13 Reasons to Study in Cornwall

The surf vibes in the south-west are strong, let me warn you! Cornwall’s north coast is one of the most popular areas to surf in the UK. Watergate Bay is perfect for beginners with reasonably sized waves for learning on or for body boarding. If you fancy a couple of lessons you can head to Newquay where there are plenty of surf schools to choose from. Or you could wait for the universities to organize discounted sessions!

Falmouth is buzzing all year round thanks to the large student population. The bars and pubs that line the high street offer plenty of opportunities to unwind after a long day at university! My favorite place was Beerwolf Books, a book-shop-come-pub. It’s the coziest place to hang out in the winter, while in the summer you have the pier and docks to enjoy. There are also endless food options, my favorites included the Meat Counter for delicious burgers, Cribbs for the best Caribbean food you’ll find in Cornwall and Fuel for hangover curing breakfasts.

The options here are endless, but some of the best outdoor activities I tried while studying in Cornwall included kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, coasteering, snorkeling, archery... ok, you get the idea! Most of these I tried for free through the university, but you can also outsource for even more options. If you’re already adventurous, Cornwall is perfect for you. If you’re not a big fan of outdoor sports then you can get involved with the university allotment, going bird watching or checking out the open-air cinemas!

Compared to the rest of the UK, Cornwall is a reasonably affordable place to live. This always goes down well with a student budget especially when you don’t have to compromise your quality of living to save a few pennies. I got by on a tiny budget while living in Falmouth, but you always have the option of finding a job, which universities are happy to help you with.

In under three hours by ferry you can be in England’s beautiful archipelago, the Isles of Scilly. Uncrowded, unspoilt, and boasting amazing subtropical plants and sandy beaches, it makes for a perfect weekend away, island hopping and relaxing in a landscape that could easily be mistaken for somewhere in the Mediterranean. There are five dark sky reserves, lots of beautiful places to stay and amazing restaurants to try. This is a must do while studying in Cornwall and an amazing benefit to living in the south-west.

As a student, you’ll never have a free weekend. And this is even more true when you live in Cornwall because there is so much to see. From Pendennis Castle to the Lost Gardens of Heligan, I remember feeling spoilt for choice. You can reach most places via public transport and get discounted entry for being a student. There are amazing museums to explore as well, my favorite being the Tate St Ives. You can also tick The Minack Theatre, Eden Project and St Michael’s Mount off your bucket list!

English seaside towns are notorious for their traditional festivals and the International Sea Shanty Festival is one of Falmouth’s best. The Beer Festival and Oyster Festival are also big events in the year and both great fun. These types of festival are authentic and unique, giving a real feel for old Cornwall. The Cornish culture is strong and the locals are very proud of their history. It shows in events like these, and you won’t want to miss them.

Masked Ball hosts three festivals throughout the year, the most popular being for Halloween. It really is a festival like no other, the theme this year being American Horror Story! In fact, they describe the festivals themselves as “immersive, multi-level party kingdoms”. Boardmasters is slightly more mainstream but just as fun. The line-up is always amazing, and the combination of music, surf and beach life is characteristically Cornish, so it couldn’t be more perfect!

Cornwall is one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations for a reason. The subtropical climate, incredible beaches, warm(ish) water…I could go on! Its universities are also both at the top of their fields for research and student satisfaction. So, having the opportunity to live and study there, potentially for three years is ideal! You can’t go wrong. My three years in Falmouth felt like an extended holiday and I loved every second.