Student accommodation in the UK: what to expect
The UK has over 160 universities spread across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. About 600,000 international students are here at any given time. The country is small enough that you can get between most major cities in a couple of hours by train, which is part of the appeal.
This page covers the main types of student accommodation, how to think about costs in different cities, and some practical things to sort out before you arrive.
Types of accommodation
Purpose-built student halls (PBSA) are the most straightforward option, especially if you are coming from overseas. You get a furnished room (usually en-suite), a shared kitchen, and one weekly bill that covers everything: rent, electricity, water, heating, Wi-Fi, contents insurance. No separate utility accounts, no council tax, no arguments about the heating bill.
University halls are run by the university itself. They are usually cheaper than private PBSA and guaranteed for first-years at most institutions. The social side is a draw, since you live alongside people on your course. Apply through your university’s accommodation office, typically between March and July.
Private rented housing means a shared house or flat from a private landlord, usually via an estate agent. This is the standard from second year onwards. Cheaper per room in most cities, but bills are separate, quality is hit-and-miss, and you will probably need a UK-based guarantor. View the property before you sign anything.
Homestay means living with a British family. You get a private room, usually with meals included. It is often more affordable than a student hall, and you get the added benefit of daily English practice and a local who can help you settle in. Homestay is popular with language students and people on shorter courses, but plenty of degree students choose it too. Our sister company London Homestays has been arranging homestay placements since 2006.
What does it cost?
This depends enormously on the city and the type of accommodation. London is the most expensive by a wide margin. Cities like Glasgow, Cardiff, and Sheffield are noticeably cheaper across the board.
Within any city, en-suite rooms cost more than shared-bathroom rooms. Studios cost more again. Short-stay contracts carry a premium over full academic year bookings. And Zone 1 in London is a different world from Zone 3.
Rather than publish a table of prices that will be out of date before long, we would rather give you numbers that are actually accurate for your situation. Send us your dates and budget and we will tell you exactly what is available.
One thing worth knowing: private rentals look cheaper on paper but bills add up. Electricity, gas, water, Wi-Fi, and contents insurance typically add £30-50 a week on top of the headline rent. Student halls bundle all that into one price.
For visa purposes, UKVI currently requires proof of £1,334 a month for London or £1,023 a month for outside London as maintenance funds.
What is included in a student room?
A typical purpose-built student room comes furnished: a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, and some shelving. En-suite rooms have a private shower and toilet. Shared bathroom rooms are cheaper and you split facilities with a handful of others on your floor.
Studio rooms combine your sleeping area, a small kitchenette (typically a hob, microwave, and mini-fridge), and a private bathroom in one room. You do not share a kitchen with other students. They are the most expensive room type in most halls, but popular with postgrads and people who want to cook on their own schedule.
In standard halls (non-studio), kitchens are shared, usually one per five to eight students. They come equipped with a cooker, fridge-freezer, and basic bits.
Laundry is usually on-site, coin-operated or app-based, around £2-4 a wash. Most buildings have some kind of common area, a study room, and CCTV with secure entry.
You need to bring your own bedding, towels, and kitchen utensils, or buy them when you arrive. Most halls sell a bedding pack on move-in day if you do not want to shop on day one.
Picking a city
Your university comes first, obviously. After that, it is mostly about budget and what kind of place you want to live in.
Living costs outside London are 20-40% lower. If the same course is offered in London and Manchester, that difference adds up over three years. Part-time work is easier to find in larger cities (international students can work up to 20 hours a week during term). And the UK is well connected by rail, so you are not stuck wherever you end up. Manchester to London is two hours. Edinburgh to Glasgow is 50 minutes.
The cities
London is the biggest, most international, and most expensive. Over 40 universities, more career opportunities than anywhere else in the country, and a social life that never stops. Whether the premium is worth it depends on your course and your budget.
Manchester is probably the closest thing to London without London prices. Two big universities, a serious music and football culture, and a growing tech industry. Most students love it here.
Glasgow is affordable and has a reputation for being genuinely friendly. Three universities, a great live music scene, and some of the best Victorian architecture in Britain. The weather is what it is.
Liverpool has low living costs and a lot of personality. Two universities, strong cultural identity, and a sense of community that is hard to find in bigger cities.
Birmingham is England’s second-largest city and has had a lot of investment in recent years. Three universities, a central location, and some of the best food in the country if you know where to look.
Sheffield keeps showing up in student satisfaction surveys. Two universities, affordable rent, and the Peak District is right there if you like getting outdoors.
Leeds has a big student population relative to its size, which means the whole city is geared towards students. Good nightlife, good food, and a growing digital economy.
Cardiff is compact and affordable. Cardiff University is Russell Group, the city has a strong sports culture around the Principality Stadium, and rents are noticeably lower than English cities.
Plymouth is a coastal city in Devon. Smaller than the others, but if you are studying marine biology or want to be near the sea, it has a lot going for it.
Practical stuff for international students
Start your accommodation search early. The best rooms go between February and May for September move-in. Do not assume you can sort it out when you land.
You may need a confirmed UK address for your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) as part of the visa process. PBSA providers can usually issue the right paperwork.
Most contracts run for a fixed period, typically 40-44 weeks for an academic year. Check the cancellation terms before you sign. Some providers charge a penalty for early departure; others will not let you leave at all.
The Graduate Route visa lets you stay and work in the UK for two years after finishing your degree (three years for PhD graduates). It is worth factoring that into your city choice if you plan to work here after studying.
Opening a UK bank account requires a UK address. Your accommodation provider can give you a tenancy confirmation letter to take to the bank.
Get in touch
We have been helping students find accommodation across the UK since 2012. We do not charge you anything for it. If you would prefer to live with a British family rather than in a student hall, our sister company London Homestays arranges homestay placements in London.
Tell us your university, your dates, and your budget, and we will send you a shortlist of what is available. Send an enquiry, browse all residences, or ask us a question.
