How does uni accommodation work?

Shared accommodation such as private student housing and halls of residence can help you make friends with like-minded people who are in the same boat as you and are sharing the same student journey. 

Students can opt for different types of uni accommodation, typically halls of residence or private accommodation. Uni rooms tend to come in various shapes and sizes including studio, ensuite and non-ensuite, as well as shared rooms. 

If you are thinking about going to university but you are unsure about what kind of university accommodation options there are, it’s important to do your research before making any big decisions.

There are different types of student accommodation that students can choose between when deciding where to live at university. 

One form of uni accommodation is halls of residence, which is probably the most popular form of accommodation for first year students coming to university. Halls of residence are similar to flats and offer fully-furnished bedrooms, potentially with an ensuite bathroom. Each student flat includes a certain number of rooms and provides some sort of communal kitchen and living area where students can cook meals together and socialise – although this varies depending on the university or accommodation site you are living in.

If you’re a first year student and able to secure a place in student halls of residence, they might be an option for you and a great way to find people you might want to share accommodation with in your second year.

Halls of residence are usually owned and operated by universities. Bills are normally included and rent paid in instalments. Due to halls of residence being provided by your university you can be assured that the location will be convenient and commuting to lectures or the university library should be relatively easy.

Another type of popular student accommodation is private student halls. This type of accommodation is not owned by a university but is owned privately by a landlord or company like Nido Living.

Bills are always included in the rent at Nido residences but they may not be in other forms of private accommodation, which is something you should consider when planning finances for university. Rent is usually paid in monthly or termly instalments, with the first payment often required before you move in.

Universities sometimes have  a list of approved private accommodation providers or you can do your own research to find a private accommodation provider – click here to see if there’s a Nido in your chosen uni city! Typically, private accommodation provides more space for students and may also offer private studios in addition to ensuite rooms in shared flats. 

Private accommodation is a great way for students to not only meet other students attending the same university but also interact with students from other universities who may be living in the same accommodation block. 

Student housing like Nido also priorities student wellbeing and community, putting on year-round events so you can make the most of your university days.

When you’re deciding which type of university accommodation is right for you, you’ll need to consider what you are looking for. This may be a private space for you to be on your own when in your accommodation, or maybe you would prefer to have access to a social space where you can mix with other like-minded students.

You should consider a variety of factors, such as how many people you’d like to live with. You can live with a larger group if this is something you’d like to be part of, or a smaller group if this would make you more comfortable. Typically you’ll have less choice at a hall of residence, but with private accommodation, like Nido Living, you can choose exactly which room you want.

When choosing what type of student accommodation you want to live in, you might also contemplate what size room you’d like and whether you want to share with other people. 

It’s also a good idea to think about whether you would prefer to live on campus or off campus, as this will help you decide whether university halls of residence or private accommodation is better suited to you. Consider any amenities you want from your accommodation, such as gym access, WiFi and study or social areas. Make sure you read up on what amenities and facilities are available at different accommodations so you know what you are getting for your money. 

There is a lot to consider when it comes to uni accommodation and understanding how it works. Be sure to do your research before committing to a student accommodation and check if your bills are included. This will provide you with money freedom to do more of the important things such as making memories to last a lifetime.

Nido Living have a range of spacious ensuite and studio rooms available in key university cities across the UK. Take a look at our virtual tours or book to see a room in person and our friendly residence teams will be happy to help! All our Nido’s are in great locations and include bills, super fast WiFi, year-round events and amazing social and study spaces. 

Click here to find out more today!