Falmouth at a glance
Falmouth has an amazing location, with lots of beaches accessible by foot from the town centre, or by car/bus/train, to The Lizard peninsula, Land’s End, St Ives, Newquay, and many more! It's such a great place to live as a student because you have a mix of the nightlife of a student town, and the calm life of a coastal town. There are lots of opportunities to get involved with the Cornish culture too, like the Sea Shanty Festival, gig rowing, and all the amazing food! (Third year student, University of Exeter)
Airport
Train station
Student population
Browse through the universities and colleges in Falmouth to find one that suits you.
City highlights
Stroll along Falmouth’s picturesque waterfront and explore the historic Pendennis Castle overlooking the sea. The town hosts events such as Falmouth Week and the Sea Shanty Festival, and the Falmouth Art Gallery is a hub for local creativity. Students often gather at Gyllyngvase Beach or take part in creative workshops and pop-up exhibitions across town.
Gylly Beach: It's a great place to have barbecues with friends, look at the rockpools, and swim. (Exeter University student)
Student life in Falmouth
Local gems, tips, and things to do, as recommended by students.
Low on cash
Friday night out
Sunday chilling
Feeling cultural
Transport tips
Falmouth is easy to explore on foot or by bike, and most student housing is close to campus and town. The town has two train stations with connections to Truro, where you can catch mainline trains to London and beyond. Bus routes serve the surrounding area, and Cornwall’s student travel card offers great discounts. Newquay and Exeter airports are the nearest for international travel.
Accommodation
Most students live in Penryn, Falmouth, or close to the university’s two campuses. Accommodation ranges from university-managed halls to shared housing, with options to suit a range of budgets. The University’s Student Support team offers help with housing, wellbeing, and visas, helping international students settle into their new home by the sea.
International student information
Discover everything you need to know as an international student planning to come to the UK.
Whether you're coming for the first time, returning for postgraduate, or are still waiting to make a decision, our international pages can help you prepare as best you can for life in the UK.
Where to eat
Falmouth’s food scene is diverse and creative. Try Stones Bakery for artisan treats, Harbour Lights for classic fish and chips, or Cribbs Caribbean for something spicy. Students love the relaxed cafés and food markets dotted around the harbour. Vegetarian, vegan, and international options are easy to find, and there are plenty of budget-friendly choices.
What to visit
Don’t miss the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, or take a coastal walk to Swanpool and Maenporth beaches. Art fans can enjoy exhibitions at The Poly, and the town hosts a wide range of student-led events, screenings, and pop-ups. Boat trips, kayaking, and paddleboarding are also popular ways to make the most of Falmouth’s stunning coastal location.
Falmouth Harbour
As it’s quite a small town, there’s not too much in the way of clubs, with the main ones being Mangos, Kings, and Club International – although there are lots of one night, word-of-mouth events to look out for. Lots of very small quirky bars and pubs around though, which also tend to host different events from time to time. Never had a bad night out really!
I chose to live in Falmouth rather than Penryn, as I wanted to be closer to town, and have more accessibility to the beach and nightlife. This suits me really well. It takes me about five minutes to get into town, where you have Tesco as well as the shops and pubs on the high street. A downside of Falmouth is that everywhere is a hill, so going into town is the easy part, but getting back to your house isn’t as easy! A bus into uni takes about 20 minutes, but I have a car and it takes ten minutes. I take the rest of my house, and we each split parking. I tend to drive to Lidl to do my shopping, which works out cheaper for me and is only a five-minute drive.
On your doorstep
Falmouth is a gateway to Cornwall’s breathtaking scenery. Take day trips to St Ives, Newquay, or the Eden Project. Explore the Lizard Peninsula, visit ancient stone circles, or hike dramatic cliffs along the South West Coast Path. For a change of pace, Truro and Plymouth offer city experiences just a short train ride away.
Kynance Cove on Lizard Point its the best place to go for clifftop walks. (Falmouth University student)
Basic safety
It’s important to adhere to basic safety practices when studying and living in any city. Being aware of your surroundings is always wise, especially in busy and populated areas.
Some basic advice from the Metropolitan Police will help to ensure you stay as free from crime as possible:
- Keep your valuables hidden and don’t carry large amount of cash.
- Beware of scams, such as street hustlers, unlicensed taxis, and non-official sellers.
- Keep your belongings, shopping, and luggage close to you at all times.
- Don’t leave your drinks unattended or accept them from strangers.
- Travel as a group and always make sure you tell your friends you got home safely, and vice versa.
- Double check all taxis have a visible and valid licence before using them.
UCAS Hub
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