You are trying to decide where you will live at university. We will walk you through each option, including student housing and uni halls.
It’s now time to make a decision about where you want to live after finding the perfect university and degree.
The most exciting part of university life is choosing your accommodation. However, it can also be quite daunting. Is it the big question, “Student halls or Student House?” Students are stressed out each year by this question.
This article will help you to find the best uni accommodation. Don’t worry, there is no right or wrong answer!
Renting is expensive for students, with an average cost of £148 per week. Take your time to find the perfect place. Do not feel pressured to move somewhere you don’t enjoy.
There are many options for Leicester uni accommodation:
Student halls
Student house
Living at Home
Private halls
You should remember that no matter where you live, you may have to pay an initial deposit. Here are some ways to get your deposit returned at the end.
There are many options for accommodation at universities
You can choose where to live at university. According to the latest Student Accommodation Survey, 40% of students prefer student houses over other forms of accommodation.
27% live in university-owned residence halls, 13% live in private residence halls, and 13% stay at home with their parents. Below is a brief summary of the pros and con’s of each.
University halls
Ideal for a ‘freshers’ experience
University halls provide accommodation that is provided by the university. You can find them in many sizes and shapes, but you will usually live in a flat with your private bedroom and a shared kitchen/living area. There are many factors that can affect how many people share your flat. As a guideline, we would say between 4 and 10 people.
There are many factors that influence the price of university halls.
No matter if you prefer an en suite or shared bathroom,
No matter if you are looking for halls nearby or further away from campus, there are plenty of options.
It doesn’t matter if you choose self-catered or catered accommodation.
This makes it difficult to determine how much university halls are worth, although the National Student Accommodation Survey shows that they cost on average PS147 per week. You will be spending a lot more if your choice is an en suite in self-catered campus halls.
Many universities guarantee university halls for first-year students as long as they receive your applications by the deadlines. But this is not the case everywhere.
A place in halls may not be guaranteed to you if your home is located within a certain distance of the uni or if you clear clearing. For more information, please contact your university.
While you may be allowed to pick your preferred residence hall, it is possible that your first choice will not be made. This can be especially true if the building is popular.
Remember that you’ll get assigned a random room and will not find out who you are living with until the first day. It’s exciting, but also scary.
If you’re looking to feel more at home, most universities will offer you the option of single-sex or mixed-sex flats.
Transfer options are available for most unis. You can switch flats if it’s not right for you or your partner. But this is often not the case.
In short, students tend to choose to live in halls their first year of university before they find friends who will allow them to move into private homes.
However, most unis will let you stay in halls for the entire duration of your degree. Some might even offer rent reductions.
Student house
Best for: Independent living on a budget
Living in a student home is probably the most affordable option for you if your goal is to go to university. There are many student letting agents that provide housing for students.
You have three main options if you are looking for a student home:
A group of friends can rent a house together by gathering (e.g. You and your three friends can find a 4-bed house.
Find a spare bedroom in your house
A studio or one-bed apartment is a better option.
You can also go with the second option and search for a room in an occupied house on Spareroom. This gives you the chance to meet your new flatmates and see if they are compatible.
Or, you can choose to live in your own room from a landlord or letting agent. This option is not recommended as you won’t know who your roommates are until you move into the house.
Many landlords will offer rent with your bills included. This allows you to not have to manage and split your monthly bills. But, this can be costly and more time-consuming than organizing your bills. For more information, see our comprehensive guide to student bill organization.
There are two main issues with student housing: landlords may be unreliable and difficult, and the accommodation can not be a good value. You should research the top problems in student housing and ensure you don’t end-up in a house that is as terrible as this.
A student house is a great option if you can afford it. This will help you get ready for graduate life.
A house is usually quieter than a hall, because you will be living with a small group of students and not 50+, making it easier to study at home.
Living at Home
The best for: Home comforts, saving money
You will have to decide if living at home for university is the right choice for you. But it is worth considering that you could save some money by not paying too much rent.
Many students don’t feel able to move out because it is too costly or they have family responsibilities that they can’t let go. If this is the case, there are still plenty of opportunities for you to have the best university experience possible!
Joining lots of societies and clubs, speaking to people on the course, and getting as involved as possible will make you lots of friends.
It will help you save a lot of money by not paying rent. Your parents may request monthly contributions, but you will still receive a smaller Maintenance Loan through Student Finance if your home is your main residence.
Private halls
Best for: Tailor made student living
Cost: PSPS-PSPSPS.
Private halls work in the same manner as uni halls except that they are offered by an independent company and not your university.
These student living communities are tailor-made and becoming more and more popular. Private halls can often include onsite gyms, flat screen TVs in bedrooms, and other amazing features. Be aware that the more luxurious a flat offers, the more it is likely to cost.
These are usually found in cities that have several universities. The layout of flats is similar to uni halls. They have private rooms as well as communal kitchens and living spaces.
Private halls may be an excellent option for some. Private halls are a great way to save money. However, some can have very high rent prices.
