Student Accommodation United Kingdom

Student Accommodation in UK

The United Kingdom, home to a wide range of prestigious universities, is a perfect and suitable country for studying abroad. Numerous international students come here to pursue higher education each year. This inevitably results in a competitive United Kingdom accommodation market that makes it a little difficult to find high-quality student accommodation in the UK. However, with uhomes.com having serviced 100,000+ students globally, it is effortless to find and book the best and cheapest student accommodation in the United Kingdom and any other countries. There is a wide selection of UK accommodation options, such as studios, en-suites, and 1-bedroom apartments. Every student housing UK is fully equipped with basic amenities and enough communal spaces, close to your destination university. Book student apartments in the UK through uhomes.com, and you will enjoy the highest cashback, inclusive utility bills and 1-on-1 property experts.

About the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom consists of 4 parts: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is situated in the British Isles, in the northwest of the European continent. London is its capital. The education sector here has evolved over thousands of years and is extremely well-developed now. Even during the pandemic, more than 155,000 international students chose the UK as the destination country for studying. UCAS predicts that 1 million people will apply to UK universities by 2026, an increase of around 27% in 2021.

What attracts so many overseas students to study in the UK? Its famous educational institutions are thought of first and foremost, such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, UCL, etc. What's more, international students also benefit from the friendly and practical support services offered by many universities, like orientation programs, grants and scholarships, and cultural exchange opportunities.

In addition, university life is exciting and colourful in the UK, with diverse festivals, art exhibitions, and historical attractions. Plus, if you find affordable accommodation UK a stone's throw from your university, you will have an incredible time in the United Kingdom.

However, securing the perfect student accommodation in the UK requires a clear understanding of a market that can be quite different from what students might expect in the US or Europe. Whether you are looking for private housing or purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), it's important to familiarise yourself with key aspects like utility bills, guarantors, and taxes to avoid unexpected costs. Another crucial consideration is tenancy length, which typically ranges from 44 weeks to 51 weeks, depending on your housing choice.

Tenancy Lengths: 44 Weeks vs. 51 Weeks

UK student contracts are typically fixed-term. You will usually choose between a 44-week contract (covering the academic year, excluding summer) or a 51-week contract (full year).

• Tip: If you plan to stay for summer internships or a Master's dissertation, a 51-week contract prevents the hassle of moving out in July. Note that unlike standard rentals, you often cannot exit these contracts early without finding a replacement tenant.

All-Inclusive Bills: Managing Your Budget

A major advantage of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) is the "All-Inclusive" utility package. This typically covers water, electricity, gas, heating, and high-speed Wi-Fi in your weekly rent.

• Comparison: In private residential lets (renting a house from a landlord), bills are rarely included. You may need to budget an extra £50-£100 per month per person and manage provider contracts yourself.

Council Tax Exemption

Good news for full-time students: You are generally exempt from paying Council Tax.

• Action Required: This is not automatic. You must obtain a "Student Status Letter" from your university registry and submit it to the local council to claim your exemption. Note: If you live with non-students, the property may still be liable for a portion of the tax.

The Guarantor System

Most UK landlords and agencies require a UK-based Guarantor (a homeowner in the UK) to secure your tenancy if you wish to pay rent in instalments.

• Solution: If you do not have a UK guarantor, you typically have two options: pay the full year's rent upfront, or use a qualified Guarantor Service (like Housing Hand) for a fee. At uhomes, our consultants can guide you through these requirements to ensure a smooth booking process.

Top Cities with Best Universities and Student Flats in the UK

There are many cities with famous universities and affordable student apartments in the UK, including London, Edinburgh, Manchester, and many more.

• London

London is the capital of England and the largest city in the UK. You can enjoy a wide range of educational, recreational, dining, and shopping options in London. Meanwhile, with rich culture and vibrant history, there are many tourist attractions for you to explore. As for the accommodation in London, it would be wise to rent a student accommodation at a cheaper price with the help of uhomes.com. In this way, you can save money and enjoy your British life better! On weekends or holidays, you can travel to the surrounding cities, like Reading, Oxford, and Southampton, via convenient transportation.

• Manchester

Manchester, the third biggest city in the UK, is famous for its rich history, beautiful architecture, and musical tradition. The city has a concentrated student culture, with its 3 universities clustered together. Students studying in Manchester could benefit from the convenient transportation and student-friendly vibe of the "university village".

• Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, where you can immerse yourself in the blend of natural beauty and bustling city life. Your university life will never be boring, with meaningful historical landmarks, contemporary art galleries, and cool pubs.

• Belfast

Belfast is one of the most student-friendly cities in the UK, with low costs of living, vibrant nightlife, top attractions, and a beautiful coast.

Best Universities in the UK

As we all know, the UK boasts many well-known universities. Some of them are listed below. These universities also host various events and offer many job opportunities to students. Students can take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about the diverse British culture and get a job smoothly after graduation. When it comes to accommodation UK, choose from the student flats UK close to your university for an easy commute.

• Student Accommodation near University of Cambridge
• Student Housing near University of Oxford
• Student Flat near Imperial College London
• Student Apartment near UCL
• Student House near University of Edinburgh
• Student Home near University of Manchester

Recommended Student Accommodation in the United Kingdom

Some first-year students choose to live in the on-campus student accommodation UK offered by the university, but most would like to rent a UK student house near the university from the second year. This is where uhomes.com comes into play. It can help you find the most suitable housing in United Kingdom—cheap or luxurious, private or shared; we have all types of UK accommodation options to fulfil your needs. On uhomes.com, all student apartments UK have basic amenities, brand-new appliances, security measures, and friendly services, such as study rooms, gyms, bike storage spaces, laundry facilities, CCTV surveillance, cleaning services, and many more. Here are some of our popular student flats in the UK:

• Chapter Spitalfields: Chapter Spitalfields is a student-friendly accommodation in London UK, with its rent starting from £411/week. This convenient student housing in England has various room types, including studios, non-en-suites, and 1-bedroom apartments. It is close to many famous universities in London, such as King's College London and City University of London.
• East Central House: East Central House provides studios and en-suites for students studying in London. You can only pay £349 per week to rent it, one of the most affordable UK apartments. What's more, it is in the vicinity of many prestigious universities, such as UCL, King's College London, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.
• iQ Elgin Place: iQ Elgin Place, a student housing in Glasgow UK, is within a 10-minute walk from University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University, and the University of Strathclyde. This cheap student accommodation in United Kingdom offers studios and en-suites at a reasonable price, with the cheapest one only at £251/week.
• Horizon Heights: Horizon Heights is a modern UK student accommodation with a short walking distance of the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University. The accommodation provides studios and en-suites. As one of the cheapest UK student houses, it has the lowest rent of £162/week.
• Vita Student Telephone House: Living in Vita Student Telephone House, a student accommodation in Sheffield UK, it is effortless to commute to the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University. This convenient student accommodation in the UK has studios and multi-bedroom apartments. Book it now from £160/week! 

Cost of Living in the UK

The average cost of living in the UK ranges from £1,500 to £2,500 per month. There is no doubt that the price of United Kingdom accommodation is the biggest part when evaluating the budget. In fact, the costs of student apartments in the UK vary greatly based on the city and location. For example, a student apartment in London costs around £800—£1000+ per month, while that in Bristol is only £600—£850 per month. However, the educational institutions and life experiences in London are better than in Bristol. Therefore, you need to strike a balance between the living expenses and potential benefits. The other costs apart from the UK accommodation rent are listed below.