Clubs and societies | Finding University Accommodation | Higher Education Glossary | Extra Advice on Starting University

Finding University Accommodation

If you've moved to a different part of the country to study, one essential thing you must arrange is your accommodation. Your living arrangements can be an important factor in your success as a student. When you live in comfortable accommodation that meets your needs, you are better able to study and relax properly and can make the most of your time at university. Usually, when you are going to university for the first time, you will be given a lot of help with arranging accommodation.

It will be easier if you take the initiative and arrange accommodation in advance. You have three possible choices:

apply for a place in university accommodation
arrange private accommodation
book temporary accommodation

Bear in mind that there are shortages of some types of accommodation in some areas, particularly London and other urban areas, so do not leave things to the last minute. As soon as you have accepted a place on a course, you should start to sort out your accommodation through your university's accommodation office (or 'student housing' office). Make sure you complete any accommodation forms and return before the deadlines date. At the very least, make sure you have temporary accommodation arranged before you leave, so you have somewhere to stay when you arrive.

University Accommodation
Universities and many higher education colleges own and run accommodation for their students. There are several types:

halls of residence - large buildings housing lots of students
houses for small groups of students
flats for married students or students with families

Halls of residence are the most widely available type of accommodation and most people in their first year will want to live in university-owned halls or self-catering flats. Some halls are single sex and others are mixed. Universities and colleges usually only have a limited number of houses and flats, and so specific groups will have priority.

What you get:

A study bedroom (which in some cases you have to share with another student).
Bed, bed linen, storage space, a desk, a lamp, a chair and some shelves for books.
May also include a shower and a telephone - but in most halls these are located outside your room and you share them with other students.
Some provide meals (usually breakfast and dinner), but most accommodation is now run on a self-catering basis.

Typical cost: About £50 to £120 per week

Advantages:
The advantages of this type of accommodation are numerous, especially when you are in your first year.

You are living with hundreds of other students, many of them also in their first year, so this a great opportunity to get to know others from a wide variety of subject backgrounds.
You are normally close to your study facilities (including the library).
It will give you plenty of time to get to know the local area and find your way around.
It is the easiest form of accommodation to arrange in advance.

Disadvantages:

You will probably have to pay your fees in advance.
You may have to move out of the accommodation during the vacations.
You may be committed to paying rent for the whole academic year, even if you want to move out before that point.
You may not get on with everybody - you can't choose who you live with!

Private accommodation
Private accommodation may be owned and run by organisations (such as charities) by companies or individuals (known as landlords). There are several types available:

flats and houses
lodgings
bedsits
student hostels
youth hostels

Private accommodation is sometimes slightly harder to arrange, but your university should be able to help you. They may have lists of the rental accommodation available in the area. and they might even be able to make the arrangements for you.

Private accommodation varies widely in size and quality, so always arrange to view the accommodation in person before you decide whether or not to take it and commit to a depost etc.

Flats and houses

Living in a house for your first year is generally something to investigate only after attempts to find a place in halls or flats have been unsuccessful. It may not be possible to find a place in halls if, for example, you have got your place at university through the clearing system, as most places will already have been taken by those with definite offers.

Flats and houses are a popular option for groups of two or more students who are willing to share costs. Normally most students will rent at the start of their second year.

What you get:

A self-contained, furnished or unfurnished flat or house.
Usually with a living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom(s), and sometimes a dining room.
Various sizes: from one and two bedroom flats up to four or five bedroom houses.
A legal agreement (known as a 'tenancy agreement') has to be signed with the landlord, plus you may have to pay an initial deposit as security to cover any damages.
Lots of bills - electricity, water, gas, telephone and TV licence to name a few.
Food and drink costs - some students in this type of arrangement will share costs while others prefer to do it on an individual basis.
You will have to do your own cleaning and provide your own bed-linen and towels.

Typical cost: This varies depending on the size and location

Advantages:
There are distinct advantages to this type of accommodation over the university owned flats and halls.

You have a great deal more freedom in what you can do allowing you to feel more independent.
Splitting food costs and bills can sometimes be even cheaper than other types of accommodation.

Disadvantages:

It can be hard to find a suitable flat or house near university.
You may have to travel further to university every day.
You have to be more responsible for clearing up and cleaning.
Pick who you live with carefully - disagreements can lead to the arrangement becoming uncomfortable for others.
If you fall behind with the rent others may be liable to make up the difference.

Lodgings
Living in lodgings means that you rent a room in someone's house. The home could belong to anyone: a single person or a married couple; young people or older people; or a family with children.

What you get:

A room to yourself.
Normally a shared bathroom (unless you're very lucky).
Meals provided or access to a kitchen to prepare your own.

Typical cost: About £40 to £100 per week, depending on the location and the arrangement.

Advantages:

Lodgings can be a comfortable arrangement.
If you get on well with the household you can build strong relationships.
It can be a source of social contact separate from your friends at university.

Disadvantages:

You will need to adapt your lifestyle to the customs and routines of the household.
You may have to comply with more rules which may restrict your independence.
The standard of accommodation may vary considerably.

Bedsits
This type of accommodation combines the ideas of a bedroom and a living room. Some large houses consist entirely of bedsits, which are rented out to couples of individuals. Other bedsits are located in someone's home.

What you get:

A single room containing living, sleeping and sometimes cooking simple facilities (a small refrigerator, an electric kettle, and a microwave oven and/or a hob).
A signed tenancy agreement with the landlord.
Shared bills or a separate electricity and/or gas meter for your room.
Shared bathroom and telephone in most cases.
Provide your own bed-linen and towels.
Do your own laundry and cleaning.

Typical cost: About £40 to £120 per week, depending on the location and arrangement.

Advatanges:

More independence in this type of accommodation than in lodgings.

Disadvantages:

Some students find bedsits lonely as you have less contact with other people.

In any case, most students apply for all these types of accommodation well in advance before each term starts in order to be allocated what they want. If you don't get your first choice of place to live don't worry; they're all equally good in one way or another.

Student hostels
Hostels tend to be run by charitable organisations.

What you get:

Generally rooms for single students are provided, however some can accommodate married couples.
Many offer meals or provide cooking facilities so you can prepare your own food.

Typical cost: About £40 to £50 per week.

Advantages:

Staying in a hostel allows you to get familiar with an area and decide if you would like to look for other accommodation.

Disadvantages:

Furnishings and facilities may be of a lower standard than in some other types of accommodation.

Youth hostels
Youth hostels are used mainly by tourists on a tight budget but are also suitable for students looking for temporary accommodation.

What you get:

Fairly basic accommodation.
You may have to share a room with one or more people.
A shared bathroom should be expected.
Some hostels provide meals while others offer simple cooking facilities.

Typical cost: About £10 to £25 per night

Advantages:

A useful source of inexpensive short-term temporary accommodation.

Disadvantages:

You will have less privacy than in other types of accommodation.
There will be little or no quiet space for studying or revising.
Many hostels are closed during the day: you have to leave by a certain time in the morning, and you cannot get back in until late afternoon or early evening.

In any case, you are able to apply for any of these types of accommodation well before you start each term. Don't worry if you don't get your first choice of place to live; they're all equally good in one way or another.

Further information
If you have problems with accommodation, contact the accommodation office or students' union at your university. If you need specialist or legal help contact your local housing aid centre, who will be able to tell you about your rights as a tenant and the rights of your landlord.

Back to your First Week at University

©GRB 2012
DASHBOARDLogin