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Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity, but it comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to finding the perfect place to live. If you're planning to study in the UK and are looking for student accommodation in UK with a picturesque location, reasonable budget, and friendly flatmates, it's crucial to start your search early. However, amidst the hustle and bustle of applying to universities and booking flights, accommodation can often be pushed to the bottom of your priority list.
Don't worry – even if you're looking for housing at the last minute, there are still plenty of options available to you. Whether it's private housing or student halls (on or off-campus), there's something to suit every student's needs. Read on to discover how you can find the ideal home away from home during your studies in UK, with our comprehensive guide to student accommodation in UK
Halls of Residence
The British term for dorms or lodging for students is halls of residence. There are two kinds of halls: those provided by the university and privately owned ones often found off-campus. Typically, they include five to ten rooms on a single level that share a kitchen, living room, or other form of communal space. Most of these rooms either have their own bathroom or share one with the room next door.
Depending on your available budget, you can select from a variety of accommodation kinds, including single, double, and luxury rooms. The benefit of living in residence halls is that you are surrounded by other students, increasing your chances of making new acquaintances.
Another plus is that they are typically on-campus, saving you from daily commutes and using public transportation (particularly if they are university resident halls). It will be possible for you to get up 10 minutes before to the lecture and still arrive on time. If you are applying for masters such as MiM and MBA in UK then off campus housing can be ideal.
You can pick between catered and uncatered residence halls in the UK. You receive breakfast, lunch, and supper in catered halls every day. You can also use the communal kitchen if you become hungry in between meals. The accommodation cost is the same whether it is university-owned or privately owned, although you will probably pay extra if you select the catered option.
Once you have been accepted to study at the university, the majority of the application options for university residential halls are immediately delivered to your email. This implies that since there are a limited number of rooms available, you should apply as soon as possible. In most circumstances, you will have to pay the rent in advance if you are approved. Depending on the accommodations, it might be either six months in advance or the entire school year.
Private Accommodation
Several possibilities are available if you wish to live in a private home. When the academic year and all examinations are over in June, the majority of the residences become accessible. During the summer, most students return to their homes, which causes them to vacate their existing housing. Having friends you want to live with already makes the task a little bit easier because you already know your roommates and can look for a home together. Many other students are seeking both a home and flatmates, so it's OK if you're coming alone and want to live in a house.
SpareRoom is the perfect spot to start your search because it has everything you require. Simply specify what you are looking for, whether it is a home or a flat, a single room, a double room, flatmates, or anything else. I discovered my home and my roommates in this way. If you are applying for an education loan in UK then your accommodation cost would also be included in that.
Gumtree is another website that provides both housing rents and used goods (in case you need some furniture, for instance). No matter where you choose to attend school in the UK, Gumtree is available there. Facebook Marketplace is another choice; it frequently makes contact with the landlord easier and allows you to view their profile. You can check out amber student for that.
Although finding private housing might be challenging, particularly if you're coming from a distance, it's best not to pay anything upfront if you haven't visited the home or seen the landlord in person. Make sure the rental property is legitimate, taking into account its location, size, cost, and other significant factors. Don't forget to pack some items, even if they are only a teddy bear, that will help you feel more at home. You'll start to feel lot more at ease and prepared for all the university chores ahead of you after you move in, settle in, and get to know the folks you share your living space with.
Cost Of Living In Uk
The cost of lodging varies greatly around the UK. There can be a wide variance in lodging prices even within the same city. Naturally, your top aim as an international student is to save as much money as you can. Additionally, as rent will be your largest outlay while studying abroad, locating a cost-effective residence can significantly lessen your financial load.
However, you must first make certain concessions in order to obtain the greatest value on accommodations in the UK. In other words, if you don't want the cost of rent to be really expensive, you must adapt your tastes to your financial situation. You can also follow the same figure for accommodation in Canada for students.
The largest and by far most costly city to live in the UK is London. The cost of lodging is higher in the city centre than in the suburbs, a characteristic of large cities. You shouldn't try to get an apartment in the neighbourhood if your university's campus is close to downtown regions.
For instance, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom flat in London's city center is £1,646. You might be able to locate anything for approximately £1,200. The average rent for an identical flat in the suburbs is £1,185 per month. Finding roommates to share an apartment is a good idea because larger flats cost much more than this.
Best Locations For Accommodation In UK
As you might anticipate, rent in metropolitan regions of the UK is more expensive than in rural ones. However, there are still reasonable choices for international students in urban regions, which may be readily located by doing a little advanced study.
You hardly ever find an inexpensive rental property in downtown neighborhoods. In comparison, the rent for homes and flats in the suburbs is less expensive. They are calmer, safer, and less congested than the city centre, and many students live there, making it a terrific opportunity to interact, except for a few small drawbacks like the distance.
Although you might have to travel each day to get to class, the total cost of your bus fare won't come close to matching the rent you would have to pay if you were living in the city center. Additionally, there are several practical modes of transportation, such as the bicycle.
Furnished Apartments
Naturally, you must try to keep your rental costs as low as possible. To the extent possible, saving money won't require you to forgo your desires for a nice home.
Studying abroad students might consider furnished flats since they may avoid buying furnishings on their own that they will have to resell when they return home.
The good news is that there isn't much of a price difference between furnished and unfurnished flats. Additionally, owners of furnished flats make sure their properties are equipped with everything necessary for them to rank highly among visiting international students. This makes it highly recommended that you always look for furnished flats. You may often ask a landlord or an agent to do it on your behalf.
You might check Gumtree to see if an apartment is furnished if you need to know.
Does My College Provide Me With Any Accommodations?
The number of students traveling overseas to pursue higher education is on the rise right now. The number of resident halls has expanded at UK institutions in order to accommodate as many overseas students as feasible. Unfortunately, there aren't enough spots for everyone. Additionally, it is difficult for these students to obtain housing.
Tips for Finding a Good Place to Stay in the UK
1. Do your research
- You may quickly resolve this problem if you have a general idea of where in the city you would like to reside and what possibilities are accessible to you.
- Making research is a simple chore today. Simply sit in your living room and begin your online search. Many helpful resources are available, including several websites for UK housing.
- You may look at the trend of rent costs to see where it would be more affordable and practical for you. You can also participate in online student forums where you are allowed to ask other students who have experienced this before you.
2. Check to see if there are any private dorms nearby
- There are not enough beds in university dorms for all incoming international students, thus several private dorms are constructed to house the remainder.
- There are presumably a lot of them in areas with major international student migration. They deserve top consideration since they provide comparable living circumstances to university dormitories at a lower cost than private flats.
- Additionally, many institutions have their own cafeterias, residential halls, libraries, and other spaces for various activities, including sports. In addition, it is a wonderful chance to interact with pupils. In other words, it will be a typical, welcoming setting for kids.
3. Make preparations before traveling
- Timing is everything to you as a student. If you have everything in order in time, you can fully focus on your academics, which should be your main priority.
- Even if it could be challenging, it is much better if you at least develop a list of the people and organisations you will contact to handle your accommodation request when you arrive in the UK.
- Your university ought to be your initial stop. Their international student office will undoubtedly assist your study, or it will be carried out independently.
4. Look for housemates
- If you are forced to live in a private flat or apartment, we advise sharing it with someone else. The cost of renting is too high for a student to bear on their own, whether they are living in London or somewhere else in the UK that is far less expensive.
5. Confirm that the accommodation provides all you want
- Always check to see whether an accommodation has what you need before choosing it over other possibilities. Price is crucial, no doubt, but you should always try to find the greatest bargain. If it lacks the necessities of existence, you must not rent it.
6. Gather information about the place
- The location of your lodging is crucial. Along with being able to influence rent costs somewhat, it will also benefit in other ways.
- First, the distance from your university could be a factor. Of course, you should look for an apartment that is as close as feasible.
- Additionally, you might check to determine if downtown areas are sufficiently accessible. If you travel to your institution on a regular basis, look for a neighborhood with bicycle lanes so you can drive securely. Further, you might look to check if there are any shops around.
7. Documents Check
- If you live with your landlord, you might not need as many documents, but you'll need some to reserve housing through an agency or website. Always make sure you have a documented contract in place.
- When making a reservation through an agency or website, you'll have to sign a contract, and some may even request a deposit equal to one month's rent, which will be reimbursed after the rental agreement is through.
The Best Websites for Student Accomodation in UK
1. ACCOMMODATION FOR STUDENTS
This site, which won the prize for "most evident website while seeking for student accommodation," stands up to its prominent URL, offering practically everything a student looking for housing may require. Students can pick between privately owned homes, apartments, and private halls from a database that displays properties by city, a number of beds, price, or kind.
2. RIGHT MOVE STUDENT
With hundreds of homes in locations all across the United Kingdom, Student is another service that offers student housing. Their relatively affordable homes, which can be sorted by price, location, and the number of bedrooms, are all kept on the Right Move website to prevent switching between websites. MiM in UK students can look at this.
3. UNITE STUDENTS
Unite Students, which claims to be the U.K.'s "leading developer and manager of student accommodation", doesn't actually serve every university; however, in the cities they do, there is access to housing that was built specifically for students and is safer, more dependable, and better maintained than many privately-owned apartments.
4. STUDENTPAD.CO.UK
Students can find cheaper housing near universities and deal directly with the owners, giving them more freedom and flexibility when choosing a home, even though this is another website that does not cater to all universities. Studentpad has a great search engine that gives a large number of links to other housing sites around the country, the majority of which are local to the area in question.
5. AMBER
Over 150 thousand rooms are available on Amber, a top website for arranging student housing throughout the UK. With just one click, they will assist you in finding the greatest and most reasonably priced student apartments in London close to prestigious institutions like Imperial College London, University College London, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding student accommodation in UK can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. By starting your search early, considering your budget, and exploring different options such as private rentals and student halls, you can find the perfect place to live during your studies. Don't hesitate to seek advice from university accommodation services or student forums for recommendations. Remember, your accommodation plays a significant role in your overall experience, so take the time to research and find a place that feels like home. Best of luck with your studies abroad!
