Where should you live at uni? What's it like sharing a kitchen? Find out here
When you’re preparing to go to uni, one of your biggest concerns will probably be what student accommodation is like.
But with more options available than you might realise, there’s a type of student accommodation out there for absolutely everyone.
So, whether you’re thinking about how to customise your new room or how to survive sharing a kitchen, we’ve grabbed some of the best advice from The Student Room and current UEA students to give you an insight into the world of student accommodation.
The types of student accommodation available
While most students will end up living in halls in the first year of uni, there are plenty of other options available if you’re not convinced it’s for you, here's what is usually available.
- University halls
This is where most uni freshers will spend their first year. Halls are generally a sociable experience, and you’ll find yourself mixing with a wide variety of people from the moment you chuck your bags in your room and bond over your first batch of vodka jelly shots.If you’re planning on moving into halls, consider a few things. Firstly, what’s your budget? Do you want to go catered or self-catered? Ensuite or shared bathroom? Quiet halls or party halls?
Whether you’re looking to hone your culinary skills, roll out of bed and into a lecture in two minutes or spend all night talking to weird and wonderful people, there will be halls to suit you.
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Private halls
Private halls are owned by someone other than the university, so you will often live with students from multiple universities. You’ll be more likely to find bigger rooms, en-suites and little mod-cons that may not be available in university halls.
They’re often a more expensive option than university halls, but you may find they’re kitted out to a more modern standard, so they’re worth considering if you’re not ready to give up your creature comforts just yet.You should apply directly to the accommodation provider for private halls, but most unis will offer advice on your application if you need it.
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Shared private house
If you’ve ever watched the show Fresh Meat, you’ll have some idea of what living in a shared house in the first year is like. This could suit you as a first-year if you’ve accepted a place through Clearing, if you’re off to uni with specific friends you’d like to live with or if you’re looking to live with fewer people.Depending on the city, it can take a while to find a student house, so allow plenty of time to avoid having to take the hovel on the other side of town.
You’ll also be dealing with a private landlord and sorting your own bills, so make sure you’re prepared to do a bit of extra admin. Also, think about how you’ll find your new housemates – SpareRoom, Gumtree, and even student-specific Facebook groups can be good places to start.
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Living at home
If you’re going to a local uni, you may be considering living at home. An extra year of a full fridge, having your washing done and paying no rent! But, equally, another year of being nagged to tidy your room, trying to be quiet when you get in after Sports Nite, and a longer commute to those painful 9am lectures
Living at home sometimes makes it trickier to socialise, as you’ll probably live a little further from uni and won’t be around for spontaneous plans. You may also start to crave your freedom when you see the Snapchat stories from the crazy night out you had to leave early. But on the plus side, you’ll save a fortune and will always have a quiet space to study – and you can always crash on someone’s floor if there’s a big night out planned.
Picking the right accommodation for you
Everyone has different priorities, so think about what’s important to you when you’re choosing where to live.
For instance, do you want somewhere close to uni? Do you want catered or self-catered accommodation? How are the transport links? How many people are you happy to live with? Do you want peace and quiet, or a bit of a party vibe?
And don’t forget to think about the local area; whether you want to be near a supermarket, a gym, the bars or a park, make sure you check out what’s around, or be prepared to fork out for the bus every day.
The Student Room member Jonah Ramone shares some wisdom: “How much you pay will affect the quality of the room, the food served (if in catered) and even how well the walls deal with external sounds, like drunk students getting home late at night…”
Claiming your space
Lots of people worry about sharing a bathroom and kitchen at uni, but it’s not as bad as you might be expecting.
Just remember that storage space will likely be limited in the communal areas, and there is the possibility of sharing with a housemate who helps themselves to your fancy face scrub, as TSR member RickF1 explains.
“Try not to leave anything in the bathroom, like your shampoo. Instead, get a toiletry bag and keep all your bits in there so nobody can steal them!”.
You’ll likely also end up with loads of identical IKEA woks, frying pans and bowls, so try not to take more than you really need - how often will you really use that lemon squeezer?
But remember, if you really find the idea of sharing a bathroom unbearable, there’s always en-suite accommodation available.
It’ll be more expensive, but you will have peace of mind that you’ll have your own space and at least there won’t be a queue for the shower in the morning…
Making yourself at home
Some students like to bring familiar items from home to make their room feel more homely, but moving into your new uni room is also a great opportunity for a fresh start.
A good place to start is with lighting – it’s amazing what a lamp or some casually-scattered fairy lights will do for your room’s cosy-factor.
Extra blankets and cushions can also help make your bed extra snug, and dotting a plant or two about can really bring a student room to life.
You could also print some photos to put up around your room – they’ll be a great talking point with your new friends – or get extra creative like TSR member Kindred.
"I had a big pin board in my uni room which I covered in black felt with coloured ribbon going down it.
"I then pinned photos to the ribbon, which was nice as it was something I’d made but also showed off pictures that were special to me.”
Shared living etiquette
Navigating the pitfalls of shared student accommodation can be tricky at first, but there are some simple things to remember that will make student life easier.
For starters, try to be considerate of who you’re living with, unlike TSR member Deutsch_Beth’s flatmate:
“We have a flatmate who steals our food, talks loudly on the phone at 4am and makes a complete mess of the kitchen but doesn't clear it up for days. She is the flatmate from hell!”
Use this as a good place to start; try to refrain from throwing an impromptu party in the middle of the night, leaving mounds of washing up festering in the sink for days or stealing your flatmate’s smoothie from the fridge. Food is precious (and expensive) when you’re living on a student budget!
Equally, if you have an issue with one of your flatmates, the best thing to do is to talk to them directly – that means no passive-aggressive notes or angry messages to the flat WhatsApp group.
Hopefully then you’ll have a more positive living experience like TSR member xoxAngel_Kxox:
“Our flat was like a family. We cooked, watched TV, went out, ordered food shopping together, gossiped until all hours of the morning... it was amazing. But, like any family, we still argued of course!”
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