Brighton city guide for students

Brighton has plenty to offer to its student population. Whether you’re a seasoned seaside visitor and have been studying in Brighton for a while, or you’re looking to learn in the city for the first time, our Brighton city guide is the perfect accompaniment to your university adventure.

There are plenty of things to do in Brighton, but first up: the things you need to know. Luckily, our Brighton city guide for students is on hand to provide all of that information.

Brighton, one of the two main areas of the city of Brighton and Hove, has been around since the Bronze Age. With archaeological evidence showing settlements during the Bronze Age and the Roman and Anglo-Saxon periods, it’s been a hub for locals and visitors alike for centuries. In fact, the ancient settlement of “Brighthelmstone” was documented way back in 1086 – finding a mention in the Domesday book.

The area has a royal history, with King George IV spending much of his time there and constructing the Royal Pavilion there. Many people have given the area nicknames over the centuries, including ‘The Queen of Watering Places’, ‘Old Ocean’s Bauble’, ‘Doctor Brighton’, in reference to the restorative benefits of being near the coast, and ‘London-by-the-Sea’.

Aside from nicknames, Brighton has been described as the UK’s hippest city, the happiest place to live in the UK and the unofficial gay capital of the UK.

Travelling to Brighton is simple. If you're driving, Brighton is connected to the trunk road network by the A23 northwards, and by two east-west routes, the A259 and the A27.

For travel by train, you can access Brighton from London Victoria, London Bridge and St Pancras International, all of which serve Gatwick airport – the closest major airport to the city.

There are plenty of things to do in Brighton, many of which our detailed in our Brighton city guide, but sports fans take note: you will find yourself in sports heaven. There’s Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club to enjoy at the Amex Stadium, Whitehawk Football Club, a semi-professional side in the east of the city, and Brighton Football Club for rugby fans (yep, that's not a typo). Aside from that, there are regular motoring, sailing, and swimming events throughout the year.

Looking for things to do in Brighton? From soaking up the sun on the beach to enjoying a cheap movie night, there’s something for every taste and budget – and there are so many free things to do in Brighton that you’ll be spoiled for choice!

Brighton beach is the perfect option for a day out and is one of the most visited seaside attractions in England. You can soak up the sun, try your luck at one of the many arcade games in Brighton pier, hire kayaks and paddleboards or simply just stroll along the promenade. The seafront is a hub for Brighton student nightlife too, but we’ll get onto that later in the Brighton city guide.

If you have a penchant for a cheeky purchase, you can shop until you drop in The Lanes, an eclectic collection of narrow alleyways filled with interesting shops, independent eateries, quirky drinking holes and positive vibes.

There’s also plenty going on throughout the year. Multiple festivals appear across Brighton’s calendar, ensuring that there’s always things to do in Brighton. Some of the city’s most exciting festivals include the Brighton Fringe, for comedy lovers, and Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival for foodies. Others include the Brighton Festival (theatre), The Great Escape (music), Paddle Round The Pier (water activities) and of course, Brighton Pride, celebrating all things LGBTQ+.

Getting out of the hustle and bustle of the city is easy, and you owe it to yourself to travel to the beautiful cliffs of the Seven Sisters, or visit local Arundel (which sounds like something from the pages of a Tolkien novel) or Lewes. Sightseeing is one of the best free things to do in Brighton, simply because the area is so beautiful.

As well as the aforementioned The Great Escape festival, there’s a bounty of live music in Brighton to enjoy. With such a rich musical history, it’s clear to see why!

Indie legends The Kooks, heavy-metal hitters Architects, hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks, pop pioneers Fickle Friends and the incredible Fatboy Slim all have Brighton to thank for their rise – whether they were formed in the city or used it as a hub to launch their careers.

The Brighton Centre is the venue hosting the biggest acts, with Madness and Blondie both playing there recently, but there are a number of other venues such as the Green Door Store, the Brighton Music Hall and The Rose Hill, among others, all offering live music.

When it comes to Brighton student nightlife, partygoers aren't short of options. There are a number of amazing student nights available in the city, from club nights in the city centre and across the sea front, to a range of student deals at pubs and bars.

Some of the favourites of students and locals alike include Pryzm, which offers club nights on Fridays and Saturdays, as well as regular events and DJs.

There’s also Casablanca Jazz Club, which offers a different kind of vibe but a great night out nevertheless. Meanwhile, Club Revenge is the city's biggest LGBTQ+ bar if you're looking for good vibes and big pop anthems.

Other options include Coalition, which offers a day-and-night experience during the summer with a huge terrace on the beach for sun-drenched lazy days and pre-club nights. With fresh food, tasty cocktails and a history of musical royalty gracing the decks, it’s certainly not one to miss.

Not only is there a range of things to do in Brighton, there are a number of places to fill your belly beyond fish and chips on the seafront - although we recommend those too!

Alongside all of the obvious chains, there are independent places waiting for you to discover them, ranging in price, level of fine dining and more.

For cheap eats, we recommend Japanese eatery Pompoko, offering authentic food with vegetarian and vegan options. It’s a great place for a quick bite, and situated close to the University of Brighton City Campus for those who are looking for some grub after studies.

Meat eaters will find themselves in heaven with Argentinian steakhouse Baqueano – crowned Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice award in 2021. It’s been described as offering customers the “best steak they’ve ever had”, but also offers gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options for every dietary restriction or choice.

Here at Student Roost, it would be remiss of us not to recommend quirky café Nowhere Man in our Brighton city guide. Offering coffee, pancakes and bagels in the heart of the city for walk-ins and takeaways, this exceptional breakfast and lunch hub is one of the best places to eat in Brighton. Oh, and if you turn up wearing flares, you’ll get 10% off your order!

There are two major universities in Brighton, the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex.

The University of Brighton has a student population of just under 19,000 and has campuses in Moulsecoomb and Eastbourne. There’s a focus on the sciences at this university, but it does offer subjects ranging from medicine to engineering and everything in between. It hosts a campus train station, offering frequent travel to the city centre in around five minutes.

The University of Sussex was named the ‘University of the Year for Student Retention’ by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022. It’s a leading research university and is home to over 14,000 students. It has over 10 schools of study, and perhaps offers a wider range of subjects than the University of Brighton does.

Both universities have their own student accommodations. At Student Roost, we’ve announced our brand new student accommodation in Brighton, situated just a short walk from the Moulsecoomb campus of the University of Brighton, and a seven-minute bus journey away from Sussex’s Falmer campus. Hillfort House offers spacious communal areas, perfect for those insta-worthy snaps, an onsite gym and much more alongside en-suite and studio rooms.

Do all the things to do in Brighton have you ready to secure your room with us today? Our vibrant student community is waiting for you to join it. Arrange a virtual or face-to-face viewing at our property today, before securing your room for next year. You can book today, and use our Brighton city guide to give yourself a of a tour of the city while you’re here. It’s more than a room – it’s your very own portal to everything Brighton has to offer.