How to find affordable off-campus student accommodation in the UK?
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Home to international students more than any other country in the world. Over the years, the demand for universities among students has kept growing at a rapid rate (679,970) in 2023. At the same time, there’s also a popular and fast need for off-campus accommodation in UK.
Finding London student housing or in any city is not a hassle, but scoring the best student accommodation is a task if you are laid back and wait until the eleventh hour!
The Key Here is Simple: Always Start Early
Now, to help you ease the process we’ve pulled some of the best tips on how to find the best accommodation in UK for international students.
A simple, straightforward and informative guide on finding off-campus housing in UK:
The categories of student accommodation in the UK
Whether you decide on a student accommodation in Cambridge or student accommodation near London City Centre, or for that matter, anywhere in the United Kingdom, they all come in the same category. By, this we mean the types of off campus student accommodation available in the UK:
- Student Housing: A popular and trending type of housing amongst international students. In simple terms, this is a under the category of student rooms in Uk like:
- Studio: If you seek for 1 or 2 BHK student housings with modern facilities and inclusive of utility bills, then this is the one you should choose as your student accommodation options Coventry or anywhere in the UK.
- En-suite: In this type of student housing, you get a large space bedroom, separate bathrooms and kitchen. Apart from this, they come furnished, equipped with modern amenities and include utility bills.
- Private Apartment: Most students opt for a shared accommodation type. It allows sharing spaces between a group ranging from 4-6 people. There are amenities provided to simplify the student living experience. You also have the option of choosing single accommodation options in Southampton or any other city.
When to start looking for student accommodation?
Time is of the essence when it comes to seeking and booking student accommodation in the UK. You shouldn’t take this lightly, and we advise you to keep it on a priority list. Most students think that it’s always available and end up with student housing apartments in the UK that are unsatisfactory!
To avoid this misfortune, start searching two-three months before your study journey in the UK. With a high surge in demand, there are students ahead of you in seeking that perfect student home in the UK.
- Arrange for house viewing
Whether you are in the UK or your home country, there’s a way to get an accommodation tour. You can request for a virtual or physical house tour. This will ease your mind knowing that you have selected the safe, secure and best accommodation.
Cost of student accommodation across major cities in the UK
It’s always a good idea to understand the cost of rent in the major student cities in the UK. Here’s to give you a notion on the cost of monthly student rents in UK:
- London- £1100-1500
- Oxford- £1100-1700
- Manchester- £860-1100
- Birmingham- £700-1200
- Edinburgh- £700-1000
- Brighton- £800-1300
- Glasgow- £ 800-1000
- Portsmouth- £422
How to find off campus student accommodation in the UK ?
Most of the universities usually list the verified providers of private student accommodation in the UK. So, you can always seek the assistance of your university to guide you in finding Nottingham student accommodation or other cities in the UK.
Then, there are student housing provider platforms listing local student housing in your preferred area.
You can also check out or seek assistance from student groups on many social media platforms.
How to book accommodation in the UK for Indian students?
To get the best deal and cheapest accommodation in the UK for international students, head out to our booking section. Our platform University Living lists out the best, secure, safest and only verified properties. They come in at student-budget-friendly prices than any other platform. So, to book one, you can contact us and get all the details through our student accommodation experts who will guide and help you with the start-to-end process of booking your student accommodation.
Fees and Requirements to apply for student accommodation in the UK
Extra Fee
The rent and other extra fee will depend upon the type of accommodation. The best part is it’s not set in stone, so you can negotiate the price. You may have to pay a one-time payment for the amenities and services provided by the accommodation. It’s recommended that you ask about the extra fees, their cost and inclusive details like utility bills too.
Security Deposits
The landlords are entitled to security deposits from the tenant. So, you will have to pay a one-time security deposit of about £400 in London City, while in Birmingham, it will range around £250. This will vary and differ depending on the city in which you plan to study and live in the UK.
As for Scotland, it is illegal to take a holding of the rent.
UK Guarantor
Having a guarantor guarantees you a home as they are your safety net! A guarantor takes responsibility on your behalf in terms of rent and other responsibilities. So, this eases the mind of the landlord and the tenant at the same time.
What are the documents required to apply for student accommodation in UK?
If you want to apply for student accommodation in the UK in 2024, arrange these documents below:
- Passport and student visa
- Proof of home country address
- Proof of finance to study and live in UK
- University acceptance of offer letter
- Proof of a guarantor
End note
We hope the above-listed tips for securing the right student accommodation will be of great help to every student.
It is crucial to find an ideal student accommodation to make your academic journey smooth.
If you start early, set a realistic budget, and understand the type of property suitable for you, you can surely find the right property for you.
Good luck in finding a student home and study journey in the UK.