Southampton featuring highly in the 2019 NatWest Student Living Index offers a glimpse into how students living in Southampton are enjoying studying in the city. 

One of the main reasons is the city’s affordability for student living. You can capitalise on this by finding reasonably priced student accommodation in Southampton with Student.com. 

We offer lots of different options for student housing in Southampton, all from trusted property providers. Student.com has a very strict vetting process that carefully vets all the landlords we feature to ensure that our student housing options are all safe to use.

Get to know Southampton

From world-class education to a host of attractions, a thriving nightlife, a strong sense of history and heritage, Southampton is one of Britain’s cultural and commercial hotspots. 

The bustling coastal city with roots dating as far back as the Stone Age has grown into one of the most lively and cosmopolitan cities in Britain. Southampton’s long and cherished history is evident with just a quick walk around the city where you’ll see medieval walls nestled among modern developments which creates a unique waterfront environment.

With its double high tide making it easy for large ships to head in and out of the harbour, Southampton remains one of Britain's major ports and the current cruise capital of England. For example, The Titanic set sail from Southampton’s port on its maiden voyage in 1912.

Affordability

Southampton has a student living index score of 0.65, based on average monthly living costs and average monthly income which makes it the fourth-most affordable city for students according to the 2019 NatWest Student Living Index. 

The index factors all aspects of student life, from income and expenditure to how universities perform on mental health and wellbeing indicators. 

At an average expected price of £12.80, the city has the fourth cheapest meal out, while the expected cost of a typical night out of £14.80 is the seventh cheapest in the survey.

Students who enjoy going out will love to hear that the city is a magnet for entertainment and lifestyle events, including music concerts, theatre production, and festivals. What makes it even better is that the social hangout spots such as restaurants, bars, nightclubs and shopping malls are all within easy reach. 

Convenient location

Southampton’s convenient location makes travelling to Europe and beyond easy, either by ferry or from the nearby airport. London is just over an hour away, and Bournemouth, Portsmouth, and Winchester are in close proximity.

Economic hub

The fact that Southampton has a booming economy is further good news for prospective students. The birthplace of the Spitfire and fibre optics continues to be at the forefront of commercial innovation.

With more than 7,000 businesses operating, the city is an economic hub that provides job opportunities for university graduates. That’s why nearly 2,000 of them remain to seek career opportunities every year.

Things to do in Southampton for students

Southampton's year-round schedule of exciting events will leave students with plenty of things to do outside of study time.  

There’s Chinese New Year Celebrations, Seaside in the Square, pop and rock legends performing at St. Mary’s Stadium, the Southampton Marathon, intimate gigs, high profile art exhibitions and festivals galore. 

The city’s vibrant nightlife scene also provides plenty of pubs, bars and clubs, coffee shops and restaurants to suit all tastes.

Food

Southampton’s vibrancy and diversity are reflected in the bounty of restaurants in nearly any cuisine you can think of that can be found in the city. 

It’s home to award-winning restaurants that offer anything from hearty breakfasts and quick bites to lazy lunches, afternoon teas, fine dining, and bountiful buffets. 

Culture 

With some of the best art galleries in the UK outside of London, two major theatres, three cinemas, and plenty of festivals, concerts and events taking place year-round, there’s certainly enough in Southampton to keep even the most avid culture vulture satisfied.

Whether you’re seeking to find Southampton’s creative inspiration, enjoy an unforgettable night at the theatre or immerse yourself in the live music scene, it’s easy to get your culture fix in Southampton.

The city has long been a treasure trove for culture vultures but the newest jewel in its crown, the ‘Cultural Quarter’, is one of the city’s biggest developments in recent years. 

Home to venues like the SeaCity Museum (focusing on the city’s maritime history), the internationally renowned Southampton City Art Gallery (features works from Renaissance paintings to contemporary installations), and the Mayflower Theatre (the largest theatre on the south coast), provides an opportunity for visitors of all ages to sink their teeth into the hidden heritage and artistic side of Southampton. 

Universities in Southampton

The city is home to two large universities, the University of Southampton and Solent University.

The University of Southampton is ranked in the top one percent of the world’s universities (ranked 97th in the 2020 QS Global World University Ranking) and Solent University is well-known for its academic and sporting culture.

The University of Southampton is home to the world-class contemporary art gallery John Hansard Gallery and is a founding member of the Russell Group, a network of leading research universities.

Spanning business and law, the creative industries, engineering and technology, maritime, media, sport and tourism, Solent’s courses deliver a practical blend of career-focused tuition and real-world experience. 

Frequently asked questions about student housing in Southampton

How do I apply for a student flat in Southampton?

After choosing from our options of student flats in Southampton, go to the property page and click ‘Enquire’ or ‘Book Now’ then leave your contact details so that one of our booking consultants can call you and take you through the next steps. 

When everything is set up, we’ll send you your rental contract to sign.

What are the different room types you offer?

We currently offer three different types of student rooms in Southampton.

A Shared Room has two or more people sharing the same bedroom while other living spaces, like kitchens, bathrooms and living rooms are shared with occupants of other rooms.

A Private Room offers a private bedroom and shared additional facilities like kitchen. Depending on the property, the bathroom might be private or shared.

An Entire Place will give you a fully self-contained property - your bedroom and all other facilities in your student flat are just for you. Perfect if you don’t want to share living quarters with other people.

Is it safe to rent private student accommodation instead of living in student halls?

We carefully vet all the landlords we feature and only list properties from trusted student accommodation providers. Staying in a student house rented from a well-known accommodation provider ensures that you’ll have a great living experience during your years at university.

What bills are included in the rent?

Typically all bills are included in your rent but it depends on the property. So make sure that you check if the accommodation you’re interested in has all bills included or not. You can see this by clicking on the property you’re interested in and checking the information on the property page. Alternatively, you can give us a call and our booking consultants will be happy to give you more information on the properties you’ve got your eye on.

Can you arrange a viewing for me?

If you don’t feel comfortable booking your chosen student accommodation without seeing it first our booking consultants will be happy to arrange a viewing for you. Just give us a call and we’ll get it sorted.