Did you kid just get admission in their dream college in UK? Congratulations! It is definitely one of the most important achievements of life. Speaking of achievements, the next step into student living is finding student accommodation in UK. And, if you are someone who’s figuring it out or maybe doesn’t know much, you have just landed in the right place. As student’s favourite student housing provider, we at Uninist has a mission to help every student, parent, guardian, or anyone who is searching for a student accommodation tips in UK.
Understanding every requirement, we have penned down some of the tips which no one tells to parents and guardians. From finding flexible student accommodation in UK to helpful guides, we have covered it all. Read the blog till the end to find the answer of what, why and which student accommodation to choose!
What Are the Things to Keep in Mind While Finding Student Accommodation?Â
Every parent/guardian wants the best for their children like education, student accommodation, lifestyle and more. Here is the list of top things to keep in mind while searching for student accommodation in UK:
- Safety and Security: First and the foremost thing to look for in a student housing is its safety and security. Explore for accommodation that comes with 24/7 security, CCTV camera, and a safe neighbourhood.
- Distance from University: The second important thing is the distance from the college. Look for a college that is within walking distance or has proper public transport availability. Long travel for college can cause a lot of time wastage.
- Value for Money: You should compare the rent with other available student accommodation. Check if the bills like electricity, water, heating, and WiFi are included in the student accom. Also, don’t forget to ask for hidden costs like deposits, etc.
- Amenities Provided: The student housing should come with the amenities like laundry, study rooms, gym, common areas, etc. Ensure enough amenities are provided before renting the student accommodation.
- Lease Terms and Flexibility: Search for flexible student accommodation which don’t have any problems with flexible payment options. Don’t forget to read the lease carefully and note the lease duration, early exit policies, refund, etc.
- Emergency Support: Ensure that there is a 24/7 onsite staff or helpline in case of unforeseen emergency. Also, briefly understand the process of contacting emergency services.
- Reputation and Reviews: Before renting any student accommodation, search for reviews on Google or directly ask the students about the reputation of the student accommodation.
- Room and Privacy: Decide which type of student housing you want to choose before renting. There are many types of student accommodation like student rooms, ensuite rooms, student apartments, and traditional student accommodation provided by the college. In shared student accommodation, understand how many people share common areas like kitchen and bathroom.
- Food Options: Confirm if the student accommodation has self-catered or catered. Also, look for nearby grocery stores.
- Essentials Availability: Ensure if the essential stores are nearby or not like supermarkets, pharmacies, bus/train stops, hospitals, and gym. If there are any student-friendly cafes available near the student accommodation then it’s a blessing for sure.
- Cultural Sensitivity and Diversity: If you come from a different culture, explore for student housing that is diverse and tolerant towards different types of culture. Diverse student accommodation ensures inclusivity and a comfortable environment.
- Insurance and Liability: Check if the student accommodation has insurance against theft and property damage and how much you will be liable in case of property damage.
- Communication with Landlord: A responsible and responsive landlord is must, make sure that the landlord of your student accommodation is responsive. Avoid poorly maintained student housing.
- Visit if Possible: The last step is to visit the student housing before renting if the visit is possible. Seeing the student accommodation before renting can solve many doubts.
These are all the things to keep in mind before renting a student accommodation.
Student Apartment/ Student Rooms/ Ensuite Rooms: Which One Should I Choose?
There are many types of student accommodation available in UK but most of the students go for any one from these three student accommodation options. Here is the detailed comparison between the three:
| Basis | Student apartment | Student rooms | Ensuite rooms |
| Privacy | High privacy. private kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom | Low privacy. Have to share bathroom and kitchen | Medium to high. Private bedroom and bathroom but the kitchen is shared |
| Rent | High rent ranging from £180-£300/week | Low rent ranging from £90-£140/week | Moderate rent from £140-£19-/week |
| Facilities | Provided personal kitchen and living space and full apartment setup | Basic amenities like furniture | Better furniture with private space and shared kitchen amenities |
| Social Life | Unless shared with friends, you are pretty much alone and less scope of socializing | Very high, you get to meet with a lot of people and high scope of making friends | Balanced scope of social life, private space but shared kitchen will lead to socializing |
| Cleaning and Maintenance | Tenants are responsible for everything | Often includes basic cleaning of shared space | Private bathroom needs self-cleaning |
| Security and support | Depends on the building and the neighborhood | Often includes reception and staff | Similar to student rooms |
| Best for | Students who want independent space | Best for budget-conscious students or those who are new to living alone | Best for students who want balance between privacy and social life |
For parents or guardians, this list gives a brief comparison between the most selected student accommodation options. While selecting a particular student accommodation consider the differences between the options and you are good to go!
Conclusion
We understand it is hard to send away your child to a different country and there are some serious concerns. As we cover the tips for parents & guardians, we have rounded up the best tips possible. From the point of view of parents and guardians, follow our tips while searching for student accommodation in UK. All the points we mentioned should be taken into consideration before making any final decision as these are the things which can make your children’s life easy.
So, head to Uninist and make sure that you find the best student housing in UK for your baby. Moreover, don’t forget to compare all the things before making an informed decision!
FAQ
Is student accommodation in UK expensive or cheap?
Expensive or cheap totally depends on the city, area, and type of student accommodation you are going for. Some apartments in UK charge £300/week or more whereas student rooms can cost £90/week. So, those three factors mostly influence the cost of student accommodation.
Which one is better, student apartments or ensuite rooms?
This totally depends on the student’s lifestyle. If you are someone who prefers privacy, student apartments make a great choice. While, if you want to explore true student living, ensuite rooms are the one. Plus, the cost also plays a major role while choosing student accommodation.
What are the things to keep in mind while searching for student accommodation?
Here is the list of things to keep in mind while searching for student accommodation in UK are:
1. Safety and security
2. Distance from university
3. Value for money
4. Amenities provided
5. Lease terms and flexibility
6. Emergency support
7. Reputation and reviews
8. Room and privacy
9. Lease terms and flexibility
10. Food options
11. Essentials availability
12. Cultural sensitivity and diversity
13. Insurance and liability
14. Communication with landlord
15. Visit if possibleAre there any short term student accommodation available in UK?
Yes, many student cities like London, Manchester, Leeds, and many more offer short term student accommodation options. Short term student accommodation are those accommodation which are rented for less than 6 months.
Should we visit before booking student housing in UK?
There is no hard and fast rule of visiting the student housing before finalizing the same. However, it is always better to visit as it gives parents a peace of mind. If you are not able to visit the property, do your research by taking virtual tours, ask around and read reviews.
What is the average rent for student accommodation in different UK cities?
Rent varies by location. For instance, London might cost £300/week, while smaller cities like Manchester or Sheffield could range from £90 to £150/week.
What are the advantages of self-catered student accommodation?
Self-catered accommodation offers flexibility in meal preparation, which can be more economical and convenient, allowing students to manage their own schedules.
Can I negotiate the rent for student accommodation in the UK?
Some landlords or accommodation providers may offer discounts, especially for long-term leases or during off-peak seasons. It’s worth asking.
How do I know if a student accommodation has good transport links?
Look for accommodations near bus or train stations, or check public transport routes to your child’s university. Many student accommodations provide easy access to public transport.
What should I look for when reviewing student accommodation reviews?
Focus on feedback about safety, communication with landlords, maintenance, and amenities. A high rating for cleanliness and reliability is also crucial.
