Choosing your accommodation at university

Private shared housing can be found through local letting agents; your university or student union may have a list of recommended agents in the local area. Typically, a private landlord wants to let the whole building, so this could be a good option for groups of three to five friends wanting to live together.

Private houses are often located a slightly further away from campus, but, for houses in areas with large student populations, you’ll often find bars, restaurants and shops nearby that cater well to students. Out of all the options listed in this guide, private shared housing tends to be the most cost-effective.

Unlike the two options above, which are all inclusive of bills and maintenance, you will usually need to organise bill payment yourselves if you are in a private house.

University accommodation, private halls and shared housing each offer different advantages and attract different groups of students. Making the right choice of where to live is important for every student. The more thorough your research, the more informed a choice you can make to pave the way for the best possible student experience.