If you’re heading to Belfast for your studies, finding the right accommodation is a key step in starting your academic adventure. Belfast has become a fantastic place for students, boasting a rich cultural heritage, vibrant social scene, and world-class universities like Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University. However, with the city’s growing popularity, understanding your accommodation options can make all the difference to your student experience.
This guide explores the wide range of housing options available in Belfast, provides details on top student accommodation properties, and shares essential tips for making your living arrangements stress-free.
Overview of Student Accommodation in Belfast
Belfast offers diverse housing options to suit every budget and lifestyle. These include:
- University Accommodation: Many students opt to live in university-managed halls of residence, which often have a convenient location, inclusive facilities, and a ready-made community.
- Private Rentals: Renting a house or flat is popular among second and third-year students who prefer more independence.
- Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA): PBSA properties provide modern amenities, on-site services, and flexible room types specifically designed for students.
Whatever your preference may be, Belfast’s student accommodation landscape caters to all needs.
Top Student Accommodation Properties in Belfast
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the best options for student accommodation in Belfast, covering essential details like proximity to universities, room types, amenities, and price ranges.
1. John Bell House
- Location: College Square East, Belfast BT1 6DF
- Distance to Universities:
- Queen’s University Belfast: 20-minute walk
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 10-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite rooms
- Studio apartments
- Amenities:
- On-site gym, cinema room, study areas, and communal spaces
- Price Range:
- £125 – £210 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
2. Botanic Studios
- Location: 78 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JR
- Distance to Universities:
- Queen’s University Belfast: 10-minute walk
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 25-minute walk
- Room Types:
- Studio apartments only
- Amenities:
- Social spaces, all-inclusive bills, high-speed Wi-Fi
- Price:
- From £175 per week
- Provider:
- CRM Students (Website)
3. Great Patrick Street
- Location: 28-30 Great Patrick Street, Belfast BT1 2LT
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 3-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 21-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite cluster flats and studios
- Amenities:
- On-site laundry, common rooms, and secure bike storage
- Price:
- From £129 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
4. Dobbin Street
- Location: 13-19 Dobbin Street, Belfast BT1 5FB
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 5-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 20-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite cluster flats, studios, and twin studios
- Amenities:
- Study areas, cinema room, gym, and outdoor courtyard
- Price:
- From £135 per week
- Provider:
- Fresh Student Living (Website)
5. Botanic Studios
- Location: 78-86 Dublin Road, Belfast BT2 7HP
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 18-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 8-minute walk
- Room Types:
- Studios only
- Amenities:
- Gym, games room, communal study spaces, and a roof terrace
- Price:
- From £155 per week
- Provider:
- Prestige Student Living (Website)
6. Little Patrick Street
- Location: 26-28 Little Patrick Street, Belfast BT15 1GG
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 2-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 22-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite cluster flats
- Amenities:
- Communal lounges, study areas, and an on-site gym
- Price:
- From £125 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
7. Great Patrick Street
- Location: 28-30 Great Patrick Street, Belfast BT15 2AD
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 1-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 25-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite studios and cluster apartments
- Amenities:
- Study spaces, social areas, outdoor courtyard, and bike storage
- Price:
- From £129 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
8. Swanston House
- Location: 41-45 Queen Street, Belfast BT1 6ET
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 10-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 18-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite rooms and shared apartments
- Amenities:
- Cinema room, on-site gym, communal spaces, and laundry facilities
- Price:
- From £139 per week
- Provider:
- Prestige Student Living (Website)
9. McClintock House
- Location: 1-3 College Avenue, Belfast BT1 6DS
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 5-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 20-minute walk
- Room Types:
- Studios and shared apartments
- Amenities:
- Study areas, social lounge, secure bike storage, and laundry facilities
- Price:
- From £135 per week
- Provider:
- Prestige Student Living (Website)
10. John Bell House
- Location: College Square East, Belfast BT1 6DJ
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 12-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 14-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite rooms and studios
- Amenities:
- Games area, modern gym, cinema room, and study spaces
- Price:
- From £159 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
11. Great Patrick Street
- Location: 28-30 Great Patrick Street, Belfast BT1 2LT
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 5-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 20-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite rooms and shared apartments
- Amenities:
- Study rooms, social spaces, onsite laundry facilities, and a private gym
- Price:
- From £145 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
12. Dobbin Street Mews
- Location: 6 Dobbin Street Mews, Belfast BT1 1LB
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 7-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 25-minute walk
- Room Types:
- Studio apartments and shared flats
- Amenities:
- High-speed Wi-Fi, 24/7 security, bike storage, and communal lounge
- Price:
- From £150 per week
- Provider:
- Fresh Student Living (Website)
13. Botanic Studios
- Location: 78 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JR
- Distance to Universities:
- Queen’s University Belfast: 10-minute walk
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 15-minute bus ride
- Room Types:
- Private studios with en-suite bathrooms and kitchenettes
- Amenities:
- Onsite maintenance, study spaces, cinema room, and fitness center
- Price:
- From £175 per week
- Provider:
- Prestige Student Living (Website)
14. John Bell House
- Location: 5 College Square East, Belfast BT1 6DJ
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 10-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 20-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite rooms, studios, and shared apartments
- Amenities:
- Historic building, games room, study areas, and an onsite café
- Price:
- From £155 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
15. Great Patrick Street
- Location: 28-30 Great Patrick Street, Belfast BT1 2LT
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 5-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 25-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite rooms, studios
- Amenities:
- Gym, cinema room, study spaces, and a rooftop terrace
- Price:
- From £145 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
16. Botanic Studios
- Location: Dublin Road, Belfast BT7 1QQ
- Distance to Universities:
- Queen’s University Belfast: 10-minute walk
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 20-minute walk
- Room Types:
- Studio apartments
- Amenities:
- Private kitchen, dedicated study areas, and lounge spaces
- Price:
- From £179 per week
- Provider:
- Hello Student (Website)
17. Great Patrick Street
- Location: 28-30 Great Patrick Street, Belfast BT1 2LT
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 2-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 25-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite rooms and shared apartments
- Amenities:
- On-site gym, social spaces, study areas, and high-speed Wi-Fi
- Price:
- From £129 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
18. John Bell House
- Location: College Square East, Belfast BT1 6DJ
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 15-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 15-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite rooms, shared apartments, and some studio options
- Amenities:
- Historic building, games room, common areas, and study spaces
- Price:
- From £130 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
19. Great Patrick Street
- Location: 28-30 Great Patrick Street, Belfast BT1 2LT
- Distance to Universities:
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 5-minute walk
- Queen’s University Belfast: 20-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite rooms in cluster apartments and studios
- Amenities:
- On-site gym, study rooms, and outdoor courtyards
- Price:
- From £149 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
20. Botanic Studios
- Location: 78 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JR
- Distance to Universities:
- Queen’s University Belfast: 5-minute walk
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 25-minute walk
- Room Types:
- Studios and premium studio options
- Amenities:
- All-inclusive bills, private kitchenettes, and modern furnishings
- Price:
- From £174 per week
- Provider:
- Prestige Student Living (Website)
21. John Bell House
- Location: College Square East, Belfast BT1 6DJ
- Distance to Universities:
- Queen’s University Belfast: 20-minute walk
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 5-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite rooms and studio apartments
- Amenities:
- On-site gym, cinema room, study spaces, and communal areas
- Price:
- From £135 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
22. Swanston House
- Location: 29 Wellington Place, Belfast BT1 6FG
- Distance to Universities:
- Queen’s University Belfast: 15-minute walk
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 10-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suites and shared flats
- Amenities:
- Social spaces, study areas, all-inclusive bills, and laundry facilities
- Price:
- From £129 per week
- Provider:
- Prestige Student Living (Website)
23. Great Patrick Street
- Location: 28-30 Great Patrick Street, Belfast BT1 2LT
- Distance to Universities:
- Queen’s University Belfast: 25-minute walk
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 2-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite rooms and studio apartments
- Amenities:
- Modern kitchens, outdoor spaces, study areas, and free Wi-Fi
- Price:
- From £139 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
24. John Bell House
- Location: College Square East, Belfast BT1 6DJ
- Distance to Universities:
- Queen’s University Belfast: 18-minute walk
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 10-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite rooms, single rooms, and studio apartments
- Amenities:
- Historic building with modern interiors, on-site gym, communal areas, high-speed Wi-Fi, and 24/7 support
- Price:
- From £129 per week
- Provider:
- Student Roost (Website)
25. LIV Student Belfast
- Location: 81-107 York Street, Belfast BT15 1AB
- Distance to Universities:
- Queen’s University Belfast: 22-minute walk
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 5-minute walk
- Room Types:
- En-suite rooms and studio apartments
- Amenities:
- On-site gym, private dining spaces, cinema room, study areas, terrace, and free high-speed Wi-Fi
- Price:
- From £145 per week
- Provider:
- LIV Student (Website)
26. Botanic Studios
- Location: 78-86 Dublin Road, Belfast BT2 7HT
- Distance to Universities:
- Queen’s University Belfast: 8-minute walk
- Ulster University Belfast campus: 25-minute walk
- Room Types:
- Studio apartments
- Amenities:
- Fully equipped kitchens, on-site laundry, study spaces, social lounges, and free Wi-Fi
- Price:
- From £159 per week
- Provider:
- Student.com (Website)
This property offers a particularly convenient option for Ulster University students due to its proximity, minimizing travel time and ensuring easy access to classes. With a mix of modern amenities and competitive pricing, it is essential to explore availability early to secure preferred room types.
Each accommodation listed ensures a balance of convenience, comfort, and affordability, making it easier for students to focus on their studies while enjoying high-quality living spaces.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Accommodation
Selecting the best student housing requires evaluating several important factors:
- Budget: Set a realistic budget and consider inclusive costs such as utilities and Wi-Fi.
- Location: Check the distance to your university, public transport availability, and local amenities.
- Amenities: Identify what facilities matter most to you, like gyms, study spaces, or social areas.
- Social Environment: Consider whether you’d prefer quieter spaces or social and bustling environments for making friends.
Tips for Booking Accommodation in Belfast
Securing accommodation can feel overwhelming, so follow these practical tips to simplify the process:
- Start Early: Belfast’s student housing market is competitive, so begin your search as soon as possible.
- Read the Fine Print: Carefully review lease agreements for terms like deposit refunds, maintenance policies, and cancellation conditions.
- Ensure Security: Avoid scams by booking directly through university services or verified PBSA platforms.
- Visit Properties: If possible, schedule viewings to inspect spaces and interact with current residents.
- Use University Resources: Reach out to your university’s accommodation services for advice and recommendations.
What it’s Like to Live and Study in Belfast
Belfast is a city that balances academic excellence with vibrant student life. With lively pubs, cosy cafés, and a thriving arts scene, it’s impossible not to feel at home. Major attractions like the Titanic Museum and St George’s Market ensure your weekends are anything but dull. Plus, with its cost of living being more affordable compared to other UK cities, Belfast offers excellent value for students.
Resources for Finding Student Accommodation
Make use of these helpful platforms and services to find the perfect student room:
- University Accommodation Services:
- Rental Platforms:
- PBSA Providers:
- Unilodgers
- Student Roost
- CRM Students
- Student Communities:
- Facebook groups and forums catering to Belfast students
Start Your Accommodation Search Early
Finding the perfect student accommodation in Belfast is key to an enjoyable student experience. By understanding your options, starting your search early, and considering key priorities like budget and location, you can eliminate the hassle and focus on enjoying your studies in this vibrant city.
