Accommodation at college and university

Choosing to stay at home or move out to attend college or university can be a big consideration for students. Remember, whatever you decide you can still have a fulfilling college and university experience. If you are thinking of moving out, we hope the information below is useful for you.

Take your time to consider all accommodation options, to make the choice which is best for you.

What types of accommodation are there?

1. College/university student accommodation.

These might be known as ‘student halls’ or ‘halls of residence’. These are owned and run by the universities themselves, and are usually in close proximity to the campus. Colleges and universities may offer catered accommodation (where all your meals are provided) or non-catered accommodation. Non-catered accommodation options are usually flats with 4-8 individual bedrooms, private or shared bathrooms, and a shared living room and kitchen. It is common for students to leave university accommodation during the long summer break (although year-round accommodation is often available for care experienced students, and possibly for estranged students too). 

2. Private student accommodation.

These are like college/university run student accommodation, but students from any institution can apply to live in these flats. The accommodation is run by private organisations rather than colleges or universities.

3. Renting a room or property, through an agency or private landlord.

You can also rent a room or property through a rental agency or private landlord. Bills may be included, or you may need to arrange for these to be setup and paid yourself. Sometimes private accommodation can be cheaper overall than the cost of student accommodation.

Some students prefer to start in student accommodation then in later years of study choose to move into private accommodation, once they’ve found friends they would like to live with.

If you are comparing these options and deciding which is best for you this article from The Uni Guide clearly outlines some of the pros and cons of each. This UCAS blog also has helpful advice for making your decision.

How do I find accommodation?

Colleges and universities will have their accommodation options on their website, and you can often arrange a tour at open days.

For private student accommodation, trying googling ‘student accommodation’ and your location.

Rentals (either through an agency or private landlord) can be found on websites like Spareroom, ESPC, Rightmove, Zoopla or Gumtree. Bring a person you trust along with you to viewings, to ensure your safety and to get a helpful second opinion. It’s also important that your landlord is registered and is following rental regulations - this blog post from the University of Edinburgh Student Association can help you to understand your rights when renting. Your college or university will likely offer their own support too – ask your student support or student union for advice!

What to consider, when looking at accommodation?

• What is the cost of rent?
• How many people will you be sharing with?
• Are bills (like electricity and gas, or internet) included, or paid separately?
• What furnishings and facilities (shared and private) are available to you? For instance bedroom furniture, bathrooms, parking?
• For student accommodation, do you need to vacate during the summer break? (Year-round accommodation is often available for care experienced students, and possibly for estranged students too)
• What is the location like? Is it close to the university? Does the area have amenities like shops and public transport nearby?

What financial support is available?

The cost of each accommodation option varies, and you'll likely be considering your budget in your decision making.

Students might choose to use their SAAS student bursary or loan, and/or a part-time job to help pay accommodation costs. It is always worth finding out if there are accommodation bursaries or scholarships available to you!

And if during your studies you find you are suddenly unable to pay your rent, or are facing financial stress, there are support services at college or universities and discretionary funds which might be available to help you. It is always worth sharing your concerns with student services.

Take a look at our Student Finance blog for more information about funding available to you.

When to apply for accommodation?

When to apply for accommodation depends upon which type of accommodation you have chosen.

If you have chosen college/university student accommodation, usually you can apply once you’ve accepted an offer. Some universities will allow you to apply for accommodation if they are your insurance choice, while many will only open applications to you if they are your firm choice. Find out more about firm and insurance choices on our blog post.

For private student accommodation, we recommend beginning your search early in the year your studies will begin. Some organisations open for applications as early as November for the following year. Applying early will ensure you find the best accommodation for you at the best price.

If you are looking at renting a room or property through an agency or private landlord, again we recommend starting your search early, perhaps in the spring of the year you start your studies.

Accommodation support for care experienced and estranged students

If you are a care experienced student or a student estranged from your family, you may be looking for year-round accommodation (including the summer months). Many colleges, universities and private student accommodation providers offer year-round accommodation. Have a look on their websites and be sure to ask if you are unsure!

For example, the Unite Foundation offer comprehensive accommodation scholarships to care experienced and estranged students. Find out more here.

You can also find out more about support for care experienced students and estranged students on our blog posts.