So you’ve decided to leave your home country and come study abroad - that’s great! There are over 4.3 million people worldwide who decide to study abroad, so you’re in good company. You’re about to embark on a whirlwind adventure and open yourself up to a world of opportunities and make some amazing memories. But first thing’s first - where are you going to live?
One of the most important parts of studying abroad is choosing the place you’ll call home. There are so many different kinds of student accommodation to choose from and it can be a challenging decision to make. But don’t worry, we’ve made a quick and easy guide to student accommodation to make the process easier, so read on to learn more.
1) University Halls of Residence (usually managed by your University)
The university you’ll be studying at will be able to offer halls for you to live in. Halls are basically big apartments you share with a bunch of other students who also attend your university.
University halls are located close to campus and they’re managed by the university instead of a landlord. Sometimes you may have an en suite bathroom and your own bedroom along with a shared kitchen and living area, but some don’t have en suites and instead have a shared bathroom.
They can be a good way to meet other people from your university or course, and you don’t need to worry about bill payments. But with university halls, you don’t get to choose who you’ll be living with and run the risk of living with people you don’t have much in common with. There are also no guarantees when it comes to university halls and you might not get placed in the halls you originally wanted to go to.
2) Private Student Halls (managed by private companies specialising in student accommodation)
Private halls are similar to university halls but are oftentimes a lot more comfortable. With these, you also get your own room and an en suite if you choose one, but the kitchen and living area will be communal.
Lots have bills included as an option as well as internet provided. They often have facilities such as laundry and a gym on site and great communal areas for you to meet other students in the building. You will also get the chance to meet other study abroad students to connect with too.
If you like your privacy, you can also choose a studio flat which will cost a little more than shared halls but the whole space is yours and yours alone.
These halls are also well located and easy to travel to, and some may allow you to choose who you want to live with too.
3) Shared Housing (provided by private letting agents & landlords)
You may decide that student halls aren’t for you and that’s totally fine! You could always go into shared housing instead. Shared housing is when you choose between a flat or house and live there with a few other students, usually four or five others.
This is the option many second or third year students go with, and it allows you to choose who you want to live with. If you’re studying abroad you can often find other incoming students through Facebook groups, or people you may already know, to share a house with.
You also get more control over where you want to live, but you may end up a little further out from town depending on your price range. But in most cities, the transport links are very efficient, which is one of the main features to consider when choosing your home. Rent may be cheaper in a shared housing situation, but you may also have to take care of your own bills, TV license and Internet.
Making the Choice
Choosing student accommodation is different for everyone and it’s a personal decision to make. There’s no right or wrong choice and they all have their own benefits. Think about your budget and what you want to get from your living situation. Before long you’ll be happy and settled in your new home!
Need help choosing your student accommodation? Check out our housing guide to learn more and see how we can help!
