It may only be a small city, but Preston is a vibrant and sociable place jam-packed with things to do and see. A huge 32,000 students already make their home in Preston, making it a diverse and bustling place and ensuring you can find plenty to keep you entertained- whatever you are into.
Preston is a historic town in the heart of Lancashire with nearly 1,000 years of history. It can be traced back to Roman times, was a major player in the Industrial Revolution and has unique architecture and parklands to explore. Preston is home to the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), one of the UK's biggest universities and is in the top 4% of universities in the world.
UCLan is currently in the midst of a £200 million master plan to revamp and modernise campus facilities. This includes a brand new £30 million Engineering Innovation Centre, which opened in 2019. Work is also nearing completion on a £57 million Student Centre, the culmination of the master plan. It features a public square where events will be held as well as a stunning rooftop terrace.
Preston is a student-oriented city, which is reflected in its varied nightlife, bars, restaurants and entertainment. There is everything a student could want -a day of retail therapy, a night of dancing and cocktails, fun indoor activities and beautiful outdoor spaces to explore just a short distance away. Preston is well-known for offering a good value night out. Visit one of its 'classier' bars such as Turtle Bay, Review, Baker Street and Lonely People Cocktail Bar to get your evening underway. Some more student-friendly hotspots offer cheap shots and a night of clubbing, such as Baluga, Evoque and Warehouse.
When it comes to shops, Preston has two main shopping centres. St George's is home to a host of big-name stores, including River Island, H&M and New Look, as well as coffee shops and fast-food places. Fishergate Shopping Centre also houses well-known brands including Primark, Starbucks and Sports Direct. You can also check out the city's independent shops before rounding off the day with a good meal. The Kitchen at Baluga and burger house We Don't Give A Fork are among the most popular.
Preston has two cinemas - Odeon and Vue - just 10 minutes from the city centre and showing all the latest releases. Theatre lovers can also enjoy theatre and music performances at Preston Playhouse. The Flag Market in the city centre hosts outdoor shows, with everything from wrestling to live music and classic cars. Adventure seekers can check out the recently opened climbing centre Clip 'n Climb, or take on Preston Escape Rooms, where you can try to bust out of jail, break into a guarded gallery or escape from an Egyptian Pyramid before the clock runs out. Check out Level too, which has a whole host of fun activities under one roof, including laser tag, crazy golf, ten pin bowling and karaoke.
There are great photo opportunities in Preston city centre thanks to the country's longest row of traditional red telephone boxes which line Market Street. Culture Vultures might also enjoy a trip to The Harris, which houses a museum, art gallery and Preston Library. Avenham and Miller Parks, two Victorian parks with sprawling lawns, are also worth a visit. Brockholes Nature Reserve is a short 20-minute bus ride from the city and is home to a wide range of wildlife and a unique floating visitor village. There are plenty of opportunities for days out and weekends away as Preston is just a short distance from the coastline, the Lake District, and the cities of Manchester and Liverpool.
And when it comes to getting home, Preston is blessed with amazing transport links meaning nowhere is ever too far away. Preston Railway Station is a major stop on the West Coast Main Line and is just a short 10-minute walk away from the UCLan campus. Both Liverpool's John Lennon Airport and Manchester Airport are located within 40 miles of the city. Preston also has an extensive bus network, and the city is accessible by the M55, the M65 and M61 motorways.
Is Preston an expensive city for students?
Not at all. In fact, Preston has been named as one of the cheapest cities for students in the UK. In 2015, Preston came top in a survey to find the cheapest and most expensive university cities. The ParcelHero (CORR) Student Cost of Living Index calculated the average price of a taxi ride, rent, food and drink and the cost of a pint in each city with a university. It found that being a student in Guildford, Surrey, was 21% more expensive than being a student in Preston. The study found the average cost of a pint in Preston was £2.10 compared to £5.25 in Guildford, and it was also the second cheapest place to catch a taxi.
Where do students live in Preston?
Students in Preston are spoilt for choice with student accommodation available in the city centre and in some of the surrounding suburbs. When searching for UCLan student accommodation, many students opt to live in the city centre, meaning they are close to the campus and it is easy to get to lectures, arrive in from a night out and be part of the hustle and bustle of a city. When deciding where they want to live, students should consider the location, how well connected it is for Wi-Fi, home comforts and security.
Some students prefer to move further out of the city for a quieter environment and possibly cheaper option, choosing to live in one of the suburbs around the city centre. Fulwood, Plunington and Ashton are popular areas with UCLan students. Fulwood is the furthest out and is considered the most upmarket area with good shops, parks and pubs. Ashton is known for its terraced houses as well as being an easy walk from the busy city centre. Plunington, or 'Plungy' to the students who live there, is very popular for its three to five-bedroom terraced houses.
Why not consider living at Brunel Court?
If you're a student looking for a place to live in Preston, why not consider Brunel Court? Located just a short walk away from UCLan and the bustling city centre, we are confident that Brunel Court offers some of Preston's best self-contained student accommodation. Our range of apartments are clean, modern and safe and help you to feel comfortable and confident as you take that big step of living away from home for the first time.
One of our biggest selling points is the amazing facilities you get access to at no extra cost. Brunel Court boasts a gymnasium with new state-of-the art equipment, beautiful, landscaped gardens to enjoy, an arcade and a boutique cinema located in the courtyard. We offer a range of student apartments with private kitchens. We also provide plenty of social, communal spaces where you can mingle with other students and make new friends. Our specially designed study room is a great place to get on with uni work alongside course mates.
A brand new entertaining kitchen is also available for tenants to use for free and is the perfect venue for dinner parties, birthdays, and entertaining visiting friends and family. You'll also have great peace of mind at Brunel Court thanks to our 24-hour CCTV system and electronically controlled access. Vending machines and an on-site launderette will also help to put parents' minds at ease. Guest rooms can be hired out for visitors, and on-site parking facilities can be reserved for £200 for 44 weeks or £250 for 50 weeks.
When it comes to our rooms, we have everything the modern student needs. Our luxury pod student apartments offer an open-plan living area and kitchen, a separate bathroom with a double bed and an en-suite shower room. These rooms have a double bed and wardrobe as well as a 40" smart TV. We also offer gold studios, which have an open plan living area and kitchen and a partition wall between the living area and bedroom. Each has an en-suite shower room, queen or double bed, double wardrobe and a 40" smart TV.
Silver studio rooms have an en-suite, a queen or double bed, a mini kitchen with a fridge, a microwave oven, and a small sofa. The en-suite rooms also have a shared kitchen and living space, the perfect place to hang out with new mates. The kitchen has a cooker, microwave, fridge freezer and breakfast bar.
Every room at Brunel Court has fixed internet and Wi-Fi, a desk with a chair and pinboard, plenty of power points and a chest of drawers. Virtual tours of our rooms are available.
With modern décor and plenty to do, Brunel Court will feel like a home away from home in no time. To find out more about our rooms, check out the accommodation section of our website. Or please get in touch with Brunel Court to see what is on offer.