Choosing student accommodation

It’s time to think about where you’re going to live while at uni, and there are a few options available to you. Whether you want to move away from home, or stay at home and commute, we’ve got you covered with all the information you’ll need.

University halls

Many universities offer accommodation in their halls for all first-year students. Often, if you’ve received an unconditional firm or conditional firm offer from your first-choice uni, you’ll get the opportunity to apply for accommodation first. But make sure you check with your chosen uni to find out what their policy is, as well as their application process.

There are enormous benefits to living in university halls when you’re a first-year student. It’s a ‘safe’ way to get used to living away from home. Plus, you’ll get extra support from your university’s accommodation team. It’s also a great way to meet and get to know new people as soon as you arrive.

Living with lots of other students will mean it’s likely to be noisy at times. If you think this will be an issue for you, check with your university as some will have quieter blocks for those who would prefer to live somewhere less rowdy.

Practically all student halls have shared kitchens (although you may be able to opt for catered halls), so be prepared for what that may entail.

Check out Solent's halls of residence to give you an idea of what to expect

Private student halls

As well as university-owned halls, there’s also the option to live in private student halls. These are much the same as uni halls, but are owned and managed by a private company.

They can be more expensive than uni-managed halls. And because they’re managed privately, make sure to check your contract and cancellation policy, and also what your rent actually covers so you don’t get any surprise bills at the end of term.

If you’re studying in a city that has more than one university, you’ll probably find that you’ll be sharing with people who don’t go to your uni. Be sure to check where they’re located, too. Like uni-managed halls, some may be right near your main campus, others may be across the city.

If you want to live in private student halls, ask your chosen uni – they’ll have a list of those nearby.

Renting in the private sector

If you don't want to live in halls in your first year, you can look for shared private accommodation, or rent a room as a lodger in a private house with a resident landlord. It’s probably a good idea to keep this in mind anyway, as you’ll likely be needing to think about renting privately in your second year.

Check with your chosen university for a list of properties that have been vetted by them as suitable for students. For example, Solent University, in partnership with the University of Southampton and Southampton City Council, has an online directory.

Remember that renting privately means you have to consider things like paying bills (as these are unlikely to be covered in your rent), tenancy agreements and deposits. Shelter has a good guide on what to look out for when renting privately, as does Solent:

Read Solent’s private sector accommodation information

Living at home

Of course, you could be studying at a university near to where you live and decide to live at home. This will inevitably save you a ton of money on rent, even if your parent/carer does ask for something towards your keep.

Living at home is a fantastic way to save money, and many students are now choosing this as their preferred option – meaning you won’t be alone. Being out of the student halls also means you’ll meet friends in different ways. As well as getting to know your classmates, have a look at joining clubs or societies where you’ll meet people who share a common interest and still get a taste of student life. Check out our article, Commuter student life to learn more about this.