First you choose what course you want to study, then you choose your university – now it’s time to decide where you want to live!
Choosing your university accommodation is one of the most exciting parts of the experience, but it can seem pretty daunting. The big ‘student halls or student house?’ question stresses students out every year.
To make things easier, we’ll take you through all the different options.
Private rented houses and rooms
These are the most common and popular choices among students. they are usually managed by landlords as properties in the private rented sector. Students usually share houses with a number of housemates (or flatmates), depending on the size of the building. They are usually located in neighbourhoods with a high concentration of students but can also be part of more diverse areas. The quality can differ vastly and we recommend to rent from landlords accredited by your institution. You should also consider key things to watch out for when viewing or considering a property to rent in private landlord houses.
University managed houses and rooms
The are properties held by universities and colleges that can look similar to regular houses/flat but usually have a standardised look and facilities. Students often apply via their institutions’ accommodation offices via waiting list. Universities may offer rooms in houses for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
University Hall of Residence
Another popular choice are rooms in student halls. There are usually located on-campus and may even include meals in in-house canteens. The primary group of students living in hall rooms are students in their first and second year.
Private Halls
These are purpose built student living accommodation, similar to university halls of residence, but owned by private companies who run and manage them. They are often in a central location and have all the modern amenities required in student living, however they are often the most expensive option. It is important to find out what is included in your rent.
Family stays
Another less common option are family stays, especially for visiting students from abroad at smaller institutions. They live in vacant rooms offered by local families for short terms that usually do not exceed a year.
If you’re going to university and looking for student accommodation, then read our handy guide for your next accommodation move to learn student rentals process and consider things before you rent a property.