Student Accommodation in Plymouth

How Much Does Student Accommodation in Plymouth Cost?

Plymouth consistently comes up as one of the more affordable university cities in the South West - cheaper on average than nearby Exeter and considerably cheaper than Bristol. There is no zone-fare system here the way there is in London, so price is not dictated by which ring you fall into. What really pushes the costs of student accommodation Plymouth students up or down is the distance of the property from Drake Circus, home to the University of Plymouth and the Arts University Plymouth. Below is a brief snapshot based on present listings within the main student postcodes in Plymouth city:

PBSA in Plymouth will include electricity, water, gas, and even Wi-Fi as part of the weekly rent. ANUK-accredited property includes Pilgrim and Robbins, which are halls owned by the University of Plymouth and will include contents insurance. Private student accommodation Plymouth, particularly shared houses in Mutley or Greenbank, works differently: bills are usually excluded, so budget an extra GBP 30-GBP 50 a month once utilities are split with housemates.

Types of Student Accommodation in Plymouth

There is a decent spread of options across the city, and what suits you will largely come down to how much privacy you want versus how much you're willing to spend. Here's what is on offer among Plymouth student flats and houses:

1. En-suite Rooms - Your own bedroom and bathroom, with a shared kitchen and living space. This is the most requested room type in Plymouth's PBSA buildings, since it balances privacy with a manageable price tag.
2. Non En-suite Rooms - A private bedroom but shared bathroom facilities. Usually the cheapest way into a PBSA building, and a common first-year choice.
3. Studio Flats - Fully self-contained, with your own kitchenette and bathroom. Popular with postgraduates and anyone who'd rather not share communal space at all.
4. Shared Houses - Renting a room in a private house alongside other students, most commonly found around Mutley Plain, Greenbank and Lipson. It's one of the more budget-friendly routes into student property to rent Plymouth, though you'll be managing your own bills and contracts.
5. University Halls - Run directly by the University of Plymouth through its Student Village on Gibbon Street, just a few minutes from campus. First-years get priority, and places fill quickly, so student halls Plymouth applications are best submitted as soon as an offer is confirmed.

Best Areas for Student Accommodation in Plymouth

Plymouth is a fairly compact city, so unlike somewhere sprawling, you're rarely more than 20–30 minutes from campus wherever you land. Still, where you choose to live changes your daily routine, your rent, and how much time you spend waiting for a bus. Below are the areas that come up most often when students are hunting for student properties Plymouth wide.

These areas are usually among the most affordable parts of the town but will also keep you relatively close to the university area via public transport - hence the popularity among second and third-year students who want to cut their costs after a year in college accommodation.

Student Accommodation Near Top Plymouth Universities

1. Near the University of Plymouth - The main campus sits on Drake Circus, right in the city centre. Most student apartments Plymouth students consider for UoP cluster in Mutley Plain, Greenbank and the centre itself, within a 10 - 20 minute walk. Discovery Heights, Alexandra Works and Central Point are among the private options nearby, alongside the university's own Pilgrim and Robbins Halls in the Student Village.
2. Near Arts University Plymouth (AUP) - AUP's campus on Tavistock Place is a short walk from Drake Circus, so it shares much of the same accommodation footprint as UoP. North Hill and Hartley are popular with AUP students for their walkability, and city-centre PBSA operators such as Capitol Students (St Teresa House), iQ Student Accommodation and Prestige Student Living all have buildings within similar reach.
3. Near Plymouth Marjon University - Marjon's campus is in Derriford, north of the city - a different commute to UoP or AUP, and PBSA is much thinner on the ground out here. Students typically live locally in Derriford or commute from the centre via bus routes 42, 50 or 51, a journey of 20-30 minutes, with the George Park & Ride connecting directly to campus.
4. Near City College Plymouth - With sites spread across the city, students here often base themselves centrally, since most bus routes converge on the Royal Parade interchange before branching out to individual campuses.

Student Accommodation in Plymouth for International Students

Moving to a new country for university comes with its own checklist, and getting your accommodation sorted early takes a lot of that pressure off. A few things worth knowing before booking your Plymouth student house:

1. UK Guarantor Not Usually Required - University halls and most PBSA buildings do not ask international students for a UK-based guarantor. They will typically accept advance rent or a recognized international guarantor service instead. Private landlords are more likely to insist on one, so check early if you are going down the shared-house route.
2. When to Start Looking - If your course starts in September, have your search underway by spring. The University of Plymouth guarantees a place in halls for eligible first-years who firm the university and apply by the summer deadline - but popular PBSA near Drake Circus fills up well before then.
3. Documents You will Need - Passport, UK student visa (BRP), Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) and your university offer letter. Having these scanned and ready before you book saves a lot of back-and-forth.