Bristol vs. London

The UK has been ranked among the top countries for education and students life. Among its many vibrant cities, London and Bristol are both well known for being culture and media hubs, fantastic food, and are renowned for the quality education they provide. London, also known as the Big Smoke, is the capital of the United Kingdom, and the top-ranked student city in UK. On the other hand, Bristol is renowned for its academic excellence, connection to the country and is the art and cultural centre. Let’s look deeper at the key difference between Bristol vs. London.

Bristol vs. London: Education

Bristol and London are some of the best places in UK for education. The main differences of education between these cities are mentioned below:

London 

There are around 40 universities in London that provide courses in a variety of areas. Undergraduate, postgraduate, and foundational education is of excellent quality, with numerous universities receiving gold awards for teaching excellence. The average annual cost of studying in London is estimated to be at least £13,200 (₹ 13.6 Lacs) Some of the best universities in London are: 

• UCL (University College London)
• Imperial College London
• SOAS – School of Oriental and African Studies
• University of London
• Queen Mary University of London
• King’s College London (KCL)
• Brunel University
• Birkbeck College
• The Royal Holloway University of London

Bristol

The major universities in the UK that are situated in Bristol are:

• University of Bristol
• The University of the West of England
• City of Bristol College
• South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
• St Brendan’s Sixth Form College
• Graduate School of Education
• Redcliffe Sixth Form Centre
• Churchill Hall

Bristol vs. London: Living Cost

Another major parameter to consider while comparing the two cities is the living costs. Living in London is slightly more expensive as compared to Bristol. The costs include student accommodation, fees, travel etc. In Bristol, you will need around £3,410(₹3.51 Lacs) to maintain a standard of living while in London it’s about £4,800 (₹4.92 Lacs).

Service	Cost in London	Cost in Bristol
Single Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre, Outside Centre)	£1,688.63(₹17.3 Lacs),  £1,278.94(₹13.16 Lacs)	£925 (₹95,134)£735.45 (₹75,721.49)
Utilities (Basic + Internet)	£219.1(₹22,558)	£188.97(₹19456.24)
Sports and Leisure	£71.94(₹7,406.90)	£50.8(₹5230.34)
Taxi Tariff (1 Km)	£1.70(₹175.03)	£1.33(₹136.94)
One-Way Ticket	£2.80(₹ 288.29)	£2.50(₹257.40)
Inexpensive Meal for One	£15.00(₹1,544.36)	£15.00(₹1,544.36)

*The data is taken from Numbeo.com

Bristol vs. London: Life

London

London is a cultural hub, with a variety of activities you can undertake, including silent art exhibitions, active rock climbing activities, et cetera. The city has restaurants that are open 24/7 and its transport system is a gem of the city, with an underground train system (known as the Tube) and buses running across the entirety of London

Only 57% of Londoners are British by birth. The rich international environment includes people from other countries and cultures such as France, India, China, Turkey, Brazil, the United States, Poland, and more. It’s the perfect place to establish a global network of friends or future business partners.

Bristol

Bristol is slowly growing its reputation as a creative hub, one where you won’t walk far without coming across lively murals. Bristol is incredibly diverse, with almost 100 languages spoken in the city, is LGBTQ+ friendly, and is abundant in greenery, with green pockets like Brandon Hill and College Green, alongside Clifton Down, Leigh Woods, and Ashton Court. Bristol also hosts numerous live music venues, art spaces, and festivals to enjoy, such as the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. It is held every August and is renowned for being the biggest hot air balloon event in Europe. It is also one of the biggest media hubs outside of London. Lastly, the city is famous for its excellent links to both the seaside and the countryside. 

Bristol vs. London: Tourist Attractions

There are several tourist attractions in London and Bristol. While London is known for popular places like Buckingham Palace, Bristol is known for its nature, art galleries, parks, and museums.

London

If you’re thinking of roaming around London on a day off and visiting some spectacular places, you’re in luck. London is home to a variety of attractions, like:

• The Big Ben
• London Eye
• Buckingham Palace
• St. Paul’s Cathedral
• British Museum 
• Tower of London
• SEALIFE London
• Warner Bros. Studio Tour of Harry Potter

London also has a Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour service, which will take you to some of the city’s greatest attractions, accompanied by a live or audio guide. 

Explore the Fun Facts about Living in London as a Student

Bristol

Bristol is home to many tourist attractions, from art galleries, parks and monuments. Make sure to visit these phenomenal attractions so you don’t miss out on what makes life in Bristol so tied to its culture!!

• Cabot Tower, Brandon Hill Park – Celebrates John Cabot’s voyage to North America in 1497.
• S.S. Great Britain – The first steamship to make regular Atlantic crossings. Currently sitting at the Great Western Dockyard in Bristol from where it was first launched.
• Bristol Zoo Gardens
• We the Curious – A Science and Arts Center
• Ashton Court Estate
• St. Mary Redcliffe
• Bristol Cathedral
• Llandoger Trow 
• Clifton Suspension Bridge

Bristol vs. London: Work

Both London and Bristol offer work opportunities for students. Some of the work opportunities available in these cities are mentioned below:

London

London’s great international environment attracts businesses from all over the world, providing exceptional opportunities for your future career. These include banks, media companies, publishers and various other businesses out to hire new employees. Renowned companies include the likes of the BBC, Marks & Spencer, Calvin Klein, Coca-Cola Enterprises, HSBC Bank, Paramount, Porsche. Universities themselves advertise internships in some of the top international companies. London has an average salary of £39k(₹40.33 Lacs) per year. It has great prospects for a substantial pay rise in the future as the average salary in London is almost 53% higher than graduate salaries.

Read about the UK Post Study Work Visa

Bristol

With an average salary of ₹31k(₹32.06 Lacs), Bristol has a plethora of opportunities waiting for you following your studies. Top industries in Bristol include aerospace engineering, creative media, journalism, technology, electronics, information technology and financial services, with multinational brands having a presence in the city. A variety of aeroscience and aircraft manufacturing companies such as Bristol Aeroplane Company, Rolls Royce, KPMG, Tesco and Aviva all have a huge presence in Bristol. You can work at the National Research Laboratory, or Cameron Balloons, who are responsible for the largest production of hot air balloons.

Also Read: UK Visa Application

FAQs

As you can see, both cities have their pros and cons. While London is much more expensive than Bristol, the opportunities it provides are far greater, however, Bristol also has its advantage, as being a quaint green city. Confused about which city to choose? London or Bristol? Our study abroad professionals will assist you. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 to schedule a free 30-minute counselling consultation!