Universities have a range of accommodation
options for your students to suit a variety of budgets
and requirements. It is important for your students to
spend time researching their options online. They should also
visit the accommodation in person if they
attend a university open day, applicant day, or
offer-holder day to help them select the most suitable option.
Accommodation applications vary between
universities and may have different deadlines.
Students are typically able to apply for their
accommodation after they’ve made their firm and
insurance choices with UCAS. This article describes the
three types of university accommodation, and offers
top tips for your students when deciding where to live.
Most universities have their own
accommodation (halls of residence) where
many first year students live. This could include en-suite
or shared bathroom facilities, or self-catered or
catered options. The cost will vary depending
on what they choose. They usually charge
a weekly rent, but your students will pay it termly in line with
receiving their student loan payments.
Students usually stay in halls from September
to June, sometimes with the option to extend
their contract to 52 weeks. This is a valuable option for international students,
health and medicine students, and care-leaver students.
If a
student has additional requirements, it is
important they research how the university can
support their needs. For instance, they might require
an accessible room, and should contact the
university directly to discuss their needs.
Some universities partner with local, privately-owned accommodation providers to increase their accommodation offering. Universities work with private providers in various ways. The student contract could be with the university or the private provider. It is always best for your students to check.
Many cities have privately-owned halls of
residence that are not associated with the
university. These typically offer self-catered,
en-suite rooms with shared kitchen facilities.
Some offer studio apartments. Students apply to
the provider directly. They’re often housed with
a mix of undergraduate and postgraduate students
from different universities.
After the first year, students may move into
these privately-owned halls.
However, more often than not,
students move into private rented houses in the local
area with friends they’ve made in their first year.
Many universities help students to find this accommodation
and will also help them to check
contracts with private landlords.
1. Students shouldn’t rule out shared bathroom
facilities. After all, they’re a great way to
save money. They might only share with one
or two other people rather than the twenty
they might be imagining. It is more like sharing with
other family members at home!
2. Students should use the Student Finance Calculator to get an estimate of their student
loan. This will help them understand which accommodation is
within their budget.
3. Students should check if the university
has a guarantee scheme for securing a
place in their accommodation. They should also check
if there are any conditions linked
to the guarantee, such as making the university
their firm choice or applying by a certain
deadline.
4. Students are usually required to pay a
deposit or advanced rent payment. It’s worth
mentioning this to parents because it’s usually due
around exam results day in August, which is before
students will receive their student loan payment.
Advanced rent payments are deducted
from the total accommodation fee. Deposits are
returned provided the contract isn’t breached.
5. Students should check what’s included in
their accommodation, such as microwaves, toasters,
Wi-Fi, and bedding. Thankfully, most universities have a
platform where students can speak to their
flatmates before moving-in day. This saves
everyone turning up with five pots and pans!
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