With a lively and inclusive multicultural centre, and the fastest-growing population outside London, Bradford is a brilliant option for students. Last year it was named ‘Most Improved City’, and it’s currently bidding to become the UK City of Culture 2025 (and there’s also the small matter of being crowned Britain’s ‘Capital of Curry’ six years running…).

This enterprising West Yorkshire city has grown from a small market town to a boomtown of the industrial revolution, and the ‘wool capital’ of the world. It offers cheap accommodation, amazing shopping and a buzzing nightlife. Read on to find out more about why Bradford is a great home away from home for uni students from across the UK – and beyond!

Bradford is also a very walkable city with lots of transport options, but our Bradford student flats are a short walk from everywhere.

Public transport in Bradford is pretty good. There are the usual range of buses and trains with Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) a few miles outside of the city.

Bradford Interchange and Bradford Forster Square are the two main train stations. Each handles different routes, both regionally and nationally. You can get to most places in Yorkshire and further afield by train and fares can be reasonable if you book in advance.

Bradford Interchange is also the bus station for the city. It handles local services around the city and across Yorkshire. You’ll want the MCard if you use the bus a lot as it’s the local version of a student discount card.

Roads are okay. The ring road helps you navigate around the outer city and smaller roads take you anywhere else.

We wouldn’t recommend driving to the University of Bradford though as parking can be a challenge, but getting here is fine.

Bradford is home to the University of Bradford and Bradford College, which is one of the biggest education providers in the region, providing everything from A Levels to Masters.

The college has been centred around teaching for 185 years, while the main university celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016, and features in the UK Top 10 for a number of courses, including Forensic Science, Occupational Therapy, Optometry and Physiotherapy (Complete University Guide 2021).

The university is in the city centre, making it convenient for students and staff. It has several faculties covering hundreds of subjects. Faculties include Engineering & Informatics, Computing, Informatics and Media, Engineering, Design and Technology, Health Studies, Life Sciences, Management, Law, and Social Sciences and Social and International Studies.

Both of these institutions are a stone’s throw from Wardley House – our student accommodation in Bradford.

There are around 7,500 undergraduates and 2,300 postgraduates at the University of Bradford, with around 25% being from overseas. It’s a large university but not the largest, a good balance between a large student population that isn’t so large as to be overwhelming.

Bradford College is home to around 20,000 students, although not all of these are studying degrees, as the college also offers A Levels, vocational qualifications, community courses and apprenticeships.

At our Bradford student halls, we house 290 students.

As one of the larger cities in the UK, Bradford does experience crime, but the levels are no higher than other major cities across the country. Small measures, such as avoiding walking home alone at night or choosing adequate locks for your bike, can greatly reduce the risk of vulnerability.

Popular student areas include the city centre, Great Horton and Frizinghall – but, if you want to be in the heart of the action, city centre student accommodation is the clear front-runner!

Our affordable student housing is situated in the heart of the city, minutes away from the University of Bradford and Bradford College.

There’s plenty to do on your doorstep at Wardley House – check out our blog about 10 amazing spots that are only a 10-minute walk from our student flats in Bradford!

We think the best place to live in Bradford as a student is the city centre. You’re in the centre of town, your student halls are close to everything that’s going on, public transport is everywhere and you have easy access to all the shopping, dining and entertainment options you can think of.

Other places that may be worth checking out include Shipley, Saltaire, Queensbury, Bingley, Burley-in-Wharfedale, Menston, Clayton, Frizinghall, Great Horton, Heaton, Little Germany and Manningham.

They aren’t all student areas but each has its own character and appeal. Areas such as Clayton or Manningham will require using public transport though.

Entertainment options in Bradford

There are lots of options for entertainment in Bradford and you have Leeds a short train or bus ride away. The range of options include the National Science and Media Museum, Bradford Ice Rink (next door to our private student halls), Belong Bradford, Cineworld, Hollywood Bowl, TeamSport Indoor Karting, Bradford Industrial Museum, Saltaire Brewery, VR City, Axe Bey Urban Axe Throwing, The Climbing Hub and dozens of pubs, clubs, bars and cafes.

Food and drink in Bradford

There are lots of food and drink options in Bradford. We don’t want to labour the point, but the city is the curry capital of the UK. It’s about much more than curry though. You’ll find most regional cuisines here, plenty of pubs, bars, restaurants, takeaways, diners, cafes and anything else you could need.

Many of the best options will be in the city centre, close to our student halls.

Shopping in Bradford

Shopping in Bradford is plentiful, much of it within a short walk of your student apartment in the city centre. We have The Broadway, a large shopping centre, Kirkgate Shopping Centre, Forster Square, Oastler Shopping Centre and lots of individual shops, boutiques and out of town centres that should have everything you need.

Wardley House is the definition of affordable student living with rooms from only £85 a week. To make it a little easier, our double en-suite student rooms come with all bills included, free contents insurance and 250MB Wi-Fi! We also have a spacious common room on-site with BT Sport.

Bradford is one of the best cities in the country to live as a student. Prices are reasonable, rents are affordable and there are plenty of public transport options.

Our private student halls are close enough to class that you won’t need a car or take a train. It’s a short walk, cycle or bus ride away and that can save a lot of money!

Sanctuary Students are dedicated to delivering the best possible student apartments in Bradford. Each includes a range of options, all furniture, heating, WiFi and an en-suite bathroom.

What’s more, all bills are included in the rent. That’s another expense you don’t have!

If you stay at our Bradford student accommodation your rent includes heating, electricity, broadband, security, cleaning of social areas and even contents insurance.

That leaves you more money each month to enjoy your time here as a student!

Accommodation - £80.50 per week
A fully furnished en-suite room in Bradford from Sanctuary Students can cost as little as £80.50 per week. Considering the quality on offer, that’s extremely competitive!

Travel - £48 per month
This price varies depending on where you live in Bradford, a monthly student bus pass can cost around £48 per month or you can get a yearly pass for £375 that brings the cost down to £31.25 a month.

Food - £50 - £100 per week
This wil vary depending on your food choices, we would recommend a food budget of anywhere between £50 - £100 per week.

Mobile Phones and Internet - £15- £50 per month
If you stay in our Bradford student accommodation, internet is included in the rent. So, you will only need to pay for your phone contact, which can cost anywhere between £15 - £50 per month.

Leisure and Entertainment - £100 - £300 per month
This is another cost that varies depending on how much leisure and entertainment you want to do. A reasonable estimate is anywhere between £100 - £300 a month.

Study Costs and Supplies - £50 - £150 per month 
Study costs and supplies cover all the little thing you need as a student, this can range from stationary and course books.

Gym Membership - £15 - £50
Most Universities have their own gym and this can bring the cost down significantly for a membership. But, if you want to go to a private gym or one of the larger chains this can cost anywhere between £15 - £50 per month, depending on the gym.

Unfortunately, we don’t currently offer car parking facilities with our student rooms, but we may be able to accommodate your car for a couple of hours during check-in using our contractor and staff car park – subject to availability. With plenty of public transport options a quick walk away, you won’t miss having a car – but if you do want to bring your vehicle, the nearest public car parks are on Sharpe Street and Burrow Street.

With 15% of University of Bradford students arriving from more than 130 different countries, Bradford is a great city to be an international student. Here at Sanctuary Students, we’re super proud of our community of students who are studying abroad, and we’re here to make your transition to student living as smooth as possible. There’s a very good overseas intake at all UK universities, and we’ll allocate you a room with fellow international students to help you settle into your new home.

We’re delighted to welcome students who are at all stages of their studies. If you’re a postgrad, we’ll allocate you a room with fellow Masters/PhD students, so you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people in the same position as you. We offer value for money and an easy setup (including all-inclusive bills and on-site cleaners), plus high-speed Wi-Fi, so you can focus on your studies.

We have one student building in Bradford, Wardley House. It’s on Little Horton Lane in the city centre, close to Bradford Ice Arena and a short walk from the University of Bradford.

It’s a superb position, close to the centre of the action and its numerous entertainment options.

It’s by the main shopping area, City Park, the National Science and Media Museum, Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Live, Bradford College, Bradford Art School and everything that’s going on in the city.

If it’s worth visiting, enjoying, eating or drinking, you’ll find it close to our student flats!

As the curry capital of England, you’ll find your student accommodation within a short distance of some of the best restaurants and takeaways in town. If you don’t like the cuisine, we bet you will after a few months of being here. It is truly delicious!

We think it’s one of the best locations in town. You can walk to class, walk to the shops, to the bars, clubs, parks, libraries, Oastler Shopping Centre and anywhere else you might need to go.

Bradford Interchange is just minutes away, providing plenty of options for getting around. The ring road and main routes are also close by if you plan to drive.

At our student properties in Bradford, we offer all-inclusive bills (including electricity, water and heating), free contents insurance, on-site laundry, security, maintenance and 250MB Wi-Fi. The building-wide Wi-Fi and ethernet broadband service offer you a reliable and secure internet connection suitable for all your study and personal needs.

We specialise in delivering quality student accommodation in a safe and supportive living environment. We have 24-hour security staff and emergency helplines, secure entry and CCTV. You’ll also receive round-the-clock support from our maintenance teams to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Internet

The broadband service is provided by Glide, a leading provider of managed internet services to student accommodation.

• Find your nearest National Health Service (NHS) Doctor or Dentist on the NHS Services website

• If you need free legal advice, please contact the Citizens Advice Bureau

• Travelling in and around Bradford

• What's on in Bradford?

• Applying for your student visa.

• UK Border Agency

• UKCISA - UK Council for International Student Affairs

• Guide to culture shock

• National Union of Students (NUS)