Finding housing can be the most difficult aspect of relocating overseas. If you want to find the best combination of location, price, and fantastic flatmates, you should begin your search as soon as possible.
However, with all of the steps involved in applying to universities and purchasing airline tickets, lodging can sometimes fall to the bottom of your priority list.
Don’t worry, even if you start looking for student housing at the last minute, there are plenty of possibilities to pick from.
Students in the UK have two primary alternatives for their home abroad: halls of residence (on-campus or off-campus) or private lodgings.
Halls of residence
The British term “halls of residence” refers to student housing or dorms. There are two sorts of halls: university halls and private halls, which are typically located outside the campus.
They often consist of 5-10 rooms on one floor that share a kitchen, a living room, or some form of common area. Most of these rooms have their own bathroom/toilet, or they share one with the room next door.
You can choose from a variety of room kinds, including single, double, and luxury rooms, depending on your budget.
The advantage of living in halls of residence is that you are surrounded by students, making it easier to make new acquaintances.
Another advantage is that in most cases (especially for university halls of residence), they are located on campus, allowing you to avoid the daily commute and public transportation. You will be able to wake up 10 minutes before the lecture and still arrive on time.
In the United Kingdom, you can select between catered and uncatered halls of residence. Catered halls provide three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), with a shared kitchen available if you feel hungry between meals.
The price of the room does not differ depending on whether it is university-owned or privately owned, but you will most likely spend extra if you choose the catered option.
Most university halls of residence application options are automatically delivered to your email once you have been accepted to study at the university. This means you should apply as soon as possible if you wish to reserve a room on campus, as space is limited.
If you are accepted, you will most likely have to pay the rent in advance. Depending on the accommodation, it can be six months in advance or for the entire academic year.
Private accommodation
If you prefer to live in a private house, there are several possibilities available.
Most of the residences become accessible in June, after the academic year and all exams are completed. Students typically return home during the summer and leave their existing accommodations.
If you already have some friends who want to live with you, it makes the work a little easier because you’ll know your flatmates and can look for a place together.
If you’re coming alone and want to live in a house, that’s fine; there are plenty of other students seeking both a house and flatmates.
SpareRoom is the perfect spot to start your search, as it has everything you need. Simply specify your search criteria, such as a flat or a home, a single room, a double room, flatmates, or almost anything. That’s how I found my home and flatmates!
Gumtree is another website that offers not just property rentals but also used items (such as furniture).
Gumtree covers all UK locations, regardless of where you choose to study. Another alternative is Facebook Marketplace, which typically facilitates connection with landlords and allows you to view their profiles.
Even though arranging private accommodation can be difficult, especially if you’re moving from afar, the suggestion is not to pay anything in advance if you haven’t visited the home or seen the owner in person.
Check if the place you wish to rent is legitimate, taking into account the location, size, price, and anything else you consider relevant.
Don’t forget to bring some items that will make you feel more at home, even if it’s a teddy bear.
Once you’ve settled in and gotten to know the folks with whom you share your living space, you’ll feel a lot more at ease and prepared for all of the university chores that await you.
