UK Student Accomodation options

In the UK, students have several accommodation options, including university-owned halls of residence, private halls, shared houses, and private rentals.University halls offer a convenient and social experience, while private halls and rentals provide more flexibility and sometimes better facilities.

University Halls of Residence (On-Campus)

University Halls of residence tend to be the most convenient option for students as they tend to be on campus and moderately priced. They are among the most coveted student housing options due to their price and proximity to universities.

However, they aren’t as widely available in the UK. University-provided housing or on-campus housing typically offers en-suite and non-en-suite options with shared kitchens or even studios for students. It is common to see shared rooms where students get to share the bedroom with roommates, with beds typically consisting of bunk beds.

Pros: Convenient location, social opportunities, potential for lower costs, includes Wifi and insurance.
Cons: Limited availability, may be less private.
Types: Single rooms with shared kitchens, self-contained studios, catered and self-catered options.

You can check University websites for On campus accoodation.

Private Halls of Residence (Purpose-Built Student Accommodation – PBSA)

PBSAs are highly desirable for students as they are purposely built to cater to student needs and often come with all bills included so that you don’t have to worry about any extra charges during your stay. PBSAs also try to include facilities like study areas, lounges, gyms, and laundry facilities, among others, for your convenience.

PBSAs also offer various options; these are often student flat shares, which include private rooms in a student flat share arrangement, where students can share some facilities, as well as studios and entire flats, which are the most private options and more self-contained.

Pros: Modern facilities, social amenities, often closer to the city center, more privacy
Cons: Can be more expensive than university halls.
Types:  Ensuites, suite apartments, studio flats.

Many universities have their own websites or portals where they list approved PBSA providers

Some of the websites you can check out are:

Shared Houses/Student Flats (Private Rentals)

Student flat shares consist of either sharing a flat with your friends, meaning that you and a group of friends rent out an entire flat, or renting a private room in a shared flat, depending on the listing offered. Some of the facilities shared in a shared flat include the kitchen, living area, and other facilities that can include a laundry facility.

Pros: More privacy and freedom, potentially more affordable, flexibility to choose roommates.
Cons: Requires more work to find and manage accommodation.

Private Rentals (Apartments/Studios):

Private studios for students and private apartments offer more or less the same facilities; however, they differ in layout, with studios being more compact and having an open-plan layout.

Pros: More independence and choice of location.
Cons: Can be expensive, requires more responsibility for managing the property.

Homestays

Homestays consist of having a private room in a shared flat; however, you’ll be staying with a host family in exchange for a fee. Staying with a host family helps International students, in particular, get acquainted with the local way of life, which includes customs and traditions, local foods, and daily interactions with locals, which can also be beneficial in providing tips.

In most cases, staying with a host family also includes having meals provided as well as access to laundry facilities.

Pros: Cultural immersion, can be a good option for those who prefer a home-like environment, often includes meals.
Cons: Less freedom and privacy than other options.

Some of the websites you can check out are:

Student Housing Costs

Accommodation option	Average Cost
University Halls of Residence	Avg. £6000 per academic year (40 weeks) or £6600 (44 weeks)
PBSA/ Residence Halls	Avg. £535 per month
Private Accommodation: One Bedroom	Avg. £713 to £1,193 per month
Shared Accommodation	Avg. £450 to £737 per month (depending on region)
Homestays	Average £600 to £800 per month

Note: that prices in major cities lean towards the higher end of the provided averages; for instance, if you’re looking for student accommodation in London, you’ll be paying on average £1,465 to £2,098 per month for a one-bedroom apartment as an average rent in London.If you have decided to live in the UK and study at some of its most famous universities, such as University College London, the University of London, and more, we provide various options near these universities.

Many UK universities offer B&B stays during vacation periods, ideal for tourists, conference attendees, or short-term visitors. These accommodations often provide a unique experience within historic college settings.

Payment Systems

Typically in the UK, rent is calculated every week, as is the tenancy length, to calculate the rent as well as to plan your stay.Regarding payments, in the UK, to qualify to pay in instalments, you generally will have to have a UK-based guarantor who is a legal resident of the UK, has a stable fixed income, and is above the age of 18.

Depending on the building’s policy, you will have a set number of installments to pay, and the policy regarding UK guarantors might differ. In most cases, not having a UK-based guarantor will require you to pay the total amount upfront. There are, however, various services that qualify to act as guarantors for a small fee.

Catering

In the USA, students will have access to kitchen facilities, despite UK student accommodation options having larger and better-equipped kitchens generally. Various UK student housing buildings have restaurants and cafeterias.

Note that prices in major cities lean towards the higher end of the provided averages; for instance, if you’re looking for student accommodation in London, you’ll be paying on average £1,465 to £2,098 per month for a one-bedroom apartment as an average rent in London.If you have decided to live in the UK and study at some of its most famous universities, such as University College London, the University of London, and more, we provide various options near these universities.

Tips for Booking University B&B Accommodation

Availability: Most university B&Bs are available during university vacation periods, such as summer and Christmas breaks.

Booking: It’s advisable to book well in advance, especially for popular universities or during peak tourist seasons.

Facilities: Check if breakfast is included in the rate and inquire about additional amenities like Wi-Fi, parking, and access to university facilities.

Policies: Review cancellation policies and any restrictions, such as age limits or minimum stay requirements.