When it comes to studying in the best cities in UK, London has always been a preferred choice. While all international students are aware of the academic standards in the city, not many know about the available choices when it comes to finding student accommodation in London.
For students with any budget, London offers a home that caters to every individual's interests. But how can you find accommodation in UK for Indian students? If a student opts to stay at the university, which is the best university accommodation UK should they choose? To find an answer to all your questions, read along.
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What Are The Options For Student Accomodation In London?
The great thing about living in UK is the variety of choices available to find student accommodation in London. Based on the monetary budget, students can choose their comfort and privacy accordingly. Thus London offers four types of UK accommodation for international students, which are:
- University Halls
- Private Student Halls
- Homestays
- Private Flats
University Halls
These are one of the popular forms of housing that most first-year students opt for. Here students will have their bedrooms, but they do have to share a few spaces such as a kitchen, bathrooms or other common areas.
This type of housing is convenient, especially for students who have joined their first year at university. It is preferred to stay in university halls at the start of your academic year as you can learn more about your classmates and explore London together. Learn new cooking, shop together and build a good social relationship with other students.
Private Student Halls
Private student halls function similarly to university halls. The main difference here is that private companies take charge of student halls instead of the university taking over. Unlike university halls, students can have more privacy in private student halls. The former can even choose who they wish to share their room with.
Here as well, students will have to share spaces such as the kitchen, etc. Apart from this, students can also have their own private spaces for gardening, etc.
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Homestays
Homestays, as we all know, is sharing a room space with a family. This is proven to be a good choice, especially for students who are new to the country or wish to save up more on student accommodation in UK.
Here you can pay affordable rent and have the family take care of your belongings, provide food and cater to any other specific needs. For someone new to London, staying with a local family can help you learn more about the city and how to live within it.
Private Flats
Private flats are one of the most common housing choices, especially among international students. Students who wish to live independently choose this type of housing. Once students are acquainted with the lifestyle of London, living alone in the city becomes one of their choices.
Here students have the convenience of choosing the area they wish to live in, have a private space all to themselves, etc. Most students who plan for private housing are primarily in their second years.
How To Find Accomodation In UK For Indian Students?
You are now aware of what the are the different types of UK accommodation for international students. But with so many property choices available, how can you find the ideal one which suits your interests?
Here are four ways to locate suitable accommodation in UK for Indian students:
- Websites
- University Email
- Agencies
- Word Of Mouth
Websites
There are multiple websites online that can help you find good student accommodation in UK. To name a few are:
- Spare Room- To help find private housing options
- GumTree- To help find rental homes and furniture
- Facebook marketplaces- To help find available sharing spaces or private housing options, etc
University Email
If you choose to stay at university halls or also known as halls of residence, you will receive details about it by your dream university via email. To learn more about this, it is suggested to get in touch with your university faculty team.
Agencies
Agencies are one of the popular ways to find student accommodation in London. While they charge a high fee for their service, the former provides good housing options from the list. A few popular agencies to explore here are:
- Zoopla
- Unihomes, etc
Word Of Mouth
Another convenient way to find the right housing for you in London is via word of mouth. Speak to your classmates or a senior who knows London's available housing options. Their recommendations can help you choose a budget-friendly home more quickly.
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Top Reasons To Consider When Choosing House For Rent In UK For Students
Now that you have the list of what type of homes to choose from and how you can find them, let’s move toward the important aspects. Before you pay any house rent in UK for students, you need to consider a few pointers before making the purchase. Here are the top 5 that require your attention:
- Good Location
- Affordability
- Caters Your Needs
- Deposit Security
- Enquire
Good Location
Before you decide to live in any student accommodation in London, you need to answer the below questions:
- Is this location safe?
- What is the crime rate for this location?
- How far is this location from your university?
- How are the neighbours here?
- Is this location easily accessible when finding the nearest groceries or transport?
- Is a medical facility available near this location?, etc
Affordability
The next factor you should consider is whether the housing fits your budget. While everyone loves to live in a lavish home, not all students can afford it. There are different ways to identify your affordability, such as:
- Ensure the rent enquired fits your range
- Check if any other amount you should pay such as water bills, etc
- Make a note of your monthly expenses and the rent you should pay to see if you can survive here
- Check other affordable housing and compare the prices
- It’s fine to pay a little extra in case you find housing that is safe for you, etc
Caters Your Needs
The next step you need to consider is whether the housing you’ve chosen caters to your needs. When you find a home, there are multiple things that you wish your new student accommodation in UK should have, such as:
- Well maintained home
- Space size
- Furnished (optional)
- Budget-friendly rent
- Doesn't have any extra or hidden charges
- Simple paperwork process
- Polite house owner
- Good neighbours
- Easy commute option
- Pet-friendly, etc
Deposit Security
Deposit security is required especially when you live in any student accommodation in London. As per the Tenancy Deposit Protection, house owners should inform you where your deposit is located within 30 days. This puts you at ease that your deposit is in a safe place.
Enquire
Apart from everything listed above, you should conduct your enquiry before settling down in a new place in London. The best way to do this is:
- Speak to the residents nearby
- Ask your classmates about the area
- Explore the area details online
- Speak to alumnis who may have stayed in the same area, etc
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What Is The Cost Of Student Accomodation In UK?
There are two ways of calculating the cost of accommodation in UK for international students, Off-campus and On-campus housing.
Based on where the student prefers to stay, the cost of student accommodation in London will vary accordingly. Here is a detailed list:
- On-Campus Student Accomodation Cost
- Off-Campus Student Accommodation Cost
On-Campus Student Accomodation Cost
Most on-campus housing is provided by the university, such as halls of residence. Thus here are the related costs.
|
University Name |
Average Cost |
|
£400- £600/month (inclusive of all bills) |
|
|
£513-£764/month |
|
|
£99-£206/weekly |
|
|
£907/month |
|
|
£540/month |
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Off-Campus Student Accommodation Cost
Most of the off-campus costs are calculated based on the area you choose to live in UK. Thus here are the related costs:
|
Area Name |
Average Cost |
|
Manchester |
£148.66/per 41 weeks |
|
Coventry |
£320- £530/month |
|
Brighton (University of Sussex) |
£556- £715/month |
|
York |
£73-£238/weekly |
|
South Kensington (Imperial College of London) |
£872/month |
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Pros & Cons Of UK Accomodation For International Students
Lastly, before you can decide to choose a UK accommodation for international students, you need first to witness the pros and cons each has. Thus to give you a better understanding, refer to this table below:
- On-Campus Living
- Off-Campus Living
On-Campus Living
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
The opportunity to meet new people, learn about their cultures and make friends |
No privacy |
|
The ability to study together and clear doubts instantly |
The living spaces can be conjusted |
|
Encourage more socializations |
Wait times are more if you’re sharing any spaces such as kitchen, bathrooms, etc |
|
Eliminates the need to pay extra bills, such as electricity, etc |
More distractions with students around |
|
The rent here is much cheaper when compared to staying off-campus |
Living style is average |
Off-Campus Living
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Lets you find homes that suit your apt lifestyle |
Difficult to find the right kind of housing |
|
Encourages independent living |
The rent is expensive |
|
Provides complete privacy |
Should be attentive when paying bills especially light, electricity, etc |
|
Access to homely food (homestays) |
Most students feel homesick quite often when alone |
|
Teaches you to handle adulting responsibility |
Laundry, cooking should be done regularly and can be chaotic if delayed for weeks |
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Wrapping Up….
London has been a popular student destination for decades now. The high academic standards and affordable accommodation in UK for international students have captured the attention of the latter globally. Once you join university and make friends, finding student accommodation in UK becomes simpler. Thus, if you still wish to learn more about student accommodation in UK, our Yocket counsellors are here to help.
