Student Accommodation In Brighton: What You Need To Know

So, you're off to Brighton — lucky you. Home to the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex, this seaside city is packed with students, independent cafés, a legendary nightlife and a beach quite literally on your doorstep. It's a global top 100 student city, ranked in the world top 25 for student quality of life in the QS Best Student Cities 2026, and Time Out named it the happiest city in the UK.

But before you can enjoy all that, there's one slightly less glamorous task to tackle: sorting your accommodation. Whether you're a fresher heading into halls or a second year hunting for a house share, here's everything you need to know about finding a place to live in Brighton.

Types of student accommodation in Brighton

First things first — you've got options. Here's a quick rundown of the main types:

University halls — Usually full of first years, located close to campus, and the easiest way to settle in and make friends fast. Both unis offer halls, and the University of Brighton even has a guaranteed room offer for eligible first years.
Private halls (PBSA) — Purpose-built student accommodation tends to offer more amenities (think gyms, study lounges and social events) at a higher price, with rent and bills rolled into one predictable payment.
House shares — Often the cheapest option and the natural next step after halls. You'll usually share with friends in a student-friendly area, though you might have a bit of a commute to campus.
Flats and studios — More privacy and independence, but you'll pay for the privilege — studios are the priciest option.

The best areas for students in Brighton

Where you live makes a huge difference to both your budget and your day-to-day life. Here are the key student areas to know.

Moulsecoomb

By far one of the most popular student areas, Moulsecoomb is home to the University of Brighton's largest campus and a lively student population. It's cheap, well-connected and full of independent cafés, pubs and supermarkets. If you're at UoB, it's hard to beat for convenience.

Lewes Road

Brighton's main student corridor, running from the city centre up towards Moulsecoomb. It offers some of Brighton's most affordable student accommodation, with Victorian terraces converted into shared houses, plus regular buses to both universities. Great for value and the buzzy student atmosphere.

North Laine

Brighton's famous bohemian quarter — a maze of independent shops, vintage stores, cafés and bars right in the heart of the city. It puts you at the centre of Brighton's cultural life, but accommodation here is mostly flats above shops, and rents sit at the higher end.

Kemptown

A lively, diverse seafront neighbourhood near the Marina — perfect if you want seaside living with a bit of an edge. It even landed at no.26 on Time Out's list of the coolest neighbourhoods worldwide. Central but on the pricier side.

Hanover & Hove

Hanover is a hip, good-value area if you shop around, while Hove — Brighton's more genteel neighbour — offers cheaper rent than the city centre with solid transport links. Both are worth a look if you want something a little quieter.

Brighton student areas at a glance

Here's how the main areas stack up. Rents are rough per-person-per-week guides — actual listings vary, so treat these as a starting point.

Area	Best for	Approx. rent (pppw)	Why students like it
Moulsecoomb	UoB students, budget	£100–£145	UoB's largest campus; cheap and well-connected
Lewes Road	Value, convenience	£110–£150	Affordable converted terraces; buses to both unis
Hove	Quieter living	£100–£145	Cheaper than the centre with good transport links
Kemptown	Seaside living	£125–£175	Diverse seafront area near the Marina; central but pricier
North Laine	City-centre buzz	£135–£190	Bohemian heart of the city; highest end of the range
Hanover	Good value with character	~£130 (varies)	Hip area; good value if you shop around

How much does student accommodation cost in Brighton?

Let's talk money, because rent will likely take up more than half your budget. Costs vary a lot depending on the type of place you choose:

Type	Approx. rent (pppw)	Bills included?	Notes
Private house share	~£130 average (£95–£420+ range)	Usually not (some offer packages)	Cheapest for groups; most popular after first year
Purpose-built (PBSA)	£220–£340	Yes	All-inclusive; gyms, study lounges, social events
En-suite room	£124–£308	Varies	Private bathroom, shared kitchen; popular with first years
Studio	£117–£555	Usually yes	Most expensive; full independence

Overall, students in Brighton spend roughly £1,250 to £1,750 per month depending on lifestyle — pricier than many UK cities, but still around 20–25% cheaper than London.

When should you start looking?

Don't leave it too late. October or November is typically the ideal time to begin your search, as the best properties get snapped up early. First years going into halls will have a separate (and usually simpler) application process through their university — keep an eye on deadlines.

What to check before you sign

A few things to keep in mind before committing to anywhere:

Bills — Check whether they're included. Many house shares and all PBSAs now offer bills-inclusive packages, which makes budgeting far easier.
Deposits — The most a landlord can legally charge is five weeks' rent, and your deposit must be protected in a recognised tenancy deposit scheme. Some halls don't require one at all.
Guarantor — Most halls and many private lets require a guarantor — someone who agrees to cover your rent if you can't.
Tenancy length — International students may want a contract covering the full year, while others only need term-time. Check what you're signing up for.

Top tips for finding student accommodation in Brighton

House shares = budget wins. Splitting a four- or five-bed house is usually far cheaper than going solo in a studio.
Look beyond the centre. Areas like Hove, Hollingdean and Portslade often have cheaper rent with good transport links.
Always view first. Photos can be flattering — see the place (and meet the landlord) in person where you can.
Read the contract properly. Know exactly what's included before you sign anything.
Download the apps. Tools like Student Beans unlock deals on everything from furniture to food shops to help your loan stretch further.

Unlock even more with Student Beans

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