunshine, exploring outdoor exhibitions or a live concert in the summer. If it’s not sitting in Botanic Park with food and friends, students love to stroll down Botanic Avenue, where you can find many charity shops and small eateries. It’s perfect for grabbing a coffee, snack or an outfit for later in the evening.

Closeby to Queen’s University, students (and anyone!) can get free entry into the Ulster Museum. It’s a great place to get your art fix, or discover more about the local history of Belfast. Keep an eye out for any exhibitions or other free events here.

For the outdoorsy types, students can take the 30-minute train towards Bangor, to enjoy Helen’s Bay or Crawfordsburn Country Park. You can walk all the way from Bangor to Holywood along the North Down Coastal Path, right on the sea, with a great view of Cave Hill for the latter half of the walk. Cave Hill and Belfast Castle are also enjoyable places to visit, just a quick bus ride from the city centre. Walk up Cave Hill to enjoy panoramic views of Belfast and Belfast Lough. If you are looking for a day-trip adventure, students can get the train or bus to the North Antrim Coast, where you can enjoy Giant’s Causeway, explore Portrush or take a dip in the sea! There are also bus routes to Newcastle, which sits at the bottom of Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Northern Ireland. There are hundreds of hikes and walks to be enjoyed in The Mournes, or you can take a gentle stroll along Murlough Beach, with the mountains as a backdrop.

In the city centre, Belfast has a wide selection of shops, cafes and restaurants. This is ideal if you are looking for some shopping time, or need to buy a present for a friend. Students also enjoy night venues such as Limelight, Kremlin or Thompson’s. Looking for a bar with pool tables or comedy nights? Lavery’s is just a 10 minute walk away from Queen’s University, and has a more relaxed atmosphere for socialising.

Is Belfast safe for students?

Belfast is the second safest city in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, according to CrimeRate. Many people walk around the city throughout the day and evenings, making it feel much safer than other cities.

I love Belfast City cause it's quite safe and the cost of living here is pretty low compared to the other cities. - Student review of Belfast

Is Belfast expensive for students?

The cost of living in Belfast is 22.5% less expensive than London (Numbeo)

Where do students live in Belfast?

There is student accommodation and housing across the city, but some popular student areas in Belfast include: Botanic, Stranmillis, Lisburn Road, Holylands and the City Centre. Ulster University is in the north, whereas Queen’s University Belfast is south - regardless of the university, students commute to their lectures from all over Belfast, due to the smaller city size.

Where to eat in Belfast as a student?

Asides from buying food in the supermarket and cooking at home, some student eating out favourites in Belfast are Boojum, Maggie Mays, Town Square and Yangtze. The students’ union at Queen’s University Belfast has a popular deli which sells wraps and sandwiches all day. Most students choose to eat at their respective students’ union due to the subsidised prices, when compared to the rest of the city. However, Belfast has a wide variety of restaurants and takeaway cuisines if you have the budget for it. From chips and pizza, to Indian or Chinese - there is something for everyone.

Is Queen’s University Belfast good?

Queen’s University Belfast is currently ranked at #6 on the StudentCrowd UK University Rankings, showing what students think of studying there.

Is Ulster University Good?

Ulster University is currently ranked at #2 on the StudentCrowd UK University Rankings, showing what students think of studying there.

Been living in Belfast this past year? Review your accommodation here!