What you need to know about student accommodation

What are the different types of student accommodation?

In general, there are four main options. You can live:

• in university-managed accommodation (typically halls of residence)
• in privately owned halls of residence
• with other students in a privately rented house or flat
• at home.

University-managed and private halls of residence

To clarify, halls of residence are large blocks of flats housing hundreds of students. They have individually furnished bedrooms organised around corridors or apartments with a shared kitchen. In some cases, bathrooms are also shared, although en-suite rooms are increasingly commonplace.

They are usually managed by the university or in partnership with a private company, and the quality is generally good, as they have to comply with national codes.

'Living in halls of residence at university allows you to become fully immersed in the student community from day one,' explains Rebecca O'Hare, assistant director of residence life and accommodation office, at the University of Leeds.

'Moving away from home is a huge transition, but it's important to remember that most of your fellow students will be in a similar position and living in university accommodation grants you easier access to support from campus and residence teams.'

Privately owned halls of residence offer all the benefits of halls but are not linked to the university.

Heidi Cooper-Hind, director of student experience and employability at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), explains how university halls are especially popular among new students who are living away from home for the first time. 'Living in halls puts you at the centre of student life,' says Heidi. 'It's a great way to make friends and to get involved in social activities.'

'It's really important for students to consider location when choosing where to live, says Ian Jones, deputy director of accommodation and commercial services at the University of Sheffield. 'University accommodation is usually located close to campus and key transport links.'

Read more about the key things to consider when comparing UK universities.

While your bedroom may be small, all the facilities you need (such as a laundrette) are usually on-site, and the university accommodation team is on hand for maintenance.

A number of universities may also provide catered accommodation. This is worth considering if you don't feel ready or able to cook for yourself, though it will increase the cost of your rent.

Despite the convenience of halls, you may find yourself paying more than you would in a private house or flat. You don't get to choose who you live with - which can make things tricky if you don't get on with others in your flat - and with so much going on, halls aren't the place to be if you value peace and quiet.

Private rented housing

Alternatively, you may prefer to live in a privately rented house, which usually accommodates four or five people. This is the path followed by most students from the second year onwards, but also by some first years.

One advantage is getting to choose who you live with. For second-year students, this usually means moving in with friends, which can make for a better experience.

Another benefit is that you'll have more choice over where to live. You'll be further from campus, but good transport links, as well as lots of shops, bars and food outlets, serve the popular student areas of most university cities.

Living at home

For many people, leaving home - and the feeling of freedom that brings - is one of the key attractions of going to university.

But if you've decided to study locally, staying at home can be a great choice. It saves money on rent and bills, is convenient, and you'll avoid the stress of moving out to live with new people.

However, you'll be further removed from student life, and it may be more difficult to make friends away from the social hub of halls or a student house.

To make it work, participate in extra-curricular activities by joining sports clubs and societies.

How do I decide where to live?

As Heidi says, 'Choosing where you are going to live is one of the most exciting and important decisions you'll make at university.'

However, to make the right choice, get advice from as many sources as possible. Family and friends who've been to university before are good starting points.

'Many universities, including AUB, invite you to attend applicant days ahead of the start of term, where you can meet other students and take a look at some of the local rental properties available,' adds Heidi.

University accommodation open days also provide an opportunity to speak to staff and discover what's on offer.

Evelyne Mulinge, residential services manager at the University of Northampton, suggests that even if you can't make it in person, you should always check out the university's website. It will likely have photos, descriptions, floor layouts, and even interactive tour videos.

Don't be afraid to contact university staff if you have any questions about choosing between halls or private accommodation.

When should I start the application process?

If you decide to make use of your university's accommodation options, you'll find that you can usually start your application once you've accepted an offer on a course.

'It's always wise to do a little research,' advises Evelyne. 'You should start this as early as possible to give yourself the best chance of getting your choice of accommodation, as popular room types can go quickly.'

Evelyne adds, 'We advertise the dates that applications open and offer 'how-to' guides as well.'

Be sure to get in touch with your university's accommodation office for exact details on when you can begin your accommodation application.

How do I apply for student accommodation?

Heidi explains, 'It's easy to arrange your accommodation by applying directly to the university - normally online.'

It's similar to securing a place in privately owned halls of residence. You book a room directly with the specific halls you're interested in - most have easy online booking systems.

When it comes to privately rented housing, your university accommodation office can help you find available properties. 'It's a good idea to view the properties you are considering before signing up,' cautions Heidi, to ensure everything's in order.

The accommodation team will likely have lots of useful advice on what to look for and what questions to ask during viewings, for example.

Once you've secured your accommodation, consider the 10 things to do before starting university.

Is student accommodation guaranteed for first-year students?

Not always, as some universities fill their halls on a first-come-first served basis. You may also be ineligible if you live too close to the university, but this varies between institutions.

Many institutions, including the University of Liverpool, do guarantee a place in halls for full-time first-year undergraduate and foundation year students, as long as you meet their application deadlines. Places in halls are also often reserved for international postgraduates.

At Sheffield, you'll be offered accommodation if you've come through the Clearing process.

Ian says, 'Going through Clearing can sometimes feel quite daunting, but some universities, like Sheffield, offer guaranteed accommodation to Clearing students.

'It's worth checking what support is available to make the process of going to university as smooth as possible.'

Read more about getting into university.

How much does student accommodation cost?

This will vary according to the university, its location and the facilities available, so visit your university's website to discover exactly how much rent you'll pay.

To give you an idea of how much universities charge, The University of Manchester expects first-year undergraduate students in self-catered accommodation to pay £4,853 to £12,096 a year (covering 41 weeks) in 2025/26. This works out at about £787.50 per month. Alternatively, catered accommodation costs around £7,985 per year (£798.50 per month).

A room in a shared private property typically costs £600 to £1,200 per month, but in large cities such as London, this can increase to £1,000 to £2,400 per month.

Will I need to pay a deposit for student accommodation?

Yes, most universities require an upfront rent payment or deposit when you apply for accommodation. However, there has been a shift in recent years to remove the request to pay a deposit with some universities and private halls. It is worth checking locally just to be sure.

If you're looking to rent a private property, the deposit will usually include a:

• holding fee - up to a week's rent to reserve the place for 14 days.
• security/tenancy deposit - up to five weeks' rent can be held for any damages or rent arrears.

How is student accommodation paid for?

Students typically fund their living costs, including their accommodation, through a variety of sources, including:

• maintenance loans
• personal savings
• student jobs or side hustles.

This means that whether you intend to live in halls or in private accommodation while studying, you'll likely need to save up at least some money of your own.

Saving now in preparation for university is a great way to ensure you're covered during the first few months, especially if you're relocating.

Get some more tips on saving money as a student.

Will my student loan cover these accommodation costs?

It can do, as for 2025/26, you can receive up to £10,544 - if you're living away from home, outside of London.

However, even the maximum maintenance loan amount (of £13,762 for students living away from home in London) may not be enough to cover all your accommodation and living costs.

This means you may need to consider some of the other funding options above.

If you're struggling to raise money for your accommodation, some universities may offer hardship funds or bursaries.

Read more about university scholarships and bursaries.

Are bills included with student accommodation?

'When living in university halls, bills are usually included, so you know exactly what you are budgeting for,' says Heidi. However, you may still need to sort out your own TV licence.

She explains that this isn't the case with privately rented accommodation. 'Usually, the rent is cheaper than halls, but you'll pay bills on top.'

It will therefore be up to you to sort your payments for things like:

• broadband/Wi-Fi access
• contents insurance
• utilities (gas, electricity, water).

But remember, as long as everyone in your house is a full-time student, you don't have to pay council tax.

What about any damages or repairs to the property?

In addition to managing your budget carefully, you'll need to be comfortable contacting your landlord or letting agent to resolve any issues or arrange repairs. Be sure to read and understand your contract and be aware of your rights as a tenant.

For instance, Heidi explains that landlords must use a tenancy deposit protection scheme, and the local council can insist on repairs if your landlord doesn't maintain reasonable standards.

If you're living in halls, Heidi warns that you'll be responsible for any damage, which means you may have to contribute to repairs.

How many weeks do you pay for student accommodation?

The contract for your student accommodation will usually tie you in for 40 to 52 weeks.

For university-owned halls, this is likely to be towards the lower end of the scale at around 41 weeks.

Private accommodation terms may last for 51 or 52 weeks, meaning you'll pay for the entire year, including the holidays.

How do I make friends with other students?

To make the most of your time in student accommodation, Rebecca advises you to:

• get to know your flatmates through the residence social media pages before welcome week
• read all the pre-arrival information from your halls and the students' union
• attend events both on campus and in halls
• engage with residence life programmes at your university
• volunteer to be part of your hall's social committee and get to know your student leaders.

In addition, Ian reveals that hundreds of free events are on offer within university accommodation. 'These range from dance lessons and cultural celebrations to fitness classes and film marathons, which can really help bring people together.'

What support services are available to students in halls?

Your university's accommodation team will be available during work hours to answer any questions you may have. There will also typically be staff on site to assist with any urgent issues.

For instance, Ian explains, 'At Sheffield we have mentors pay regular visits to the university accommodation to check that everyone's okay and to help with any questions, as well as dedicated on-site teams on hand to help 24/7.'

How do I arrange accommodation as a second-year student?

Before your first year of university is over, it's advisable to explore independent accommodation in preparation for the start of your second year. This is because the closer to the start of the term, the more pressure you'll be under to find something suitable.

Many students choose to start house-hunting as early as late September or October, even though they are just a few weeks into their course.

You should certainly have your accommodation plans for your second year in place before the start of January, as the best accommodation options may have gone by this point.

While this sounds early, once you've started to make friends on your course and in halls, conversations naturally turn to who you'll be living with in your second year. This is the ideal time to view possible houses.

Try and focus your discussions around the following factors:

• Where are you going to live? - Consider how close the place is to campus and what the transport links are like. Is it close enough to cycle to the campus?
• How big is the property you're looking for? - Will you choose a large house with multiple bedrooms and share the cost of rent, or should you consider individual flats instead?
• What is everyone's budget? It can be more costly to choose somewhere with more facilities, such as washing machines and dryers, as well as mod-cons like high-speed broadband and security cameras. Make sure your friends are all in agreement on this.

If you have any questions, it's important to speak with your university's accommodation team as they'll have helped many other students in a similar position.

Can I stay in student accommodation if I'm not a student?

No, in most cases, you can't stay in student accommodation during term time if you're not a student. That's because student halls are primarily reserved for those enrolled at university.

While some housing providers may allow non-students to live with their student roommates or in mixed households, this isn't the norm. However, temporary or short-term living arrangements during the summer holidays may be possible.

Find out more

• Search for your perfect student home with University Living.
• Read more about what to take to university.
• Discover what to do when you feel homesick.