Things to consider when choosing accommodation

You have received your offer letter, and now is the time to consider booking your accommodation.

Here are four things to consider before choosing:

- Location
- Price
- Accommodation Type
- On-Site Facilities

Location
Do you want to live close to your campus/faculty building? City centre? Supermarket? You may be lucky and find a place that is close to everything. However, you will likely have to prioritise what you want to be close to.

Price
It’s important to know that accommodation prices vary from city to city. I found using the Budget Calculator on UCAS to calculate costs very useful. It gave me a rough idea of how much things may cost.

Rent and utilities (electric/gas, water, internet) make up the costs. For some accommodations, rent and utilities are part of the overall payment. Make sure to check the contract length as well. Do you want to pay extra to stay over Summer?

Accommodation Type
There are quite a few accommodations types to consider. You can choose from University Halls, Shared Flat/House, or Studio Apartment.

For the Halls and Shared Flat/House option, you share the kitchen and, depending on the accommodation, the bathroom/s too. Do you want your own kitchen and bathroom? Having a studio flat may be your best option.

On-Site Facilities
With a budget in mind and an idea of what type of accommodation you would like, the next set of things to consider is the on-site facilities.

Wi-Fi - Fast and reliable internet comes with the expense of paying a little extra compared to other accommodations.

Laundry Rooms - Most accommodation has them. A thing to consider is how many washing machines there are. With a small laundry room, you may have to think about the time to get your washing done.

Gym – Access to an on-site gym offers convenience and saves you from paying for a gym membership.

Communal Social Space – If you want to socialise and meet new people. An accommodation that offers a game room and cinema may entice you.

Still unsure about how to choose? You can get a hold of your chosen university’s accommodation team for help and guidance.

Hope this helps,

- Jesse 😄