How to Prepare for Life After University 💡
UK student accommodation guide: types, cost & how to book
So, you’ve got your university offer letter, you’re moving to a brand-new city and the next chapter of your education is mapped out! It’s an exciting time all round. But before you can start living your best student life, there’s the small matter of where you’re going to live.
Finding the right student accommodation is one of the most important parts of your university experience. So, as experts on all things student accommodation, we’re here to make sure you get it right.
In this complete guide, we’ll run through everything you need to know about student accommodation in the UK, including the differences between private and halls, typical costs, where to look for accommodation and the best times to book. Let’s get into it…
TL;DR: UK student accommodation options are plentiful – you can choose between halls of residence, purpose-built accommodation or traditional rental properties. Average costs vary considerably, as they depend on the region, how many people you’re sharing with and your accommodation’s amenities. But whatever your budget, you won’t be short on options.
Types of student accommodation 🏢
The UK student accommodation market is vast, catering to students looking for a sociable, shared living experience as well as those seeking privacy and independence. The main types of accommodation are:
- University halls of residence
- Private student halls (PBSA)
- Rental properties (e.g. HMOs, private rentals)
- Living at home (e.g. with family)
It’s really up to you to choose which suits you best, so we’ve put together this handy table to get you up to speed on your options:
Accommodation type | Average cost | Room options | Amenities | Pros | Cons | Who it suits |
University halls (halls of residence) | £150–£3500 per week, bills usually included | Typically single, twin or en-suite rooms | Communal kitchen/living areas, some have social/study spaces | Easy to arrange, close to campus, very social, university support, catering options | Can’t choose flatmates, can be noisy, may not get first choice | First-years new to independent living, those seeking social experience |
PBSA/private halls | £150–£400+ per week, bills usually included | En-suites, studios, apartments | Gyms, cinema rooms, study areas, security, social events | Premium facilities, great locations, community feel, on-site support, flexible contracts | Can be more expensive, facilities vary by provider | Students prioritising convenience and modern living, international students, postgraduates |
Rental properties/HMOs (shared student housing) | £125–£300 per week, bills typically not included | Typically single or en-suite room in shared apartment | Shared kitchen/living spaces, may have private outdoor areas | Cheaper option, can choose who you live with, more independence | Managing bills, landlord issues, shared living spaces, potentially longer commute | Groups of friends, budget-conscious students, those looking for independence |
Let’s break these down to give you more insight into what living in these types of accommodation is actually like, and if it’s the right choice for you.
University halls
One of the most common options for first-years is university halls (AKA halls of residence). Halls are usually shared flats or apartments, pairing you with other people in your first year and giving you the opportunity to get to know people quickly.
Room options really depend on the university and how modern the accommodation is, but typically you’ll be choosing between a standard room (with a shared bathroom) or an en-suite. Some halls also offer catering plans, providing you with meals in a dining hall-type setting.
Costs
Halls of residence are generally pretty affordable, with bills usually included. Like the other options, though, costs vary considerably by region. For example, London universities have much higher fees than those elsewhere in the country.
Your rent will also creep up if you opt for an en-suite room or catering plan. Larger campus universities will often have as many as 10 different halls of residence, so there’s often a good range of options to suit different budgets.
Who it suits
University halls are a great way to ease into independent living (for example, figuring out laundry, cooking your own meals in the shared kitchen and essentially kick-starting adult life!). Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons:
- Pros: Often on campus so close proximity to the university, sociable vibe, fairly easy to book and manage
- Cons: Can be noisy, don't get to choose flatmates, limited choice of rooms
Private accommodation
Private student halls or PBSA (purpose-built student accommodation) are modern buildings tailored for student living. The big difference between private and university halls is the facilities and who run them — university halls are run by the university itself and typically converted older residential buildings, whilst PBSAs are operated by private companies (like Yugo) and built specifically to house students.
PBSAs feature modern amenities like gyms, social lounges, cinema rooms and dedicated study spaces, so they’re great for socialising and making friends. They also come with extensive security features, including 24/7 CCTV and on-site support.
In terms of rooms, you can choose an en-suite with shared kitchen and living areas or opt for a self-contained studio with its own kitchenette. Many private halls will also have additional options in the form of dual occupancy rooms or larger independent apartments.
Costs
Accommodation costs again vary by location in both the UK and the city, and whether you’re looking to share or prefer a solo studio. Generally, though, PBSA is a premium option and comes at a higher price point than halls and HMOs.
The variety of room types and on-site amenities on offer also means a wider price range. For instance, a basic en-suite will often be similar to university halls and private rented housing, whilst a studio room in a brand-new building with a gym, cinema room and other amenities will obviously command a much higher price.
Who it suits
Private halls are a popular choice for international students as they’re easy to book, often have multilingual teams working on-site and offer a built-in community from day one. In general, though, they’re a great option for any student looking for greater independence and modern amenities.
- Pros: Premium facilities, sociable, choice of rooms, flexible contracts
- Cons: Can be more expensive than standard halls and private rentals
Rental properties & HMOs
Renting from a private landlord (either an individual/joint tenancy or HMO) is another popular option in the UK, particularly for second- and third-year students returning to university after spending their first year in halls.
Typically, a group of friends will live together in an apartment or house that’s been converted into student flats. Room types are usually either a single room with a shared bathroom or an en-suite room in larger spaces.
Contract requirements tend to be a bit more complicated than private and university halls, so they're worth reading up on if you’re considering this option. The main thing to note is that HMOs come with a joint liability contract, meaning if one housemate stops paying rent, the landlord can legally demand the money from the rest of you.
Costs
Besides the regional variations, costs will mainly depend on how many people you’re sharing with. Bills and utilities are typically not included in the costs, so you’ll need to factor these in when considering your budget.
In most cases, private rentals will still be cheaper than the other options — particularly large households with more flatmates and shared areas. Individual or joint tenancies in smaller apartments will often be priced similarly to PBSA.
Who it suits
Property rentals are great for groups of friends who are set on living together, and will often help you build your independence as you navigate managing bills and dealing with a landlord for the first time. Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons:
- Pros: Affordable, independent living, choose who you live with
- Cons: Managing bills and contracts, shared spaces, fewer room options
Student accommodation costs 💰
Now that you’ve got an idea of the types of accommodation available to you, it’s worth digging a bit deeper into the costs so you can determine what actually works for your budget. Below, we run through what’s covered by your rent, when you need to pay and how costs vary across the UK.
What’s included?
Unfortunately, there’s often more to the cost of your student accommodation than just rent. Depending on what you’ve gone for, you may also need to pay a deposit, bills and potentially other fees:
- Rent: Regular cost covering access to your room and communal areas.
- Bills: Includes energy, heating, water and Wi-Fi, typically included in the rental cost of private and university halls but paid separately in rental properties and HMOs.
- Deposit: Security payment to cover property damage or unpaid rent, refunded at the end of your tenancy. Typical of most accommodation, though some PBSA providers charge an advance rent payment instead.
- Contents insurance: Optional cost you may choose to pay to protect your valuables, sometimes included in the rental cost of private and university halls.
When do you pay?
You’ll generally pay your rent either monthly or termly (generally aligned to when student loan payments are released in October, January, and April), with this depending on the type of accommodation you choose:
- University halls: Typically termly, though some universities may offer monthly plans.
- PBSA/private halls: Often these give you the option to pay monthly or termly depending on what suits you, or upfront at the start of your tenancy if you don’t have a guarantor.
- Rental properties/HMOs: Almost always monthly.
Average costs across the UK
While the UK average cost for student accommodation is thought to be around £575 per month (£144 per week), it ultimately depends on the type of accommodation you choose and where your university is based.
For a rough guide to the average student accommodation cost by region, we’ve put together this table below:
Region | University halls | PBSA/private halls | Rental properties/HMOs |
London | £800–£1,400+ | £1,000–£2,000 | £800–£1,400 |
South East (Southampton, Oxford, Brighton) | £600–£1,000 | £700–£1,100 | £500–£900 |
South West (Bristol, Exeter) | £600–£1,000 | £700–£1,100 | £500–£900 |
East of England (Cambridge, Norwich) | £600–£1,000 | £700–£1,100 | £500–£900 |
West Midlands (Birmingham, Coventry, Warwick) | £600–£1,000 | £700–£1,100 | £600–£1,000 |
East Midlands (Nottingham, Leicester, Loughborough) | £600–£1,000 | £700–£1,100 | £500–£900 |
Yorkshire & Humber (Leeds, Sheffield, York) | £500–£900 | £500–£900 | £400–£800 |
North West (Manchester, Liverpool, Lancaster) | £600–£1,000 | £600–£1,000 | £500–£900 |
North East (Newcastle, Durham) | £500–£900 | £500–£900 | £300–£700 |
Wales (Cardiff, Swansea) | £500–£900 | £500–£900 | £300–£700 |
Scotland (Edinburgh, Glasgow, St Andrews) | £600–£1,000 | £600–£1,000 | £500–£900 |
For a deeper dive into regional costs, check out our dedicated student cost of living guides for London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Bournemouth.
The ins and outs of booking student accommodation 🏠
By this point, you should have a good idea what type of accommodation is going to suit your budget and lifestyle — so how do you actually go about booking your student home? Get the lowdown on where to look for accommodation, specific booking requirements to be aware of and when to carry out your search.
Where to look
To kick-start your student accommodation search, there are a few places we’d recommend researching. But these vary depending on your choice of accommodation type:
- University halls: Your university’s housing services (look for the ‘accommodation’ or ‘halls of residence’ section on their website.
- PBSA/private halls: The provider’s own website to get the best deals, student accommodation-specific listings platforms
- Rental properties/HMOs: Local letting agents, property rental platforms like Rightmove and Zoopla.
When to apply
The UK’s student accommodation market can be competitive — especially in the top student cities — so it’s worth knowing when peak booking season takes place so you can get ahead of the crowd. Again, though, this varies based on your chosen accommodation:
- University halls: Best to apply as early as possible after receiving your offer — generally, you’ll provide your preferred halls from among the university’s options, with the most popular spots filling up quickly.
- Rental properties/HMOs: The peak booking window is January–March for September move-in, though many students start researching before Christmas
- PBSA/private halls: Follows a similar pattern to private rentals, though PBSAs often have last-minute rooms available for students heading to university via clearing.
Requirements & guarantors
Once you’ve found a property you like, you’ll generally need to provide identification (such as a passport or ID card), proof of your right to study in the UK if you’re an international student, and a deposit or advance payment to secure your booking.
If you’re booking private halls or a rented property, you may also need to provide a UK-based guarantor. This is someone who can cover the rent if you're unable to pay — it’s essentially a financial safety net in case something happens during the tenancy, such as someone leaving the property or refusing to pay bills.
Guarantors can be parents or family members, but they’ll need to meet certain requirements:
- Be at least 18 years old (in some cases, 21 or older)
- Live and pay taxes in the UK
- Earn a gross annual income of at least 2.5 to 3.5 x the annual rent, or hold substantial cash savings
- Pass a credit check
- In some cases, they may need to be a UK homeowner themselves
If you can’t provide a qualifying guarantor, not to worry. Generally, you’ll have the option to either pay the full cost of your rent upfront, or use a third-party guarantor service that signs a legally binding deed of guarantee to cover any unpaid rent or property damage during your tenancy for a one-off fee (often around 60% to 95% of one month’s rent).
Ready to find your student accommodation? 🔎
Now you’ve learnt all there is to know about UK student accommodation, it’s time to choose yours! We’d recommend chatting through your options with family or friends, as they know you best and can help advise on what’s most suitable for your next home. In the meantime, try to think about what’s really important to you in your university experience:
- If it’s being sociable and close to university = university halls
- If it’s community and having exciting on-site features = PBSA
- If it’s living with people you know and saving costs = shared rental property
Considering private student halls and keen to learn more about what living in one is actually like? Check out our full UK student accommodation listings all around England, Scotland and Wales to settle into your next chapter.
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