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Private Student Accommodation vs University Halls?

Hi everyone,

I’m starting university this September and I’m trying to decide between university halls and private student accommodation, and I’d really appreciate some advice from anyone who’s experienced both.

I’ll be 23 when I start, so I’m slightly older than most first-year students. I’m mainly looking at Cardiff and Southampton as my top choices. Because of my age, I’m leaning towards somewhere a bit nicer and more comfortable. Ideally I’d like an en-suite room, a decent-sized bedroom (preferably with a double bed), and a shared flat with a smaller number of people rather than a huge flat.

Private accommodation seems to offer much nicer rooms and facilities, but I worry it might feel less social and that it could be harder to make friends compared with traditional university halls. On the other hand, some university halls look quite basic and I’m not sure I’d enjoy going back to a very small or dated room at this stage.

I’m basically trying to find the balance between somewhere that’s comfortable to live in but still social enough to meet people.

For anyone who’s lived in private student accommodation or university halls, especially if you started university a bit older, what was your experience like? Did you find it easy to make friends in private accommodation, or do university halls make a big difference socially?

Any honest advice would be massively appreciated.

Thanks!

Reply 1

University of Strathclyde Student Ambassador

Official Rep

Original post

by alex.strain

Hi everyone,
I’m starting university this September and I’m trying to decide between university halls and private student accommodation, and I’d really appreciate some advice from anyone who’s experienced both.
I’ll be 23 when I start, so I’m slightly older than most first-year students. I’m mainly looking at Cardiff and Southampton as my top choices. Because of my age, I’m leaning towards somewhere a bit nicer and more comfortable. Ideally I’d like an en-suite room, a decent-sized bedroom (preferably with a double bed), and a shared flat with a smaller number of people rather than a huge flat.
Private accommodation seems to offer much nicer rooms and facilities, but I worry it might feel less social and that it could be harder to make friends compared with traditional university halls. On the other hand, some university halls look quite basic and I’m not sure I’d enjoy going back to a very small or dated room at this stage.
I’m basically trying to find the balance between somewhere that’s comfortable to live in but still social enough to meet people.
For anyone who’s lived in private student accommodation or university halls, especially if you started university a bit older, what was your experience like? Did you find it easy to make friends in private accommodation, or do university halls make a big difference socially?
Any honest advice would be massively appreciated.
Thanks!

heya! (:

I started university commuting, so didnt have the flatmate experience really at all for the first year - i found there still to be tons of oppourtunities on campus to meet new people; lots of different soceities, sports and just random fun events to go to 😊 - would reccomend having a look to see about anything like that you'd maybe be interested in - also lots of uni's have mature student societies or wee social areas (:

I know with my uni we have a mature students common room - just gives another place on campus, specifically so mature students can meet other people in the same position, study & chill!

in my seccond year id moved into a private accom, still very closeby to the university, id shared my kitchen with 5 other people, i was 19, one girl a year young than me and the others were 21+, it was definetly a bit quieter than some other ppls flats i knew but still closeby enough where if i wanted a night out i could do that (: - I found that option to be pretty good for me, equally could be worth getting in touch with student accom and seeing if they have options for quiter halls or have any options for grouping other slightly older students together 😊

Also socially, worth having a look around the local area for things going on - one of my flatmates was in a running club nearby and had some friends shed made through that, lots of oppourtunities especially in bigger cities for activities!

hope this helps a bit with your decision (:

Emily
Year 3, Chemistry
Official University Of Strathclyde Rep

(edited 1 month ago)