Finding Student Accommodation in the UK as a student

Now that you’ve finally secured admission to the UK, what is the next thing to do as an international student? Are you thinking of student accommodation? Yes, you are right! The next step after successfully securing admission into the UK is securing a place to stay when you finally resume your studies.

Typically, international students, especially those who haven’t been to the UK or have relatives or friends there, find it hard to secure accommodation. To address this, we’ve provided a detailed guide for finding student accommodation in the UK as an international student. Without wasting much of your time, let’s dive into it!

Budgeting For Student Accommodation In The UK

Before exploring different alternatives to securing accommodation in the UK, you’ll first need to set up your budget. Depending on the type, location, and duration of the contract, the prices of student accommodation in the UK vary. Therefore, when planning on finding accommodation, work with your budget and follow the necessary tips to secure one.

Nevertheless, the estimated cost of accommodation in the UK lies between £100-£200 per week, £400-£600 per month and £6,500-£8,000 per year. It’s worth noting that school hostels or accommodations are quite cheaper than private accommodations. This estimate provides insight into how much to budget when looking forward to securing a student hostel in the UK.

Here is a general overview of housing expenditures in the United Kingdom. Take note and have a budget for them before relocating!

Read Also: UK Visa Fee For 2024

Housing Expenditures

• Rent Expenditures
• Utilities Expenditures
• Transport Expenditures
• Household Furnishing Expenses, etc.

Finding Student Accommodation In The UK

The UK boasts a commendable array of accommodation options catering to students’ diverse needs. Regardless of student preference, here is a detailed insight into the various options to secure accommodation in the UK as a student:

1. School-Provided Accommodations

Most schools in the UK, especially universities, provide school accommodation for international students, eliminating the stress of looking for accommodation. To secure school accommodation, students will have to book one through the institution’s official channels. It’s worth noting that school accommodations are limited to certain numbers of students; hence, students who book early have a high chance of securing one.

In addition, many students, both international and domestic, prioritize going for school accommodation for a variety of reasons, which include:

1. It’s cheaper compared to other forms of accommodation.
2. They are relatively secure.
3. Ease and quick access to information or updates.
4. Easy access to study materials like the school library
5. Closeness to classrooms
6. And so on!

2. Private Accommodation or Apartment

Here is another alternative for Nigerians and other international students looking forward to securing accommodation in the UK. Private accommodation or apartments are an alternative option for international students, particularly for those looking for a private place to live. 

Depending on the area you prefer, there are tons of private accommodations/apartments to book in the UK. Since you are not currently in the UK, finding private student accommodation may pose a challenge. However, different channels are offering easy access to secure accommodation. Consider joining student accommodation agents in the UK on social platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. Alternatively, you can utilize online UK accommodation sites such as RentGuarantor, AmberStudent, SpareRoom, Rightmove Student Accommodation, StudentPad and so on.

3. Using Spareroom ~ Ask Fellow Students In Class

The last alternative, especially for those who are not financially capable, is to use a fellow student’s spare room. This is one of the best alternatives to securing accommodation in the UK. Most people who offer their spare rooms do so at a 0% charge. That is, you are likely to pay nothing when you consider using a fellow student’s spare room. 

To secure a spare room, all you have to do is massage your classmates and ask if they have a spare room they are willing to give out. Alternatively, you can use sites like SpareRoom.co.uk to easily secure a spare room in the UK.

Popular Student Cities In The UK

As an international student moving to the UK, there are a total of 76 cities to choose from. But your choice depends on the location of your school and how far you want to be from it. Nevertheless, here is a list of the popular student cities in the UK. Notably, this list is based on student ranking on StudentCrowd. So let’s get started!

Cities	Universities In The City
Liverpool	University of Liverpool Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool Hope University
Newcastle	Newcastle University  Northumbria University
Sheffield	The University of Sheffield  Sheffield Hallam University
Belfast	Ulster University Queen’s University Belfast St Mary’s University College  Stranmillis University College
Leeds	Leeds Beckett University Leeds Trinity University University of Leeds Leeds Arts University  Leeds Conservatoire.
Nottingham	Nottingham Trent University (NTU)  The University of Nottingham
Glasgow	University of Glasgow University of Strathclyde Glasgow Caledonian University Glasgow School of Art Royal Conservatoire of Scotland  University of the West of Scotland
Southampton	University of Southampton  Solent University
Birmingham	University of Birmingham Aston University Birmingham City University University College Birmingham  Birmingham Newman University
Bristol	UWE Bristol  University of Bristol

In Conclusion

There you have it! A comprehensive guide to finding student accommodation in the UK. It’s important to understand this process before you begin looking for accommodation. Overall, when considering accommodation in the UK as a student, consider the option that meets your budget. This is going to determine the kind of accommodation you can find in the UK. That means a low budget will get you less convenient accommodation, while a high budget can get you something better.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of student accommodation are available for international students?

There are two types of accommodation in the UK for an international student. This option includes school-owned hostels and private hostels or apartments. An alternative method to these two is to consider a spare room. However, this alternative isn’t full-time guaranteed. 

Is it better to stay in a school hostel or a private hostel/apartment?

Well, both option have their benefit and shortcomings. School hostels are known to provide benefits such as security, accessibility and more. On the other hand, private hostels and apartments are known to provide privacy, freedom, and more. Hence, depending on your preference and budget, either one is good to stay in.

Can international students apply for School student accommodation?

Yes, international students are generally eligible to apply for student accommodation. However, availability may vary, so it’s important to apply early. To secure a bed space, visit the school’s official website and follow the necessary steps to secure a space. 

How do I find private student accommodation in the UK?

There are different methods to acquiring private accommodation in the UK as a student. However, the most popular method is the use of online websites such as RentGuarantor, AmberStudent, SpareRoom, and so on. Other methods include utilizing social media channels such as Facebook WhatsApp and so on.