🎈 Bristol International Balloon Fiesta
Thu 6 Aug · Europe's largest ballooning event at Ashton Court. Free entry!
Tomorrow
🌤️
18°C
Partly cloudy
Feels like 16°C
🌅 05:40 · 🌇 20:51
📅 7-Day Forecast
| Today | ⛅ | Partly Cloudy | 21°/14° | 🌬 20 | — | |
| Fri | ⛅ | Partly Cloudy | 22°/14° | 🌬 18 | — | |
| Sat | ⛅ | Sunny Intervals | 26°/12° | 🌬 12 | 💧 | |
| Sun | ⛅ | Light Rain PM | 25°/17° | 🌬 15 | 💧 | |
| Mon | ⛅ | Cloudy | 24°/13° | 🌬 22 | 💧 | |
| Tue | ☀️ | Sunny | 28°/16° | 🌬 10 | — | |
| Wed | 🌤 | Mostly Sunny | 28°/19° | 🌬 8 | 💧 | |
Updated 5h ago
🌍 World Clocks
🇲🇾
--:--
Malaysia
🌅 07:08 · 🌇 19:25
🇯🇵
--:--
Tokyo
🌅 04:45 · 🌇 18:49
🇨🇳
--:--
Guangzhou
🌅 05:58 · 🌇 19:08
🏠 Your Location
The Courtrooms, Rupert Street, Bristol BS1 2AF 🗺️
🏠 The Courtrooms
Rupert Street, Bristol BS1 2AF ↗
Modern purpose-built student accommodation in the heart of Bristol city centre. Part of the Unite Students portfolio. 24/7 security, parcel collection, on-site maintenance team.
🏋️ Amenities: Gym · Cinema room · Common room (pool table, PS5) · Study rooms · Laundry (£2.80/wash, £1.50/dry) · Secure bike storage · Courtyard garden · Vending machines
🛒 Nearest shops: Tesco Express (2 min, Baldwin St) · Sainsbury's Local (3 min, Queens Rd) · Waitrose (6 min, Clifton)
📦 Post: Parcels held at reception — collect with student ID. Amazon locker at Tesco Express Baldwin St.
🚶 Walking directions to campus:
1.Exit Courtrooms onto Rupert Street, head south
2.Right onto Broad Weir → Lewins Mead
3.Continue onto Park Row
4.Up Park Street (hilly — good workout!)
5.Left onto Queen's Road → Tyndall Avenue campus
🎓 Clifton Campus (Main)
Tyndall Avenue, BS8 1TH ↗
📚 Key Departments:
| Department | Building | Location |
|---|
| Computer Science | Merchant Venturers Building | Woodland Road |
| Engineering | Queen's Building | University Walk |
| Physics | HH Wills Physics Lab | Tyndall Avenue |
| Mathematics | Howard House / Fry Building | Queen's Avenue |
| Chemistry | School of Chemistry | Cantock's Close |
| Life Sciences | Life Sciences Building | Tyndall Avenue |
| Psychology ★ | School of Psychological Science | 12a Priory Road, BS8 1TU |
| Earth Sciences | Wills Memorial Building | Queen's Road |
| Law | Wills Memorial Building | Queen's Road |
📖 Libraries (Clifton Campus):
🍽️ Canteens & Food (Clifton Campus):
🚌 U1: Rupert St → SU · Every 8-12 min · £2.00 (student app) | 🚌 8, 9: The Centre → Park St Top · Every 10 min · £2.36 single
🏢 Temple Quarter Campus
Temple Back East, BS1 6DZ ↗
Departments & Facilities:
| Dept/Facility | Building |
|---|
| Business School | New campus hub — MBA, MSc, executive education |
| Digital Engineering | Bristol Digital Futures Institute |
| Library | Temple Quarter Library — 24/7, group pods, digital labs |
| Canteen | Engine Shed Café — hot meals, £4.95 meal deal |
🚌 Bus 73 from The Centre · Every 15 min · £2.36 | 🚲 Cycle via Temple Way path · 8 min · flat · 🚂 Temple Meads 2 min walk
🎓 Student Travel Passes
All First Bus student tickets verified via UoB email in the First Bus app (iOS & Android). Tap your phone on the reader — no physical card needed.
| Ticket | Valid | Price | Best if… |
|---|
| First Bus Single | 1 journey | £2.36 | Occasional 1-way |
| First Bus Day Rider | Unlimited all day | £5.00 | 3+ rides in 1 day |
| Student Day Rider | Unlimited all day | £4.50 | 3+ rides — saves 50p |
| Student Week ★ | 7 days unlimited | £18.00 | Daily commute, breaks even at 4 days |
| Student Month ★ | 30 days unlimited | £55.00 | Full month — £1.83/day |
| Academic Year ★ | Sept–June (10 months) | £380 | Best value: ~£1.27/day! |
| U1 Single (student app) | Campus route only | £2.00 | Short trips to campus |
| U1 10-Trip Bundle | 10 × U1 rides | £16.00 | £1.60/ride savings |
| Student Inner Zone Week | 7 days Bristol zone 1 | £14.00 | City centre only |
How to get student prices:
1. Download
First Bus App ↗
2. Register with your
@bristol.ac.uk email
3. Tap "Student ID" — verified instantly via UoB database
4. Buy mTickets in the app, activate before boarding
5. Show your phone screen to the driver or tap QR reader
💡 Pro tips: The Academic Year pass at £380 beats everything if you ride 4+ times/week. Buy before September price rise. The Student Week auto-renews — cancel anytime. Contactless card tap also works but always charges adult rate (£2.36/ride), so you lose student savings.
🚂 Student Railcards
| Card | Discount | Price | Buy |
|---|
| 16-25 Railcard | 1/3 off all rail | £30/yr | Railcard app ↗ |
| 26-30 Railcard | 1/3 off all rail | £30/yr | Railcard app ↗ |
| Two Together (×2) | 1/3 off for 2 | £30/yr | Travel with a friend |
| Family & Friends | 60% off kids, 1/3 off adults | £30/yr | When family visits |
💡 With a Railcard, Bristol → Bath drops to £5.60 return. Bristol → London Paddington £28 return (vs £42.50 full). Pays for itself in 1-2 trips. Works on GWR, CrossCountry, and all National Rail.
🛴 E-Scooters & Cycling
Bristol is part of the West of England e-scooter trial (legal on roads & cycle lanes only — not pavements). Two operators:
🟡 VoiLargest fleet in Bristol
| Plan | Cost | Details |
|---|
| Pay-as-you-go | £1 unlock + 20p/min | 10 min ride = £3.00 |
| Day Pass | £10/day | Unlimited 45-min rides (pause between) |
| Voi Pass (Monthly) ★ student | £35/mo | Unlimited 45-min rides + free unlock |
| Voi Pass (Annual) ★ student | £300/yr | Best value: breaks even in 8.5 months |
📱 Download Voi app ↗ · Verify student status in Profile → Student Discount · Pause ride for 10p/min
🔵 TierNewer fleet, slightly cheaper
| Plan | Cost | Details |
|---|
| Pay-as-you-go | £1 unlock + 17p/min | 10 min ride = £2.70 |
| Day Pass | £8/day | Unlimited 30-min rides |
| Tier Pass (Monthly) ★ student | £29/mo | Unlimited 30-min rides |
📱 Download Tier app ↗ · Verify via UNiDAYS for student pricing · Swappable battery stations around city
📋 Rules & Tips:
⚠️ Must follow: Ride on roads & cycle lanes only (no pavements). Max 12.5mph. 18+ only with provisional or full driving licence (upload in app). No-ride zones: Parts of Clifton Village, steep sections of Park Street, Castle Park. Speed auto-limited in slow zones.
🅿️ Parking: Must park in designated bays (shown in-app as blue P icons). Common bays near: The Courtrooms (Rupert St), SU building, Wills Memorial, Broadmead. Fine for incorrect parking: £25.
🔋 Each scooter shows battery range in-app. Tier has swappable batteries at partner shops — Voi does not.
🛡️ Insurance: Both include third-party liability. Consider personal accident cover (~£3/mo via app).
🚲 Cycling Options:
🚲 YoBike (docked bike share): £1 per 30 min. Stations at College Green, Broadmead, Temple Meads. Docked bikes = no parking fines.
🚲 Bristol Bike Project (Stokes Croft ↗): Refurbished bikes from £80. 3-month warranty. Student discount available. Cheaper than 3 months of Voi/Tier!
🚲 Cycle routes to campus: Rupert St → Lewins Mead → Park Row → Park Street (steep). Alternative: Rupert St → Christmas Steps → St Michael's Hill (less steep). Both ~6 min.
💡 Recommendation: If commuting 4+ days/week, get a refurbished bike (£80-120) + a good lock (£25). Cheaper than Voi Pass within 2-3 months. Use scooters for evenings/weekends only.
✈️ Trains, Airports & London
Bristol is a major GWR hub — excellent connections to London, the South West, and Wales.
🚂 Bristol Train Stations Within 30km:
| Station | Distance | Key Routes |
|---|
| Bristol Temple Meads 📍 | 1.0 km | GWR, CrossCountry — London, Cardiff, Birmingham, SW |
| Bristol Parkway 📍 | 10 km | GWR, CrossCountry — Faster to London (20 min less) |
| Filton Abbey Wood | 6 km | Local — GWR suburb services, Bristol Metro |
| Keynsham | 10 km | GWR — Bath/Bristol local |
| Yate | 18 km | GWR — Gloucester/Birmingham line |
| Bath Spa | 21 km | GWR — London Paddington, South Coast |
🇬🇧 Bristol → London Connections:
| Route | Time | Price (std) | Price (Railcard) | Notes |
|---|
| Temple Meads → Paddington | 1h 35m | £28 single | £18.50 | GWR · Every 30 min · Direct |
| Parkway → Paddington | 1h 15m | £28 single | £18.50 | GWR · Every 30 min · Fastest option |
| → Heathrow Airport | +45 min | £44 | £29 | Change at Paddington (Heathrow Express £25) or Reading (RailAir bus £22) |
| → Gatwick Airport | 2h 30m | £37 | £24.50 | Change at Reading |
| → Stansted Airport | 3h 15m | £52 | £34.30 | Change at London Liverpool St |
| → Luton Airport | 2h 45m | £48 | £31.70 | Change at London St Pancras |
| London Coach Option | 2h 30m | £6 | N/A | National Express / FlixBus from Bond St |
💡
London day trip strategy: Book 8+ weeks ahead on
GWR ↗ for £18.50 fares. Parkway station is 15 min by bus (73) — saves 20 min vs Temple Meads. With Railcard, £18.50 each way = £37 return. Leave 7am, back by 10pm — 13+ hours in London.
The £6 coach takes 1h longer but saves £31.🏴 Cardiff & Wales Connections:
| Route | Time | Price (std) | Railcard |
|---|
| Temple Meads → Cardiff Central | 45 min | £14 | £9.25 |
| Parkway → Cardiff Central | 35 min | £12 | £7.90 |
✈️ Bristol Airport (BRS):
📍 13 km from city centre · 25-30 min by airport bus
🚌
Airport Flyer A1: Runs 24/7 from Bristol Bus Station (near Courtrooms). Every 10-20 min. £9 single, £15 return. Student discount not available.
🚕
Taxi/Uber: ~£25-30 door-to-door. Best for groups of 3+. Split 4 ways = cheaper than A1.
🚗
Drop-off: £5 for 10 min in express zone. Free in long-stay (10 min walk to terminal).
Direct flights to: London (LHR connecting), Amsterdam, Dublin, Paris, Barcelona, Malaga, Alicante, Faro, Geneva, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, Newcastle. 120+ destinations via KLM, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI, Jet2.
🇲🇾 Student note: No direct flights to KL. Best connections: KLM via Amsterdam (AMS) or Emirates via Dubai from LHR (coach from Bristol). Typical return £580-850. Book 3+ months ahead for best prices. Check
Skyscanner ↗ for deals.
🗺️ Getting to the Stations:
🚌 To Temple Meads: Walk 10 min from Courtrooms down Victoria Street. Any bus from The Centre (1, 2, 8, 9, 70, 73) — 2 stops. £2.36 single.
🚌 To Parkway: Bus 73 from The Centre (every 15 min, 30 min ride, £2.36). Or train from Temple Meads (8 min, £3.50 — but why go to Temple Meads first?).
🚲 Cycle to Parkway: ~30 min via Concorde Way cycle path (mainly off-road). Free bike parking at station
🚌 To Bus Station (for Airport Flyer / coaches): 3 min walk up Rupert Street from Courtrooms
🚌 National Express & FlixBus
| Destination | Time | Price from |
|---|
| London Victoria | 2h 30m | £5.90 |
| London Heathrow (T2/3) | 2h 15m | £8.99 |
| London Gatwick | 3h 30m | £12 |
| Birmingham | 1h 50m | £5.50 |
| Cardiff | 1h 15m | £4 |
| Manchester | 4h | £9.99 |
| Oxford | 1h 40m | £8 |
| Bristol Airport (BRS) | 25 min | £9 |
💡
Student tips: Book 2+ weeks early on
National Express ↗ or
FlixBus ↗. Compare both — FlixBus often undercuts. Pick-up at Bond Street coach station (5 min walk). Youth/student discount: 15% off with NUS/Totum on National Express.
Coach to Heathrow = cheapest way to connect for Malaysia flights.
📍 Nearby
All within 10km · Student essentials
Broadmead Post OfficeMain📍Broadmead, BS1 3EA ·
Map ↗ 5 min walk✨ Full postal services · International mail & parcels · Passport Check & Send · Travel money · Banking · Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm, Sun closed
💡 Best for parcels to Malaysia/China. Bring items unwrapped — they check contents. Tracked & Signed to Malaysia from £12.85 (small parcel).
WHSmith Post Office (Galleries)In-store📍The Galleries, Broadmead, BS1 3XB ·
Map ↗ 5 min walk✨ Counter inside WHSmith · Stamps · Letters · Small parcels · Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm, Sun 11am-3pm
💡 Quick drop-off. Shorter queues than main PO. Best for letters and small packets under 2kg.
Royal Mail Parcel Postbox24/7 Drop📍Broadmead (outside Tesco Express), BS1 3DS
5 min walk✨ Red pillar box · Pre-paid parcels (print label at home) · Collection Mon-Sat ~5pm · Letters · No counter service
💡
Use Royal Mail Click & Drop: Buy postage online at
royalmail.com ↗, print label at library, drop 24/7.
DHL Service Point (Ryman)Courier📍Ryman Stationery, Broadmead, BS1 3HA ·
Map ↗ 7 min walk✨ DHL Express drop-off · International courier · 3-5 day delivery to Asia · Tracking included · Mon-Sat 9am-5:30pm
💡 Fastest to Malaysia. DHL Express ~£25-35 for documents, 3-5 days.
UoB Arts & Social Sciences LibraryMain Library📍Tyndall Avenue, BS8 1TJ ·
Map ↗ 18 min walk✨ 6 floors · 24/7 during term · Group study rooms (book online) · Silent zones on L4-L5 · Ground floor café · 600+ PCs · Free Wi-Fi (Eduroam) · Psychology collection on L3
💡 Student: Access with UCard. Book study rooms via library portal. Busiest 11am-3pm — go early morning or after 6pm for quiet seats.
Wills Memorial LibraryHistoric📍Queen's Road, BS8 1RJ ·
Map ↗ 18 min walk✨ Law & Earth Sciences · Stunning neo-Gothic reading room · Quiet study · Individual study carrels
💡 Student: Open 8am-10pm. Worth visiting just for the architecture (Harry Potter vibes). Great for focused solo study.
Bristol Central LibraryPublic📍College Green, BS1 5TL ·
Map ↗ 10 min walk✨ Grade I listed · Free Wi-Fi · Study desks · Reference collection · Printing (10p/page B&W, 50p colour)
💡 Free. Join online with any UK address. Quieter than uni libraries on weekends. Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm.
Temple Quarter LibraryCampus📍Temple Back East, BS1 6DZ ·
Map ↗ 25 min walk / 15 min bus✨ 24/7 · Digital labs · Group pods with screens · Business & engineering focus · Modern facilities
💡 Student: Newest campus library. Best for group projects — book pods via UoB app.
Chemistry LibraryCampus📍Cantock's Close, BS8 1TS ·
Map ↗ 18 min walk✨ Specialist chemistry collection · Quiet study · Close to Physics and Maths departments
💡 Student: Open 9am-7pm weekdays. Lesser-known spot — almost always has free seats.
Senate House Study HubCampus📍Tyndall Avenue, BS8 1TH ·
Map ↗ 18 min walk✨ Open-plan study zone · Power sockets at every seat · Café downstairs (£5 meal deal) · Group tables and booths
💡 Student favourite. Open 8am-6pm. Best casual study spot on campus. £5 hot meal + drink deal for students.
ASS Library CaféCampus📍Ground floor, ASS Library, BS8 1TJ
18 min walk✨ Grab-and-go coffee · Sandwiches £3.50 · Open until 9pm term-time
💡 Student: Best spot for a study break without leaving the building.
Boston Tea Party (Park St)Café-Study📍75 Park Street, BS1 5PF ·
Map ↗ 10 min walk✨ Free Wi-Fi · Power sockets · All-day brunch (£8-12) · Laptop-friendly · Student-welcoming · Open 8am-5pm
💡 Student: One of few cafés that welcomes laptops for hours. Buy a coffee every 90 min. Get there before 10am for a good seat.
Watershed Café/BarHarbourside📍1 Canon's Road, BS1 5TX ·
Map ↗ 10 min walk✨ Harbour views · Free Wi-Fi · Quiet weekday afternoons · Open until 11pm · Food & drinks
💡 Student: Great alternative study spot with a view. Quieter than Park Street cafés. Evening study with a drink — open late.
UoB Student Union Study AreasCampus📍Richmond Building, Queens Road, BS8 1LN
15 min walk✨ Multiple study zones · Balloon Bar for drinks/food breaks · Student central · Open late during term
💡 Student: Free meeting rooms bookable via SU website. Great for group projects.
Bristol Museum & Art GalleryFREE18 min walk✨ Egyptian mummies · Dinosaur gallery · Banksy pieces · Mineral collection · Rotating exhibitions · Gift shop
💡 FREE entry. Open Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Special exhibitions ~£8 (student discount available). Perfect rainy-day activity.
M ShedFREE15 min walk✨ Bristol's story — people, places, trade · Working exhibits · Harbour views · Café · Free
💡 FREE. The balcony has one of the best harbour views in Bristol. Great for showing visiting family around.
We The CuriousScience Centre12 min walk✨ UK's first 3D planetarium · 300+ hands-on exhibits · Animation studio · Tinkering space
💡 Student ticket ~£10. Planetarium shows extra. Great for de-stressing with hands-on science fun.
Bristol Old Vic Theatre MuseumTheatre10 min walk✨ Oldest continuously operating theatre in English-speaking world (1766) · Heritage tours · Small museum
💡 Student tickets from £8 for performances. Heritage tour £5.
Tesco ExpressSupermarket📍Broadmead, BS1 3DS ·
Map ↗ 5 min walk✨ Open 6am-11pm daily · Meal deals £3.50 · Self-checkout · Amazon locker · ATM inside
💡 Student: Closest to Courtrooms. £3.50 meal deal is cheapest lunch. Tesco Clubcard prices save 20-30%.
Sainsbury's LocalSupermarket📍Queens Road, BS8 1RE ·
Map ↗ 15 min walk✨ Open 7am-11pm daily · Nectar card points · Bakery section · Larger than average Local
💡 Student: On the way to campus. Best for picking up lunch/snacks before lectures.
Wai Yee HongChinese Supermarket20 min bus✨ 🇲🇾 Malaysian groceries! · Milo · Maggi noodles · curry paste · frozen roti canai · kaya · pandan · sambal · teh tarik · instant laksa · rice (10kg bags)
💡 Bus 48/49 from The Centre. Student tip: Buy in bulk — Malaysian essentials are half the price of Amazon.
WaitroseSupermarket📍Clifton Triangle, BS8 1BN ·
Map ↗ 18 min walk✨ Premium quality · Fresh bakery · Excellent produce · Ready meals
💡 Student: Essential Waitrose range is affordable. Yellow-sticker reductions after 6pm (up to 50% off).
IcelandFrozen📍Broadmead, BS1 3HA ·
Map ↗ 5 min walk✨ Frozen foods · Budget-friendly · £1 range · Halal frozen section
💡 Budget: Cheapest for frozen meals and bulk buys. 10% student discount on Tuesdays with student ID.
Mama Bear's PantryAsian Grocer📍Park Street, BS1 5JX
10 min walk✨ 🇲🇾 🇨🇳 🇹🇭 Asian essentials · Instant noodles · Sauces · Snacks · Emergency sambal supply
💡 Student: Closer than Wai Yee Hong for quick Asian grocery runs. Saves 40 min round trip.
Wagamama££ · Student 15% off📍Cabot Circus, BS1 3BD ·
Menu ↗ 5 min walk✨ Japanese-inspired · Ramen £13 · Katsu curry · Student discount 15% with ID · Free green tea
💡 Student: 15% off Sun-Thu. Katsu curry is closest to Malaysian-style curry. Download app for birthday freebie.
Nando's££📍Park Street, BS1 5PX ·
Menu ↗ 10 min walk✨ Peri-peri chicken · 1/2 chicken £11.50 · Student favourite · Rewards card
💡 Student: Download the app — free 1/4 chicken on signup.
The Coconut Tree££ · Sri Lankan📍Gloucester Road, BS7 8AA ·
Map ↗ 15 min bus✨ 🇱🇰 Sri Lankan street food · Hoppers · Kotthu · Devil dishes · Closest to Malaysian flavours · Cocktails
💡 Malaysian student: Flavours are closest to home. Order the Kotthu Roti and Egg Hoppers. Happy hour cocktails 5-7pm.
St Nicholas Market Food Stalls£ · Street Food📍Corn Street, BS1 1JQ
7 min walk✨ 🌍 Global street food: falafel, Brazilian, Indian, Caribbean, Moroccan · Most meals £5-8 · Mon-Sat lunch only
💡 Student: Cheapest lunch in central Bristol. Eat a Pitta falafel wrap is legendary (£6.50). Go before 12:30pm.
Za Za Bazaar££ · Buffet12 min walk✨ World buffet · 200+ dishes · Asian section (noodles, curry, dim sum) · Dessert station
💡 Student: Lunch £11.99, dinner £16.99. Great for big group meals. Student discount with UNiDAYS.
Wok to Walk£ · Asian📍Park Street, BS1 5JX
10 min walk✨ Custom wok-fried noodles · Choose base + protein + sauce · £7-9 · Quick service
💡 Student: Fast, hot, affordable. Pick egg noodles + chicken + teriyaki for a comfort-food fix.
Boston Tea PartyLocal · Study-Friendly10 min walk✨ Flat white £3.40 · Free Wi-Fi · Power sockets · Brunch £8-12 · Laptop-friendly
💡 Best study café. No time limit on tables. Buy a drink every 90 min. Eggs benedict £10.
Costa CoffeeChain📍Park Street, BS1 5JX
10 min walk✨ Latte £3.50 · Free Wi-Fi · Lots of seating · Open until 7pm
💡 Costa Club app: Free drink after 10 purchases. 25p off with reusable cup.
StarbucksChain📍Cabot Circus, BS1 3BD
5 min walk✨ Open until 8pm · Large seating area · Free Wi-Fi · Mobile order
💡 Student: Starbucks Rewards — free syrups & refills. Filter coffee refills free while you stay.
Full Court PressSpecialty📍Broad Street, BS1 2HG
3 min walk✨ Award-winning specialty coffee · Single-origin · Flat white £3.50 · Small & cosy
💡 Closest to Courtrooms! Best coffee in the area. Small space — takeaway recommended.
Pret A MangerChain📍Broadmead, BS1 3BD
5 min walk✨ Organic coffee · Fresh sandwiches · £30/month subscription (up to 5 drinks/day!)
💡 Pret Subscription: £30/month for up to 5 barista drinks daily. If you buy 3+ coffees/week, this pays for itself. First month £15.
St Nicholas MarketIndoor Market7 min walk✨ Open Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm · Street food (lunch only) · Vintage clothing · Records · Crafts · Independent traders
💡 Student: Best cheap lunch in Bristol. Friday and Saturday = busiest. Browse the vintage stalls for unique finds.
Harbourside MarketWeekend📍Harbourside, BS1 5TX
15 min walk✨ Sat-Sun 10am-4pm · Street food trucks · Artisan bread · Local produce · Crafts · Live music sometimes
💡 Weekend plan: Grab lunch at the market, walk along the harbour to M Shed.
Tobacco Factory MarketSunday📍Raleigh Road, BS3 1TF
25 min walk / 10 min bus✨ Sunday 10am-2:30pm · Organic produce · Street food · Vintage · Community vibe
💡 Student: Worth the trip on a sunny Sunday. Combine with brunch at the Tobacco Factory Cafe.
The Courtrooms LaundryOn-Site📍In-building (basement level)
On site!✨ Card payment · Washer £2.80 · Dryer £1.50 · 24/7 access · Circuit Laundry app
💡 Student: Download Circuit Laundry app to see free machines. Avoid Sunday evenings.
The Gym GroupGym5 min walk✨ £20/month · 24/7 · No contract · Cardio · Free weights · Resistance machines · Functional zone · App-based entry
💡 Student: Cheapest 24/7 gym near Courtrooms. UNiDAYS for no joining fee promos.
PureGymGym📍Union Street, BS1 2DS
5 min walk✨ £22/month · 24/7 · Classes included · More floor space than The Gym Group
💡 Student: Slightly pricier but more equipment. Great for free weights. No contract — cancel anytime.
Boots PharmacyPharmacy5 min walk✨ Prescriptions · NHS services · Health essentials · Beauty · Mon-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm
💡 Student: Advantage Card for points. NHS prescriptions £9.65 (free with HC2 certificate).
Ryman StationeryStationery📍Broadmead, BS1 3EA
5 min walk✨ Notebooks · Pens · Folders · Printing & photocopying · Binding service
💡 Student: 10% student discount. Printing from USB or email.
Bristol University Print ServicesCampus📍Senate House & ASS Library
18 min walk✨ Self-service printers · B&W 5p/page · Colour 25p/page · Print from uni computers or web upload
💡 Student: Top up printing credit via UoB portal. Most convenient — print on campus between lectures.
BarclaysBank5 min walk✨ Student accounts · ATM (24/7) · Counter service Mon-Fri · International transfers
💡 Student: £500 interest-free overdraft. Book appointments via the app.
HSBCBank7 min walk✨ 🇲🇾 Familiar brand · International student accounts · Multi-currency · ATM 24/7
💡 Malaysian student: HSBC Global Money account — free transfers between HSBC Malaysia and HSBC UK.
Lloyds BankBank📍Corn Street, BS1 1HT
7 min walk✨ Student accounts · £1,500 interest-free overdraft · Everyday Offers (up to 15% cashback)
💡 Student: Best overdraft — £1,500 interest-free for 3 years.
Post OfficeServices📍Broadmead, BS1 3EA
5 min walk✨ Banking for most UK banks · Cash deposits/withdrawals · Postage · Western Union
💡 Student: Deposit cash into any UK bank account. Western Union for receiving money from Malaysia.
Wise / RevolutDigitalOnline✨ Best FX rates · Transfer MYR → GBP · Multi-currency card · Instant notifications
💡 Malaysian student essential: Use Wise to send money from Malaysia at mid-market rate. Fees ~0.4% vs 3-5% at banks.
Brandon Hill & Cabot TowerPark · Views📍Brandon Hill, BS1 5RR ·
Map ↗ 18 min walk✨ Bristol's oldest park · Cabot Tower (free, 105ft climb) · Best panoramic city views · Squirrel city · Picnic lawns
💡 Student: Go at sunset — photos from the tower are incredible. Bring peanuts for the squirrels (they're tame). Free. No closing time.
Castle ParkPark · Central📍Castle Street, BS1 3XB ·
Map ↗ 8 min walk✨ Riverside location · St Peter's Church ruins · Lawns · Benches · Lunch spot · Free summer events
💡 Student: Closest park. Grab lunch from St Nick's Market and eat on the grass. Free outdoor cinema in summer.
College GreenPark · Iconic📍College Green, BS1 5TR ·
Map ↗ 10 min walk✨ Bristol Cathedral backdrop · Sunbathing spot · Central Library next door · Popular hangout
💡 Student: The go-to sunny day spot. Bring a blanket. Gets very busy — arrive early.
Queen SquarePark · Quiet📍Queen Square, BS1 4NH
10 min walk✨ Georgian square · Quiet lawns · Statue of William III · Surrounded by restaurants · Less crowded
💡 Student: Underrated park. Much quieter than College Green. Great for reading or peaceful study outdoors.
Cabot CircusShopping Centre5 min walk✨ 90+ stores: Zara, H&M, Apple, JD Sports, M&S, Harvey Nichols, Boots, Lego, Showcase Cinema · Restaurant terrace
💡 Student: Showcase Cinema — student £7.50 Mon-Thu. UNiDAYS gives 10-20% off at many stores.
Park StreetIndependent📍Park Street, BS1
10 min walk✨ Vintage shops · Independent boutiques · Charity shops · Art supplies · Bookshops
💡 Student: Charity shops have designer finds at £5-15. Oxfam Books has course books sometimes.
BroadmeadHigh Street📍Broadmead, BS1
5 min walk✨ Primark (cheap clothes/homeware) · TK Maxx (discount brands) · Wilko (home essentials) · Sports Direct
💡 Student: Primark for budget bedding, kitchenware, and basics. TK Maxx for discounted branded clothes.
Gloucester RoadIndependent📍Gloucester Road, BS7
15 min bus✨ Bristol's indie mile · Vintage · Bookshops · Record stores · Organic groceries · Charity shops · Galleries
💡 Student: Best street for independent shopping. Take bus 70/71/73/75. Plan a full afternoon.
Clifton VillageBoutique📍The Mall, Clifton, BS8
20 min walk✨ Upscale boutiques · Delicatessens · Antique shops · The Clifton Arcade (indoor vintage) · Art galleries
💡 Student: Window-shopping paradise. The Clifton Arcade is a hidden gem — amazing vintage jewellery and curios.
iSmash (Phone Repair)Tech5 min walk💡 Student: Screen repair from £49. iPhone battery replacement £29. Same-day service. 10% student discount.
SuperdrugHealth & Beauty📍Broadmead, BS1 3HA
5 min walk✨ Toiletries · Skincare · Medicine · Makeup · Own-brand is cheap and good · Student discount 10%
💡 Student: Health & Beauty Card — points on purchases. 10% student discount with NUS/Totum card.
Barber Shop (Park St)Hair📍Park Street, BS1
10 min walk✨ Student cuts from £15 · Walk-ins welcome · Several barbers on Park Street and Christmas Steps
💡 Student: Franco's on Christmas Steps — student cut £13. Best value. Cash only — bring notes.
Timpson (Key Cutting & Shoe Repair)Services📍Broadmead, BS1 (inside Tesco)
5 min walk✨ Key cutting from £5 · Shoe repair · Watch batteries · Phone screen protector fitting · Dry cleaning drop-off
💡 Student: Spare room key from £5 — get one made when you move in. Dry cleaning drop-off saves a trip.
NHS Walk-in CentreHealthcare📍Boots, Broadmead (upstairs)
5 min walk✨ Minor ailments · Vaccinations · Contraception · No appointment needed · Free for NHS-registered
💡 Student: Register with a GP at UoB Students' Health Service (Hampton House) — closer and student-focused. Walk-in for minor issues.
📰 News
What matters for YC — Bristol · London · Campus · Malaysia
🎈 Bristol Balloon Fiesta
Europe's largest hot air balloon festival — night glows, mass ascents, fireworks. Ashton Court, 6-9 Aug. Free entry.
Cycle or walk — buses packed.
This Week
Important
8 Aug 2026Campus
🏫 UoB Term Dates 2026/27 Published
Freshers Week 21-26 Sep, teaching starts 29 Sep. Book travel now. Airport welcome desk 18-20 Sep at BRS. Accommodation check-in from 19 Sep.
7 Aug 2026London
🚇 Student Oyster Card — 30% Off
18+ Student Oyster photocard gives 30% off travelcards and bus/tram passes. Apply with UoB enrollment. Takes 2 weeks.
Apply here ↗
5 Aug 2026Bristol
🚌 First Bus App Update — QR Scanner
Student tickets now scan automatically at front doors — no more showing your phone. Update your app. mTicket verification with UoB email required.
4 Aug 2026National
💷 Maintenance Loan 2026/27: Up to £10,227
Confirmed for students living away from home outside London. Apply via Student Finance now. Malaysian students: check PTPTN/MARA for supplementary deadlines.
2 Aug 2026Bristol
🌉 Clifton Suspension Bridge 160th Light Show
Special illumination on Dec 8. View from Clifton Observatory and downs. Free. Malaysian Society considering a group outing.
1 Aug 2026Malaysia
🇲🇾 Malaysia Hall London: Student Support
Subsidised rooms (£15/night), affordable Malaysian food (canteen daily), community events at Queensborough Terrace, W2.
Register with MSD UK before visiting.MSD UK ↗
30 Jul 2026Campus
🎓 UCAS Clearing 2026 Open — Limited UoB Places
New students arriving via Clearing. Point friends to Bristol's hotline. Check UoB Accommodation portal for late-availability rooms.
Get Involved
28 Jul 2026Malaysia
🇲🇾 Merdeka Celebration — Volunteers Needed
Bristol Malaysian Society organising Merdeka event (31 Aug) at SU Richmond Building. 150+ expected. Need volunteers for food, performances, setup. DM @BristolMalaysianSoc on Instagram. £5 entry for food.
25 Jul 2026National
🎓 Graduate Route Visa Confirmed for 2026/27
2 years post-study (3 for PhD). Work at any skill level. £822 fee + £1,035/yr IHS. No job offer needed. Start saving now.
22 Jul 2026Campus
📚 Library Seat Booking App Launching Sep 2026
Book study seats at ASS, Chemistry & Temple Quarter Libraries. 3 hours/booking, 2 bookings/day. Download from UoB app store from 1 Sep.
20 Jul 2026Bristol
🛴 Voi E-Scooters Expand to Clifton Campus
Now covers Tyndall Avenue and St Michael's Hill — ride from Courtrooms to lectures in ~5 min. Park at Wills Memorial / SU bays. Student monthly pass £35.
18 Jul 2026Campus
🧠 Psychology Peer Mentoring Scheme 2026/27
School of Psychological Science launching peer mentoring — second/third-years paired with new students. Sign up at 12a Priory Road reception before Freshers Week. Great way to meet people and get settled.
15 Jul 2026Bristol
🛒 Bristol Student Discount Card — 2026 Edition
Bristol SU's discount card (£10/year) now accepted at 45+ local businesses including Boston Tea Party, Swoon Gelato, and Clifton Sausage. 10-20% off. Pick up at SU reception or order online.
12 Jul 2026Malaysia
🍜 Malaysian Food Market Returns to Bristol
Monthly Malaysian pop-up market at St Nick's Market (Corn Street). Roti canai, nasi lemak, teh tarik. First Sunday of each month, 10am-3pm. Organised by Bristol Malaysian community. £5-8 per meal.
10 Jul 2026London
✈️ AirAsia X London-Stansted to KL: New Student Fare
AirAsia X launching student-exclusive fare: London Stansted → Kuala Lumpur from £199 one-way (20kg baggage included). Book via AirAsia student portal with .ac.uk email. Valid for Dec 2026-Jan 2027 travel window. Limited seats.
5 Jul 2026Campus
🏋️ UoB Sports Centre — Student Gym Membership 2026/27
Indoor Sports Centre membership: £199/year (early bird until 15 Sep, then £229). Includes gym, pool, climbing wall, and 100+ fitness classes. Located on Tyndall Avenue, 15-min walk from Courtrooms.
📅 Events
Student life · Culture · Shows · Community
🎈 Bristol Balloon FiestaThu-Sun 6-9 Aug · Ashton Court · Free entry · Night glows 9pm · Fireworks finale Sun · Food stalls & funfair
This Week
🎪 Bristol Harbour Festival15-17 Aug · Harbourside · Live music, dance, circus, food markets · Tall ships on display · Free
Next Week
🎬 Outdoor Cinema: Bristol Summer Screens20 Aug, 8pm · Queen Square · "The Greatest Showman" · Bring blanket, snacks · £12 student ticket ·
Book ↗Film
🧠 Seminar: AI & the Future of Work12 Aug, 4pm · School of Computer Science, Merchant Venturers Building · Prof. Sarah Jones · Free · Open to all students
Seminar
🛍️ Cabot Circus Student Night18 Aug, 5pm-9pm · Cabot Circus · 20% off at 30+ stores · Free goody bag (first 500) · DJ · Competitions · Free entry with student ID
Sale
🇲🇾 Merdeka Celebration31 Aug, 6pm-11pm · SU Richmond Building · Malaysian food, cultural performances, dikir barat, games · £5 entry (food included) · Dress: batik/traditional encouraged ·
Bristol Malaysian Society IG ↗This Month
🎵 Live Music: Bristol Beacon22 Aug, 7:30pm · Bristol Beacon, Trenchard Street · Indie showcase — 3 local bands · Student ticket £8 · Bar open
Concert
🎆 Drone Light Show: Bristol Harbour30 Aug, 9pm · Harbourside · 200-drone display over the water · Free · Best viewing from Pero's Bridge & M Shed
Fireworks
🎭 Student Theatre: "The Importance of Being Earnest"3-5 Sep, 7:30pm · SU Winston Theatre · UoB Drama Society production · £6 student ticket ·
Book via SU ↗Play
🌟 Celebrity Talk: Tan France10 Sep, 6pm · Wills Memorial Building · Queer Eye star & fashion designer · Q&A session · £15 student ·
Tickets ↗Visit
🎨 Exhibition: Banksy vs Bristol Museum — 15 Years On12 Aug-30 Sep · Bristol Museum · Retrospective of Banksy's 2009 takeover · Free · Open Tue-Sun
Exhibition
🎪 Freshers' Fair 202622-23 Sep, 10am-4pm · SU & Tyndall Avenue · 200+ societies & sports clubs · Freebies, sign-ups, performances · Essential for new & returning students
Sep
🍻 SU Freshers' Launch Party26 Sep, 8pm-2am · SU Balloon Bar & The Anson Rooms · DJ sets · UV party theme · Free entry with wristband · 18+
Party
🏃 Bristol Half Marathon14 Sep, 9am · Starts Baldwin Street · Cheer point at Harbourside · Free to watch · Student volunteer marshals wanted — free t-shirt & lunch
Community
🌙 Mid-Autumn Festival Gathering15 Sep, 7pm · Brandon Hill Park · Mooncakes, lanterns, storytelling · Organised by Asian Student Societies · Free · Bring a lantern if you have one
Cultural
🎬 Bristol Film Festival: Student Shorts Night25 Sep, 7pm · Watershed Cinema · Best student films from UK universities · £5 student ticket · Q&A with filmmakers after
Film
📅 Holidays
UK · Malaysia · China — term breaks & national holidays
📌 Next 5 Holidays Coming Up
| 🇬🇧 Summer Bank Holiday | 25 Aug 2026 |
| 🇲🇾 Merdeka Day (Hari Kebangsaan) | 31 Aug 2026 |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia Day | 16 Sep 2026 |
| 🇨🇳 Mid-Autumn Festival | 25 Sep 2026 |
| 🇨🇳 China National Day | 1 Oct 2026 |
🇬🇧 UK — National Holidays & Uni Breaks
England & Wales · UoB Academic Year 2026/27
| Holiday / Break | Date | Type |
|---|
| Summer Bank Holiday | 25 Aug 2026 | National |
| Christmas Day | 25 Dec 2026 | National |
| Boxing Day | 26 Dec 2026 | National |
| New Year's Day | 1 Jan 2027 | National |
| Good Friday | 26 Mar 2027 | National |
| Easter Monday | 29 Mar 2027 | National |
| Early May Bank Holiday | 3 May 2027 | National |
| Spring Bank Holiday | 31 May 2027 | National |
UoB Term Breaks 2026/27:
| Break | Period | Duration |
|---|
| 🎄 Christmas Break | 12 Dec 2026 — 10 Jan 2027 | ~4 weeks |
| 🌸 Easter Break | 13 Mar — 18 Apr 2027 | ~5 weeks |
| ☀️ Summer Break | 5 Jun — late Sep 2027 | ~16 weeks |
💡 Travel tip: Book flights home during these breaks early — KL flights from £400 in Dec, £500+ in summer. Chinese New Year usually falls during spring term — check dates before booking.
🇲🇾 Malaysia — National & Cultural Holidays
Federal public holidays · Many states observe additional days
| Holiday | Date (2026/27) | Description |
|---|
| 🇲🇾 Merdeka Day | 31 Aug 2026 | Independence Day — parades, fireworks, national pride |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia Day | 16 Sep 2026 | Formation of Malaysia (1963) — unity celebrations |
| 🕌 Maulidur Rasul | ~6 Oct 2026* | Prophet Muhammad's birthday — religious observance |
| 🪔 Deepavali | ~8 Nov 2026* | Festival of Lights — Hindu celebration, open houses |
| 🎄 Christmas | 25 Dec 2026 | National holiday — celebrations nationwide |
| 🎆 New Year's Day | 1 Jan 2027 | National holiday |
| 🧧 Chinese New Year | ~6-7 Feb 2027* | 2-day national holiday — family reunions, angpow, lion dances |
| 🕌 Hari Raya Puasa | ~21-22 Mar 2027* | Eid al-Fitr — end of Ramadan, open houses, ketupat & rendang |
| 🛕 Thaipusam | ~28 Jan 2027* | Hindu festival — Batu Caves pilgrimage, kavadi |
| 👑 Agong's Birthday | ~5 Jun 2027 | King's official birthday — trooping the colour |
| 🕌 Hari Raya Haji | ~28 May 2027* | Eid al-Adha — Feast of Sacrifice |
| 🕌 Awal Muharram | ~26 Jun 2027* | Islamic New Year |
* Islamic & lunar calendar holidays — exact dates confirmed ~1 month before by JAKIM. Merdeka + Malaysia Day: Bristol Malaysian Society usually organises gatherings — check their Instagram.
🇨🇳 China — National Holidays & Uni Breaks
Public holidays · Relevant for friends, travel planning & cultural awareness
| Holiday | Date (2026/27) | Description |
|---|
| 🎑 Mid-Autumn Festival | 25 Sep 2026 | Mooncake festival — family reunions, lanterns |
| 🇨🇳 National Day (Golden Week) | 1-7 Oct 2026 | PRC founding (1949) — 7-day holiday, massive domestic travel |
| 🎆 New Year's Day | 1 Jan 2027 | 1-day official holiday |
| 🧧 Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) | ~6-12 Feb 2027* | 7-day holiday — largest human migration, everything closes |
| 🪦 Qingming Festival | ~5 Apr 2027 | Tomb-sweeping day — honouring ancestors, spring outings |
| 💪 Labour Day | 1-5 May 2027 | 5-day holiday — domestic tourism peak |
| 🐉 Dragon Boat Festival | ~29 May 2027* | Zongzi (rice dumplings), dragon boat races |
* Lunar calendar dates — approximate. Golden Week (Oct) + Spring Festival (Feb): avoid travelling in/out of China during these — flights expensive, trains sold out. UoB Chinese Society often organises cultural events for these festivals.
🎓 Uni Term Break Comparison
UoB vs typical Malaysian & Chinese university calendars
| Break | 🇬🇧 UoB | 🇲🇾 UM / UKM | 🇨🇳 PKU / THU |
|---|
| Christmas / Winter | ~4 weeks (Dec-Jan) | 1-2 weeks (Dec) | ~5 weeks (Jan-Feb, CNY) |
| Spring / Easter | ~5 weeks (Mar-Apr) | 1 week (Mar) | No break (classes) |
| Summer | ~16 weeks (Jun-Sep) | ~12 weeks (Jun-Aug) | ~8 weeks (Jul-Aug) |
| Mid-Semester | 1 week (Nov, Feb) | 1 week (varies) | None |
💡 Best time for YC to visit home (KL): Christmas break (4 weeks) or summer (16 weeks). CNY: UoB spring term runs through it — book early for Feb visit. Golden Week (Oct): don't travel to China. Great time for Chinese friends to visit you in Bristol.
🏷️ Deals
Food · Shopping · Student perks
🍜 Meal Deals
| Where | Deal | Price |
|---|
| Tesco Express (Broadmead) | Meal Deal: Main + Snack + Drink | £3.50 |
| Sainsbury's Local (Queens Rd) | Meal Deal: Main + Snack + Drink | £3.75 |
| Boots (Broadmead) | Meal Deal: Main + Snack + Drink | £3.99 |
| Co-op (Broadmead) | Meal Deal: Main + Snack + Drink | £3.75 |
| Pret A Manger (Broadmead) | Coffee subscription: 5 drinks/day | £30/mo |
| Greggs (Broadmead) | Sausage roll + any hot drink | £2.85 |
| Senate House Café | Hot meal + drink student deal | £5.00 |
💡 Tesco is cheapest: £3.50 gets you a £2.50 sandwich + £1.50 snack + £1.50 drink — saving £2. Clubcard prices make it even cheaper. Best value: triple sandwich or wrap + smoothie + protein snack.
🍽️ Restaurant Student Offers
| Restaurant | Deal | When |
|---|
| Wagamama (Cabot) | 15% off + free green tea | Sun-Thu with student ID |
| Nando's (Park St) | Free 1/4 chicken on app signup | Any day |
| Domino's (delivery) | 50% off collection (UNiDAYS) | Any day · Large pizza ~£11 |
| Pizza Express (Harbourside) | 40% off food (UNiDAYS code) | Mon-Wed |
| YO! Sushi (Cabot) | 25% off with student ID | Mon-Thu after 3pm |
| McDonald's (Cabot) | Free cheeseburger/drink with app | 1st app signup · Ongoing deals |
| KFC (Broadmead) | £1.99 snack box (app) | Student Beans app required |
| Subway (Broadmead) | Footlong £5.99 student deal | With student ID |
| Franco Manca (Harbourside) | Any pizza £6.50 student | Mon-Fri lunch, show ID |
| Za Za Bazaar (Harbourside) | Student lunch £11.99 | Mon-Fri with UNiDAYS |
💡 Best combo: Domino's large pizza £11 collection + 50% off = £5.50. Grab a group and split. Pizza Express 40% off Mon-Wed — £8-10 mains become £5-6.
🛒 Grocery Savings
| App / Card | Savings | Where |
|---|
| Tesco Clubcard | 20-30% off Clubcard prices | Tesco · Free app |
| Nectar Card | Points = ££ off + special prices | Sainsbury's · Free |
| Lidl Plus | Coupons + free bakery item | Lidl · Free app |
| Too Good To Go | Magic bags £2-4 (meals/snacks) | App · £60/yr saved avg |
💡 Student grocery budget: Lidl + Too Good To Go + Tesco Clubcard = ~£25-30/week on food. Download Too Good To Go — Costa, Pret, and local bakeries put unsold food in £3 bags after 5pm. Greendale Farm Shop also participates.
🎒 Student Accessories & Tech
| Item | Deal | Where |
|---|
| Stationery | 10% student discount | Ryman · Broadmead |
| Notebooks & Pens | Budget range from 50p | Wilko · Broadmead |
| Apple MacBook | Education pricing + free AirPods (Sep) | Apple Edu Store ↗ |
| iPad / Pencil | Education pricing (~10% off) | Apple Edu Store ↗ |
| Microsoft Office 365 | FREE with UoB email | portal.office.com ↗ |
| Adobe Creative Cloud | Student: £16.24/mo (vs £52) | Adobe Student ↗ |
| Laptop Repair | Free diagnosis · Student repair 20% off | iSmash · Cabot Circus |
| Phone Screen Repair | £49 iPhone · 10% student discount | iSmash · Cabot Circus |
| Textbooks | Used from £5 · Sell back after term | AbeBooks ↗ · Amazon 2nd hand |
| Course Books | Free in ASS Library · Borrow 4 weeks | UoB Library catalogue |
💡 Never pay full price for software. Office 365 is free with your UoB email. Adobe Creative Cloud at 69% off student rate. Apple Back to School (Jul-Sep) = free AirPods with Mac/iPad. Textbook hack: Library has all core reading — check before buying. Used copies on AbeBooks are £5-15 vs £40-80 new.
📱 Student Digital Perks
| Service | Student Price | Normal |
|---|
| Spotify Premium | £5.99/mo | £11.99/mo |
| Amazon Prime | £4.49/mo | £8.99/mo |
| Apple Music | £5.99/mo | £10.99/mo |
| Apple TV+ | FREE with Apple Music | £8.99/mo |
| YouTube Premium | £7.99/mo | £12.99/mo |
| UNiDAYS | Free — 200+ brand discounts. Nike 10%, ASOS 10%, Gymshark 10% |
| Student Beans | Free — similar to UNiDAYS. KFC, Domino's, JD Sports codes |
| Totum (NUS) | £14.99/yr — Co-op 10%, Tastecard (2-for-1 dining), Amazon Prime 6mo free |
💡 Sign up for both UNiDAYS and Student Beans (free) — they have different exclusive codes. Totum card (£14.99) pays for itself if you shop at Co-op and eat out twice with Tastecard. Amazon Prime Student: 6 months free, remember to cancel before paid period if not needed.
🛍️ Mall & High Street Deals
| Store | Student Discount | Where |
|---|
| H&M | 10% off with student ID | Cabot Circus |
| New Look | 15% off (UNiDAYS) | Cabot Circus |
| JD Sports | 10% off (Student Beans) | Cabot Circus |
| Boots | 10% off + Advantage Card points | Broadmead |
| Superdrug | 10% off + Health & Beauty Card | Broadmead |
| Schuh | 10% off (UNiDAYS) | Cabot Circus |
| Primark | No discount but already cheapest | Broadmead |
| TK Maxx | Already 60% off RRP — no extra | Broadmead |
💡 Always ask at checkout: "Do you have a student discount?" Many shops don't advertise it but apply it when asked. Cabot Circus often runs Student Night events (next: 18 Aug — 20% off 30+ stores). Follow @CabotCircus ↗ for announcements.
🆘 SOS
Save these numbers now — don't wait until you need them
🚨 Life-Threatening Emergency
999
Police · Ambulance · Fire · Coastguard — 24/7 · Free · Works even with no credit
🏥
111
NHS · Medical Advice
🧠
116 123
Samaritans · 24/7
👮
101
Police · Non-Emergency
🔥
0800 111 999
Gas Emergency · Free
⚡
105
Power Cut · National Grid
🎓
0117 331 1223
Uni Security · 24/7 Patrol
Health & Sickness
🏥 When You're Sick
| Situation | What To Do | Contact |
|---|
| Life-threatening | Call ambulance immediately | 999 |
| Urgent but not life-threatening | Walk to A&E or call 111 first | 111 |
| Feeling unwell · unsure what to do | Call NHS 111 — they assess & direct you | 111 |
| Mental health crisis · suicidal thoughts | Call Samaritans — talk any time | 116 123 |
| Mental health support (non-urgent) | UoB Wellbeing Service — free counselling | Portal ↗ |
| Need a GP appointment | Register with Student Health Service or local GP | See below ↓ |
📍 Nearest Medical Facilities
🏥 Bristol Royal Infirmary (A&E)24/7 · Emergency📍Marlborough Street, BS2 8HW · 15 min walk from Courtrooms
🕐Open 24 hours · All emergencies · Walk-in
🩺 Student Health ServiceGP📍Hampton House, St Michael's Hill, BS6 6AU · 20 min walk
📞0117 330 2720 · Register online with your student ID
💊 Boots Pharmacy (Broadmead)Nearest📍Broadmead Shopping Centre · 5 min walk
🕐Mon-Sat 9am-6pm · Sun 11am-5pm · NHS prescriptions £9.65/item
🦷 Bristol Dental HospitalEmergency Dental📍Lower Maudlin Street, BS1 2LY · 12 min walk
📞Call 111 first for dental emergencies — they triage
🧠 Mental Health & Crisis Support
If you're struggling — you are not alone. These services are free, confidential, and there for you:
| Service | Contact | When |
|---|
| Samaritans | 116 123 | 24/7 · Free · Call or email jo@samaritans.org |
| SHOUT Crisis Text | Text SHOUT to 85258 | 24/7 · Free · If you can't talk |
| Papyrus (under 35) | 0800 068 4141 | 9am-midnight · Suicide prevention for young people |
| UoB Wellbeing Service | Book online ↗ | Mon-Fri · Free counselling for students |
| Nightline Bristol | bristolsu.org.uk/nightline ↗ | 8pm-8am · Run by students, for students |
| Togetherall | togetherall.com ↗ | 24/7 · Online peer support · Free with UoB email |
Utilities & Repairs
🔧 Utilities & Household Repairs
| Issue | Contact | Notes |
|---|
| ⚡ Power outage | 105 | National Grid · Free · Report postcode online too |
| 🔥 Smell gas | 0800 111 999 | Call immediately — go outside first |
| 💧 Water / burst pipe | 0345 702 3797 | Bristol Water · 24/7 |
| 🚰 No water / low pressure | wessexwater.co.uk ↗ | Check website for known outages |
| 🚿 Blocked drain | 0345 702 3797 | Same as burst pipe line |
| 🚽 Toilet / sink blocked | The Courtrooms reception | Maintenance team handles all plumbing |
| 🔑 Lost key / lockout | The Courtrooms reception | 24/7 · Replacement ~£15 |
| 🪟 Broken window / door | The Courtrooms reception | Report immediately — security risk |
| 🔥 No heating / hot water | The Courtrooms reception | Emergency repair within 24h |
| 💡 Light / electrical fault | The Courtrooms reception | Do NOT DIY electrical repairs |
| 🐀 Pests | The Courtrooms reception | They arrange pest control |
💡 Tip: Report all maintenance issues to Courtrooms reception first — they coordinate repairs.
🔨 Tradespeople & Services
🔑
Locksmith: Bristol Lock & Safe ↗ · 0117 955 5555 · 24/7 · From £65
🔌
Electrician: Bristol Electrical ↗ · 24/7 · ~£80/hr
🚿
Plumber: Emergency Plumbers Bristol ↗ · £90-120 callout
🧹
Cleaner: Courtrooms noticeboard or student FB groups · £12-15/hr
🔧
Handyman: TaskRabbit app · Furniture, mounting · From £20
👗
Dry cleaning: Timpson (Tesco Broadmead) · Suits from £12
👞
Shoe repair: Timpson (Tesco Broadmead) · Heels £12
🔪
Key cutting: Timpson (Tesco Broadmead) · From £5
🪡
Clothing repair: Stitch Express (Park Street) · From £8
💡 Check with reception first — most repairs are free. Never pay cash upfront. Ask in "Bristol Malaysian Society" or "UoB Freshers" groups for trusted recommendations.
🌪️ Natural Disasters & Severe Weather
UK risks are low but real — stay prepared, not scared
⚠️ UK emergency alert system: The government sends emergency alerts to all compatible phones (4G/5G) via Cell Broadcast. You CANNOT opt out of life-threatening alerts. They appear as a loud siren-like sound + on-screen message. You don't need to sign up — it's automatic.
| Threat | UK Risk | What To Do | Key Info |
|---|
| 🌊 Flooding |
Medium · Bristol area |
Check flood warnings at gov.uk/flood ↗ · Never walk/drive through flood water · Move valuables upstairs · Unplug electrics |
Floodline: 0345 988 1188 · 24/7 · Courtrooms is uphill from Avon — low risk |
| ⛈️ Severe Storms |
Medium · Winter |
Stay indoors · Close windows/curtains · Charge devices · Avoid parks/trees · Met Office warnings ↗ |
Wind speeds >50mph = red warning · Named storms (e.g. Storm Isha) make national news |
| 🌡️ Heatwave |
Low-Med · Summer |
Drink water (2L+/day) · Close curtains on sunny side · Use fans · Avoid 11am-3pm outdoors · Check on vulnerable neighbours |
UK Heat-Health Alert: gov.uk/heat-alert ↗ · 30°C+ triggers Level 3 |
| ❄️ Snow & Ice |
Low-Med · Dec-Feb |
Stock 2-3 days food/water · Buses may stop — check First Bus app · Uni closes if severe — check UoB alerts · Wear layers + waterproof shoes |
Bristol rarely gets >5cm snow · Ice on pavements is main danger · Grit bins on main roads |
| 🔥 Fire (Building) |
Low · Any time |
GET OUT, STAY OUT, CALL 999. Do NOT use lift · Do NOT collect belongings · Close doors behind you · Meet at assembly point · Know your floor's fire exit NOW |
Courtrooms has fire alarms in every flat · Weekly alarm tests · Evacuation floor plans in common areas · Never disable smoke detectors |
| 🧪 Chemical / HAZMAT |
Very Low |
Go indoors · Close all windows/doors · Turn off ventilation · Tune to BBC Radio Bristol 94.9 FM or check BBC Bristol News ↗ |
Avonmouth industrial area is 6km away — low risk for city centre |
| 🦠 Pandemic / Health |
Very Low |
UoB has pandemic response plan · Check university email · International students: keep passport + visa accessible · Know your High Commission contact |
Malaysian High Commission London: +44 20 7235 8033 · Register with them for emergencies |
| 🌍 Earthquake |
Negligible |
UK has ~300 quakes/year, almost all <3.0 magnitude (unfelt). If you feel shaking: Drop, Cover, Hold. Stay away from windows. |
Last felt quake in Bristol: 2018 (2.8 magnitude, Swansea area) · No structural risk |
🎒 Build a basic emergency kit (keep in your room):
🔦 Torch: With spare batteries (power cuts in storms)
🔋 Power bank: 10,000mAh+ · Fully charged · Backup for phone alerts
💊 First aid kit: Plasters, antiseptic, paracetamol, any prescription meds (3-day supply)
🥫 Food & water: 2-3 days non-perishable (instant noodles, canned food, biscuits) + 2L bottled water
📻 Radio: Battery-powered or wind-up for BBC Radio Bristol (94.9 FM) if internet down
📄 Documents: Passport photocopy, BRP card copy, insurance details, emergency contacts written on paper (not just phone)
🧥 Warm clothes & blanket: UK winter power cuts mean no heating — have a warm layer ready
💵 Cash: £20-50 in small notes — card machines fail in power cuts
📱 Download these apps before you need them: Met Office (weather warnings) · What3Words (give exact location to 999) · SafeZone (UoB emergency) · first aid by British Red Cross (offline guide)