How to find accommodation for students in the UK

Student Guide

The UK is a well-reputed country for providing excellent quality education for international students from around the world. Some of the top-ranked universities in the world university rankings are located in the UK making it a popular choice for students. Finding a good course, university and lastly, accommodation is a must for every student planning to study in the UK.

With almost half a million students coming to the UK each year the need for finding accommodation for students in the UK is increasing day by day. Finding accommodation for international students in the UK wanting to study there can be a great concern. Being one of the most popular places to study the UK luckily has great accommodation facilities for students. Whether your choice is university-offered accommodation or private ones you will find suitable accommodation suited for international students.

What is accommodation for students in the UK?

When you study in the UK you need to make sure that you have a place to live. Students usually choose places close to their institute so that they have no problem attending their classes on time. Accommodation is mainly the dormitory or flat that a student chooses. The place that an international student chooses to live in is called accommodation.

Finding accommodation is very important when visiting the UK. It is highly preferred that a student already books their accommodation before arriving in the UK. You will be asked about accommodation when you attend the CAS interview. If you are unable to give a valid answer you can even fail the interview. Therefore, after choosing the university and course the student must look for accommodation as well.

What kind of accommodation are available in the UK?

If you look for accommodation in the UK you will mainly have two choices to choose from which are:

  • University Dormitory (Student Halls)
  • Private Accommodation (Student halls and private flats)

The first one is the University dormitory which basically means the dormitory inside the university campus. A University dormitory is preferred for students who do not have family members or any friends in the UK. Since it is inside the campus it ensures safe and a great study environment for international students. Moreover, you can befriend other students staying in the dormitory with you. This can help you get to know the environment around you and also help with your studies.

The second type of accommodation you can find in the UK is private accommodation or a flat/apartment owned by a person. Students can find cheaper options when they look for private accommodation. Private accommodations are cheaper compared to university dormitories. This type of accommodation is usually for students looking for a private place to live. For example, a student could be living with his/her partner. Such students mainly look for private accommodations.

Finding accommodation for students in the UK

Let us now briefly talk about finding accommodation for students in the UK and how you can find both types of accommodation for you.

Finding University Dormitories (Student Halls)

The university that you apply to usually helps students with finding accommodation for students in the UK. University dormitories or student halls can be booked with the help of the university authority. If you want to book student halls just talk to the university regarding this and they will help you find the right accommodation within the university campus or outside of the campus for you. University dormitories are only for students so you may have to share your room with someone or have a private one depending on your needs. Make sure you can book yours early so that you can find the right accommodation for you.

Finding private accommodation or student halls

Private accommodation can be booked online or with the help of the university as well. A private student hall is a flat or apartment only for students. On the other hand, there are also private flats for students who prefer privacy. A private flat can be both for families and students. There are a number of UK websites available for you to find private accommodation or student halls like SpareRoom, EasyRoommate, and Gumtree. These websites make finding accommodation for students in the UK much easier for you. You can take a look at these websites to find your accommodation or consult with your university regarding this.

Conclusion:

Finding accommodation for students in the UK can be a little difficult especially if you choose to live in the UK and your university is in the UK. If you book your accommodation early you may be able to find the right accommodation in due time. If you are late then you may have to struggle to find one. However, the case can be different depending on where your university is located. For example, finding accommodation is easier in places that are less populated like Coventry, Manchester, or Belfast. We hope we have cleared out your confusion and answered your questions regarding finding accommodation for students in the UK.

FAQs:

 

1. How can I find cheap accommodation for myself?

Answer:  You can look for cheap accommodation online or consult with your university regarding this.

2. What is the best website to find accommodation?

Answer:  You can try any of the websites mentioned here. They all offer various types of accommodation for students at an affordable rate.

3. How can I find accommodation if I want to live with my family?

Answer:  You can find available private accommodations suited for families on the websites. The university also might help students find accommodation if they want to live with their partner or family members.