Student Life in Cheltenham: Explore Your New City 

Which is the best student city in the UK? You might say London, Manchester, Edinburgh, or Birmingham. But what if there are more rights to consider? One of the great cities to study in the UK is Cheltenham. It is an emerging student city and is home to the University of Gloucestershire. Cheltenham offers an affordable lifestyle and enriching academic experience for students. If you are planning to study at a top university and explore life in the UK, then this city is the right place for you. Keep reading to learn more about Cheltenham, UK. 

About Cheltenham 

Cheltenham is a town in Gloucestershire, UK. It is popular for the Cheltenham Festival, 4 days of horse jump racing at Cheltenham Racecourse, and the University of Gloucestershire. Cheltenham was renowned as one of the finest spa towns in the UK. The city has a beautiful landscape and a lot of entertainment options.  

Cheltenham is spread over a total area of 46.61 km². The town is situated on the bank of the River Chelt, a tributary of the River Severn. On the west side is the high country of the Forest of Dean. The eastern margin of the valley is sharply defined by the Cotswold escarpment. The Cotswolds rise in hills to the east and come down in steeply sloping hills incurvate to the valley. 

Cheltenham has a total population of 1.19 lacs as of 2021. The town has a population density of 2,563 persons/ square km.  

Study in Cheltenham 

Cheltenham is ideally a student city. The city offers access to quality education, a friendly environment, beautiful gardens and cafes, bustling streets, and an affordable lifestyle. All these factors are crucial for someone looking for academic opportunities and a diverse student atmosphere. 

Cheltenham is home to the University of Gloucestershire. This university is a center of academic excellence and is globally recognized for its quality education and student-supportive community. The University of Gloucestershire has four campuses: 

• Francis Close Hall; 

• Oxstalls Campus 

• Park Campus; and 

• Hardwick Centre for Fine Arts and Photography 

The university was established in 1834 as Cheltenham Mechanics’ Institute. Since then, it has emerged as one of the top institutes in Europe. Here are some insights about the University of Gloucestershire. 

• It has two intakes: February and October 

• Its acceptance rate is 27%. 

• It has a total enrollment of 12,000 students. 

• The average tuition fee for international students is £16,600/academic year. 

• It offers over 80 undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD degrees in accounting and finance, animation, business and management, computer science, etc. 

Best Cheltenham Student Accommodation 

Cheltenham offers some of the best and most affordable student housing options in the UK. Students at the University of Gloucestershire can choose to live either in university halls or in private student accommodations. Here are the best Cheltenham student accommodation and private apartments. 

• Shaftsbury Hall 

• Upper Quay House 

• GenR8 Regency 

• Lovely Little House, Kingsholm Road 

• Spacious Cheltenham Town House, Brookbank Close 

• Hugh House with Pool Table, Kingsholm Road 

Jobs in Cheltenham 

As a student city, Cheltenham offers a wide range of job opportunities to university students and young graduates. Most of the students in Cheltenham work as part-time employees at the university, nearby grocery stores and shopping complexes, babysitters, tutors, and freelancers. These students earn between £8.65 – £11.90 an hour. Here are some of the best job opportunities for students in Cheltenham. 

• Retail Assistant 

• Waiter/ Waitress 

• English/Spanish Tutor 

• Customer Service Representative 

• Library Assistant 

• Admin Assistant 

• Event Staff 

• Dog Walker 

Cost of Living in Cheltenham 

The cost of living in Cheltenham is between £1200 to £1700 per month. These monthly expenses include the house rent, food and grocery costs, utilities and bills, transportation, clothing, leisure, and entertainment. Here’s a detailed division of the cost of living in Cheltenham, UK. 

Travelling in Cheltenham 

Cheltenham has a safe and convenient public transport system. It includes the Royal Well Bus and Coach Station. Most of the coach drop-offs are at the Royal Well Bus station close to the city centre. Students can explore the city university’s public transportation. 

• The MegaRider Bus tickets in Cheltenham are available for just £16.50/ 7 days. 

• Stagecoach is the primary bus operator in the city. It serves Cheltenham’s Park & Ride and most of the local bus services in Cheltenham and nearby areas.  

• Students can consider hiring bikes from different locations in the town.  

Best Clubs in Cheltenham 

Cheltenham offers exciting nightlife with student-friendly clubs and restaurants. It is safe to walk at night, so students can take a break from their daily schedule and engage in lively activities. Here are some of the best clubs in Cheltenham for students. 

• Flight Club Cheltenham 

• The Old Restoration 

• Roxy Lane Cheltenham High Street 

• Jolly Brewmaster 

• Dunkertons Cider Bar 

• Imperial Haus 

• Spectre Cheltenham 

Best Restaurants in Cheltenham 

While having a busy study and work schedule, students often spend quality time with their friends and batchmates at popular restaurants and coffee houses in the city. Here are some of the best restaurants in Cheltenham that welcome students. 

• Wheatstone Inn 

• MUSE Brasserie, Cheltenham 

• Hare & Hounds 

• Memsahib’s Lounge 

• The Coconut Tree, Cheltenham 

• Sef Steakhouse 

• Yoku Cheltenham 

Tourist Attractions in Cheltenham 

Cheltenham has multiple tourist attractions for students and travellers. These places highlight the city’s rich history, architectural developments, and picturesque scenes. Here are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Cheltenham. 

• Pittville Park 

• Sandford’s Park Lido 

• Everyman Theatre 

• The Wilson Art and Gallery Museum 

• Cheltenham Racecourse 

• Cotswold Farm Park 

Conclusion 

Your life in Cheltenham will be more than just an ordinary academic journey. It will be an opportunity to explore one of the best academic centres in the UK, engage in part-time opportunities, live in affordable and trusted accommodation, and explore cultural integration. The city offers what every university student requires to secure their life goals. 

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