Student Accommodation

Cheltenham

University of Gloucestershire

The University of Gloucestershire traces its roots back to 1847, when it began as a teacher training college, before gaining university status in 2001. Today it comprises three campus sites across Cheltenham and Gloucester: Francis Close Hall, Oxstalls, and The Park, with The Park in Cheltenham serving as the university’s heart and largest site. It’s home to a diverse student community, with small class sizes and dedicated personal tutors offering guidance from day one, across a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Students benefit from close links to industry and employers throughout their studies.

Cheltenham has become something of a food destination, with eight restaurants featured in the Michelin Guide and a growing reputation for quality dining. The Brewery Quarter brings together a wide mix of restaurants, bars, and street food under one roof, while Montpellier and The Suffolks are home to independent cafés and eateries with plenty of character. Whether you’re after a quick bite between lectures or a proper night out with friends, there’s no shortage of choice within easy reach of your accommodation.

Cheltenham’s nightlife has plenty to offer, from lively student favourites to more relaxed evenings out. MooMoo is the town’s largest club and a firm fixture on the student social scene, while the Frog & Fiddle has built a reputation over more than twenty years as a live music venue with a strong student following. For something a little different, Montpellier’s wine bars and gin specialists like Gin and Juice offer a more laid-back alternative when you fancy slowing the pace down.

Sport runs deep in Cheltenham, most famously through Cheltenham Racecourse, home to the Cheltenham Festival each March and its centrepiece event, the Gold Cup, one of the most prestigious fixtures in the racing calendar. Football fans can follow Cheltenham Town FC at Whaddon Road, where the club competes in EFL League Two. Add in the Cheltenham Cricket Festival each summer, and there’s a sporting event to catch throughout the year.

Cheltenham’s shopping scene blends high street names with independent charm. The Promenade is lined with boutiques and designer stores, while Montpellier’s elegant streets are home to the historic Montpellier Arcade, one of the UK’s first purpose-built shopping arcades. For a wider mix of retailers under one roof, Regent Arcade offers over sixty stores and cafés in the town centre, complete with its famous Wishing Fish Clock.

Known as The Festival Town, Cheltenham hosts an impressive calendar of events throughout the year. The world’s oldest literature festival takes place here each autumn, alongside renowned jazz, music, and science festivals that draw visitors from across the UK. Add in the Cheltenham Festival at the racecourse each March, and there’s rarely a quiet month in this corner of the Cotswolds.