Do you know what are the few most important things when you go study abroad? The university? Courses? Student visa? Yes, those are important but what else?
ACCOMMODATION! THE PLACE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO LIVE IN FOR THE NEXT MAYBE 3-4 YEARS.
Besides the school, the accommodation is probably the next place that you're going to spend most of your time at. Can you imagine living in a house full of rubbish, dirty clothes, messy housemates with no security? Life is tough enough when you need to be away from family and dealing with homesick while studying overseas, so at least get yourself a comfy place that you can call “the 2nd home” to go back to at the end of the day.
Planning for accommodation is almost as crucial as deciding on the study destination as it requires thought and calculated decisions. You will have to be mindful about the expenses, bills, transportation, location, security and the list goes on. Never settle down until you get the best option that suits you and your budget.
Here are some of the top accommodations in UK available for all students pursuing their education
Private-rented Houses and Rooms
- Private room or flat
- Option: Shared-room with roommates or single room
- Managed by landlords
- Usually located in residential areas with a larger concentration of student population
University-managed Houses and Rooms
- Available primarily for the undergraduate and postgraduate students of that particular university/ college
- The permitted number of roommates usually range between 2 to12 (depends upon the size of the house)
- Managed by the universities and colleges
- Located in close proximity to the college with good transportation links to the college or university
University Halls of Residence
- On-campus residence, caters primarily to the students of that particular university or college
- Popular choice of accommodation especially the first-year students
- Every need of the students will be taken care of by the university
- Offers a great platform for students to interact and acquire more knowledge about the university
Private Halls
- Similar to the university halls when it comes to the services and facilities
- Managed by private organizations
- Open for all students from different universities and colleges
- Great place for creating networks and socializing with the students from other universities and colleges
Family stays/Homestays
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Popular choice for visiting students from overseas
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Students will usually rent a room with a local family who will act as their host
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Mostly preferred by those students who want a cozy, homely environment
Comparison between Different Types of Accommodations in the UK
Types of Accommodation | Utilities | Facilities | Location | Transportation | Housemates | Security |
Private-rented Houses & Rooms |
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University-managed Houses and Rooms |
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University Halls of Residence |
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Private Halls |
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Family stays/Homestays |
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To be Considered Seriously Before Signing an Agreement
- Guarantors: Landlords often ask for ‘guarantors’ to sign an agreement guaranteeing the payment of rent in place of the student. The guarantor is most often the student’s family member
- Tenancy deposit for private rentals: The students will be asked to pay the tenancy deposit which will be acting as a cover for any unpaid rents or for any damages caused to the property. The deposits must be assured back at the end of the tenancy if no amount was deducted from it.
- University-managed houses: Unlike the accommodations managed by private organizations, the students will not be required to pay a deposit or have a guarantor as their admission into the university/ college will fulfil the purpose.
- University halls: The students will have to pay the deposits for the hall accommodations in prior and the utility bills are usually included under the accommodation cost.
- Utility bills will mostly be included in the rent, it's essential that the students clarify this before signing an agreement.