With a combination of low living costs, safety, great location, cultural vibrancy, gastronomy and a welcoming climate, Toulouse is an attractive prospect for students wanting to study in France. 

Student.com will give you an opportunity to take advantage of affordable student accommodation in Toulouse. 

We currently list student residences in some of the most convenient locations in the city. 

All of our listed student housing properties, from shared student apartments to fully private rooms, are from trusted landlords.

If you’re thinking about studying in the ‘Pink City’ of France and need a trusted source for student accommodation, give us a call or contact us on live chat.

Get to know Toulouse

Toulouse is nestled between a bend in the Garonne River and the mighty Canal du Midi and sits near the Spanish border.

Thanks to this advantageous geographical location, as well as its welcoming atmosphere, and the charm of its historic architecture and culture, Toulouse is one of the jewels in France's south-westerly crown.

Known as ‘The Pink City’ (La Ville Rose) due to the terra-cotta/pink bricks used in many of its buildings, Toulouse is peppered with unique historical infrastructure such as the impressive Capitole de Toulouse. The enchanting Vieux Quartier (Old Quarter) and its many historic coral-coloured buildings are a hit amongst the many tourists that visit the city. Many of the main sights and landmarks such as the City Hall (Le Capitole) are located in the city's main public square (Place du Capitole). 

Built in the mid-18th century, Le Capitole contains one of the country's most prestigious opera venues, the Théâtre Nationale du Capitole. Other historic attractions are the Halle aux Grains Stadium, the medieval watermill that is Le Bazacle, and the ancient remains of the Roman Amphitheatre of Toulouse-Purpan.

After exploring some of the city’s most treasured past, step into its future with a visit to Europe’s best space museum, Cité de l’Espace (City of Space). 

Along with its beautiful architecture, the capital of France’s southern Occitanie region is also awash with culture, art, and industry. The city offers a wide range of activities within the arts, culture, and sports sectors and is also appreciated for its bubbly nightlife.

With a strong focus on academia and technology, France’s fourth-largest metropolis is among the European leaders in the fields of electronics and computing. The city is also the European capital of aeronautics and space industries.

Toulouse is also a very safe city with wonderful weather in both summer and winter seasons.

Student life in Toulouse

Toulouse attracts students from all over the world. With over 100,000 students, it’s the fourth largest student city in France.

With its reputation as a hub of high-tech industries and particular emphasis on aeronautics (as the cradle of Airbus) and space, Toulouse has a unique appeal to science and IT students. 

But that doesn’t mean the ‘Pink City’ doesn’t know how to have a good time. Toulouse offers students an exceptional quality of life as well.

Due to the small size of the city’s old centre, which hosts the majority of the city’s universities and colleges, students can move from academic life to social life by simply stepping out into the streets in the old town which is full of cafés and bars.

Whether that’s shopping, visiting museums, walking along the Garonne River or the Canal du Midi, or having brunch in one of the parks in the city centre, the city provides students with loads of different activities to partake in.

At night discover the city’s numerous international bars, restaurants serving regional cuisine, and nightclubs that go until 7am in the morning.

Enjoy the city’s live music scene with a show at Le Bikini or party on the Le Cri de la Mouette – a canal boat docked in the heart of Toulouse that is converted into a concert hall and disco.

Whenever you want to escape the buzz of the city, Toulouse is also in close proximity to the Pyrenees (one hour away), the Mediterranean Sea (one and a half hours), and the Atlantic Ocean (two and a half hours).

This great location means that you’ll only be an hour or so away from hiking or skiing in the mountains, or swimming and surfing at the beaches.

Cost of living in Toulouse

Toulouse’s variety of attractions becomes even more attractive to students considering the city’s affordability. 

Food costs

Toulouse offers a wide range of budget-friendly restaurants that are perfect for students on a budget. Students can enjoy a complete meal (starter, main and dessert) for only €3.25 at CROUS Restaurants, also called “Restaurant Universitaire” or RU. 

Affordable public transportation

Not only is public transportation in Toulouse very efficient, it's also relatively cheap. If you’re under 26 years old, you can have an unlimited annual access to bus, tramway, and metro for €100. Students between ages 26 and 35 also receive discounted prices - €9.8 for 10 tickets.

For those who prefer to get around on two wheels, Vélô Toulouse’s yearly €25 subscription fee help students move around the city cheaply and efficiently. 

University options in Toulouse

With three universities ranked in the 2020 QS World University Rankings, Toulouse can hold its own as a top higher education destination.

With roots as far back as the 13th century, the University of Toulouse (Université de Toulouse) system is among the oldest in the world and is currently made up of several independent institutions.

The leading universities in Toulouse

Université Toulouse 1 Capitole (UT1) is renowned for its long-established academic excellence particularly in the field of research. It specialises in Law, Economics and Management and is the only university in the University of Toulouse system that still occupies the university’s historical location in the town centre.

Université Toulouse - Jean Jaurès (UT2J) is a cross-disciplinary university with a long-established history of providing high calibre education to students. It specialises in Arts, Literature, Humanities and Languages.

Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier (UT3), also known as Paul Sabatier University, focuses on Science, Technologies and Health. Its motto "Science in the heart" demonstrates how science-oriented the university is. Its Earth and Marine Science program is ranked in the top 200 in the world.

Frequently asked questions about student housing in Toulouse

How do I apply for a student residence in Toulouse?

After comparing the student housing we list based on budget and other preferences such as location, property type, and even cancellation policies, go to the property page, choose your preferred room type and click ‘Enquire’ or ‘Book Now’. 

You’ll then be asked to leave your contact details. After you’ve done this, one of our booking consultants will contact you and take you through the next steps.

Can I live in a private room or will I have to share?

We offer three different types of rooms in Toulouse. In some you share facilities with other students, but you can also book a fully self-contained property.

In a Shared Room you’ll share a bedroom with at least one roommate. Other living spaces will also be shared with other tenants from other rooms.

In a Private Room you won’t have to share your bedroom with anyone else, as you’ll get a private bedroom. In some properties you’ll get your own bathroom as well. However, other living facilities will be shared with inhabitants of other rooms. 

If you book the Entire Place you won’t have to share anything with anyone. You’ll get your own bedroom, bathroom, and cooking facilities in a fully self-contained studio apartment. Perfect if you love peace and quiet and don’t enjoy sharing a living space with others.

Can you arrange a viewing for me?

Sure. Contact us and one of our booking consultants will gladly arrange a viewing for you. 

What bills are included in the rent?

In many cases you won’t have to pay anything extra for heating or wifi as these are often included in the rent. Make sure to check if this is the case with the property you are interested in however, as this may change from property to property.