Mature student (21) uni accommodation

Hi,

I am hoping to study dentistry next year 2025. I will be 21 when beginning the course. What would be the best accommodation to choose as a mature student who hasn't been to uni before? Also, from experience are there many mature students who live in halls? If so what was your experience like? Any help would be appreciated :smile:

Thank you

(edited 12 months ago)

Reply 1

Uni of Southampton Students

Official Rep

Hi @user87464739 😄

I lived in halls for my first year, and in my experience there were quite a few mature students who lived there too, including one in my flat. As a non-mature student, I didn't think much about it and didn't treat them any differently than I did my other flatmates.

Saying this, it's all about your comfort, and what you wish to get out of your accommodation. If you want to make friends with your flatmates and don't mind them being slightly younger than you, then I would say university halls of residence is the most common and easy option. However, if you'd rather more privacy, then you could find a studio apartment, whether private or sometimes with certain university halls they also have studio apartments to rent. I would definitely research the accommodation options in the area you will be studying and maybe try to talk to the accommodation team at the university.

Wish you well,
Jen (UoS student rep)

Reply 2

Celeste_S4633

Original post by user87464739

Hi,
I am hoping to study dentistry next year 2025. I will be 21 when beginning the course. What would be the best accommodation to choose as a mature student who hasn't been to uni before? Also, from experience are there many mature students who live in halls? If so what was your experience like? Any help would be appreciated :smile:

Thank you

I think student halls are the most common accommodation choice for first year students, so there could be a lot of 18 year olds there so it depends if you feel comfortable becoming friends with 18 year olds. But of course not all will be 18 year olds and I think there’s nothing wrong with 18 and 21 year old friendships. If you don’t mind that, then student halls are a great choice for first year students because the communal living area helps you form friendships with the people in your hall floor, but you still get your own private room and bathroom.
I’d advise the student halls if so. They’re usually close to the university too which is handy and because there will be other new starters you feel might more included and comfortable.

Reply 3

user87464739

Original post by Uni of Southampton Students

Hi @user87464739 😄
I lived in halls for my first year, and in my experience there were quite a few mature students who lived there too, including one in my flat. As a non-mature student, I didn't think much about it and didn't treat them any differently than I did my other flatmates.
Saying this, it's all about your comfort, and what you wish to get out of your accommodation. If you want to make friends with your flatmates and don't mind them being slightly younger than you, then I would say university halls of residence is the most common and easy option. However, if you'd rather more privacy, then you could find a studio apartment, whether private or sometimes with certain university halls they also have studio apartments to rent. I would definitely research the accommodation options in the area you will be studying and maybe try to talk to the accommodation team at the university.
Wish you well,
Jen (UoS student rep)

Thanks so much for your reply , very helpful!☺️

Reply 4

user87464739

Original post by Uni of Southampton Students

Hi @user87464739 😄
I lived in halls for my first year, and in my experience there were quite a few mature students who lived there too, including one in my flat. As a non-mature student, I didn't think much about it and didn't treat them any differently than I did my other flatmates.
Saying this, it's all about your comfort, and what you wish to get out of your accommodation. If you want to make friends with your flatmates and don't mind them being slightly younger than you, then I would say university halls of residence is the most common and easy option. However, if you'd rather more privacy, then you could find a studio apartment, whether private or sometimes with certain university halls they also have studio apartments to rent. I would definitely research the accommodation options in the area you will be studying and maybe try to talk to the accommodation team at the university.
Wish you well,
Jen (UoS student rep)

Hi, do you usually attend university open days the year before you intend to study or the year you begin the course?