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Belfast is the vibrant and exciting capital city of Northern Ireland. Its cultural offerings, fascinating history and iconic nightlife make it a popular choice for students. There’s plenty to do in the city no matter what you’re into, and the affordable rental prices mean you’ll have some spare cash to enjoy everything Belfast has to offer. Keep reading for our guide to being a student in Belfast, with transport, accommodation and nightlife information as well as more about the two unis in the city.
CONTENTS
- Student activities in Belfast
- Nightlife in Belfast
- Student accommodation in Belfast
- Transport in Belfast
- Student costs in Belfast
- Universities in Belfast
Student activities in Belfast
There are plenty of things to do in Belfast no matter what you’re up for. The city’s creative heart, Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter, is a great starting point. It’s packed full of art galleries, restaurants, pubs and clubs to take you from day to night. For a relaxing walk the day after a night out in the Quarter, check out the Botanic Gardens. It’s free to enter, and great for wandering around and exploring the exotic plants in the beautiful Palm House conservatory. The Gardens also host concerts and other events, with Olly Murs and the Sugababes lined up for 2023.
If you’re a fan of history (or the legendary 1997 movie), visit the Titanic Belfast museum that stands majestically on the shipyard where the ship herself was built. Fascinating exhibitions, recreated rooms and original artefacts tell the story of this doomed vessel, and if you book in advance there are great deals on student tickets.
Sports lovers don’t need to look far, as Windsor Park here in Belfast is the national football stadium of Northern Ireland. Take a behind the scenes tour of the stadium, or go to see a domestic or international game.
Check out our guide to the top ten things to do in Belfast
Nightlife in Belfast
The Filthy Quarter is a popular student pick with its four venues and six bars. There’s a three-room nightclub, cocktail bar, secret garden and craft beer bar, so whatever kind of night you’re after you’ll find it here.
Cuckoo is another student favourite. This bar, arcade and nightclub hosts a variety of events like quiz nights, pool and karaoke, perfect for bonding with new pals.
If you’re into live music, Limelight is known for gigs, concerts and epic student club nights. The Black Box has a diverse lineup of live music, as well as comedy, theatre, spoken word and festivals.
Student accommodation in Belfast
Choosing where to live at uni is an important decision. Many students decide to stay in halls of residence for their first year, which are usually run by your chosen university, and have options catering for all budgets and preferences. The cost will also include your WiFi and utility bills.
For example, Ulster University recently built two new halls of residence in the city’s Cathedral Quarter. A single, en-suite room starts at £135 per week or a studio apartment is £165 per week. These halls also offer two-bedroom apartments with a shared bathroom and living space, starting at £154 a week.
Renting privately is also an option and Belfast is known and loved for affordable rental costs. For your own studio flat in the city centre you’ll pay around £870 per month, or a room in a shared house will cost around £500 per month. If you rent privately you’ll need to budget for utility bills, which are cheaper in Belfast than many other UK cities. We’d suggest budgeting around £45 each month.
Transport in Belfast
Belfast is a compact city so it’s easy to get around by foot or bike. You can hire an e-bike by registering as a casual user or annual subscriber from £5, then pick up a bike from over 30 docking stations across the city.
There’s also a range of public transport available to help you get from A to B. The Metro bus network has routes around the city, and the Glider bus is the easiest way to get from East to West Belfast. It goes through the city centre and also has a link to the Titanic Quarter. The two main train stations in Belfast are Great Victoria Street Station and Lanyon Station, and there are direct journeys to cities like Derry~Londerry and Dublin in the South.
While you’re studying in Belfast, make sure you apply for a 16-23 yLink card, as this will get you a third off all bus and train fares in Northern Ireland. If you’re a little older, don’t worry, as the 24+ card is available for all full-time students and also gets you a third off tickets.
To get further afield, Belfast is home to two airports that fly all over the UK and Europe – George Best City Airport and Belfast International Airport. The ferry port is a 25 minute bus ride from the centre. You can catch boats direct to Douglas, Liverpool Birkenhead and Cairnryan.
Student costs in Belfast
Belfast is a relatively affordable place to be a student, especially compared to other major UK cities like London, Bristol and Edinburgh. The large student population means many places offer student deals, as well as great discounts you can access with a valid student ID.
In general, an inexpensive meal will cost about £15, although there are plenty of takeaways and cafes with cheaper options. Cooking for yourself is a way of keeping costs down, so look for budget supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl and Iceland. On average you can expect to spend £1.03 on a loaf of bread, £1.61 on a kilogram of rice, £2.21 for a dozen eggs and 97p for a kilogram of potatoes.
Socialising in Belfast can definitely be done on a student budget. The average price of a pint of Guinness is £5.50, but all over the city there are Student Union bars and other pubs and clubs offering deals and discounts. On a rainy day there are cheap cinema tickets available if you go at certain times or join as a free member. Your uni might also offer clubs and societies you want to join, so keep aside some money for any trips or socials.
Remember to budget for other living costs during your time in Belfast. These will differ depending on your course and personal lifestyle, but you might spend around £15 each month for course materials like books and printing, £20 to do your laundry and £10 for toiletries. We’d recommend budgeting £800 a month on top of your course fees.
Read more about the cost of living as a student in Belfast
Universities in Belfast
Belfast is a popular choice for students and has two major universities.
Queen’s University Belfast is one of the oldest unis in the UK and is a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive institutions. It’s known for world-leading teaching and offers students a range of opportunities to study and work abroad.
Ulster University has a campus in Belfast traditionally hosting all the creative subjects. After a recent £250 million investment it’s also home to other courses including computing, business, politics and event management.
If you’re still unsure, read more reasons to study in Belfast. You can also look at what courses are on offer at Ulster University and at Queen’s.
