What you need to know about student housing

Settling in at university is crucial to your overall student experience, so make an informed choice as to which accommodation option best fits in with your budget and lifestyle

STUDENT ACCOMMODATION AT A GLANCE

· You can choose to live on Campus, Off-Campus or at home. · When deciding on where to live, get advice from family and friends and try to attend accommodation open days. · Carefully research the costs and benefits of each option before making a decision.

· Start your accommodation application once you've accepted a place on a course.

To make the move go as smooth as possible, it's worth investigating where you could be living, and which type of accommodation would be most suitable for your needs.

Discover your options

Choosing where you are going to live is one of the most exciting and important decisions you will make at university. You can usually start your accommodation application once you've accepted an offer on a course, but check with your university for details of the process. It's always wise to do a little research and you should start this as early as possible.

In general, there are 3 main options. You can live:

• In university-managed accommodation (On-Campus Housing);

• In privately with other students in a privately rented house (Off-Campus Housing);

• at home.

On-Campus Housing

On Campus Housing are large blocks of flats housing hundreds of students, with individual furnished bedrooms organized around corridors or apartments with a shared kitchen. In some cases, bathrooms are also shared.

They are usually managed by the university or in partnership with a private company, and the quality is generally good as they have to comply with national codes.

Privately owned halls of residence offer all the benefits of halls, but are not linked to the university - you book a room directly with the specific halls you're interested in - and most have easy online booking systems.

Many universities guarantee a place in halls for full-time first-year students and international postgraduates, as long as you meet application deadlines. However, this will vary between institutions.

Halls are especially popular among new students who are living away from home for the first time, Utilities are usually included, so you know exactly what you are budgeting for, and it's easy to arrange your application by applying directly to the university - normally online.'

As they're typically located on or near campus, living in halls puts you at the center of student life. It's a great way to make friends and to get involved in social activities. While your bedroom may be small, all the facilities you need are usually on-site, and the university accommodation team is on hand when it comes to maintenance.

A number of universities also provide catered accommodation. This is worth considering if you don't feel ready or able to cook for yourself, though it will increase the cost of your rent.

However, in return for the convenience of halls, you may find yourself paying more than you would in a private house or flat. You don't get to choose who you live with - which can make things tricky if you don't get on with others in your flat - and with so much going on, halls aren't the place to be if you value peace and quiet.

Off-Campus Housing

You may prefer to live in a privately rented house. This is the path followed by most students from the second year onwards, but also by some first years.

One advantage is getting to choose who you live with (for second-year students this usually means moving in with friends made in first year), which can make for a better experience.

Another benefit is that you'll have more choice over where to live. You'll be further from campus, but the popular student areas of most university cities are served by good transport links, as well as lots of shops, bars and food outlets.

Living at home

For many people, leaving home - and the feeling of freedom that brings - is one of the key attractions of going to university.

But if you've chosen to study locally, staying at home can be a great alternative. It saves money on rent and bills, is convenient, and you'll avoid the stress of moving out to live with new people.

However, you'll be further removed from student life, and it may be more difficult to make friends away from the social hub of halls or a student house.

Making your decision

This isn't an easy choice to make, so get advice from as many sources as possible. Family and friends who have been to university before are a good starting point.

'Many universities, invite you to attend applicant days ahead of the start of term, where you can meet other students and take a look at some of the local rental properties available.