When you go abroad and study in London for the first time, most people will choose a student accommodation in London that is safe and close to your school.
After getting the offer, many students and parents are stuck in a quandary because there is a distinction between school dormitories and student flats in the UK.
So, we have summarised how to choose between university dorms and student flats from the most frequently considered factors: conditions, price and social environment.
A Head-up for Renting Requirements
First, the difference is that on-campus dormitories can only be applied through the school. But student flats can be used independently according to your needs.
In terms of management, the management of on-campus dormitories is the school. Due to the large number of applicants, the school can only guarantee that some students who apply will be allocated a dormitory.
On the other hand, student flats are managed by certified flat groups. Under the same conditions, the accommodation environment and management of the student residence are better than that of the on-campus dormitory.
The requirements for admission are the same as those of the school. That means you must be a full-time student with a student visa.
So, the management mode of the student flats is more like that of a hotel in China.
House Type
School dormitories are divided into single (shared bathroom and kitchen), ensuite (shared kitchen, with bathroom) and studio (with kitchen and bathroom).
But the interior decoration is relatively plain for student accomodation in London.
Similarly, the main types of student flats are ensuite (shared kitchen, own bathroom) and studio (own kitchen and bathroom).
But some flats also have studios with private balconies, as follows:
Living Condition
University life is quite busy, especially when it comes to finals or dissertation season. It’s not uncommon to get active and forget to clean and clear the common spaces for a few weeks.
So what kind of student services do both types of student accommodation offer?
School Dorms for Student Accommodation London
Once you move in, you must do everything yourself. Not only do you have to clean your room, but you also have to take turns on duty in the communal areas, if there are any.
In some dormitories, there are also regular checks on the usage of the rooms. If you have a lazy roommate, you’ll either have to fight with your roommate or clean up after yourself to maintain the shared kitchen.
In many dorms, the reception has very short office hours, so it is possible to lose or get the wrong delivery.
If you go back to the dormitory at night without your keys or accidentally lose your keys, you may have to spend the night in the library. Or even sleep on the street without the help of reception.
Student Apartments for Student Accomodation London
Many student flats include a full range of services at the price. Cleaning, courier. And, in some cases, breakfast and dinner are provided.
In addition, flats usually have 24-hour on-call service to solve any problems.
The living condition here is much more similar to that of a hotel.
Commute Distance
The location is also an essential factor to consider for your student accommodation in London.
If the dormitory is too far from the school, it can be painful. Very often, even if you want to study and rush to finish your paper before the deadline, you will turn back because of the long road.
If you live too far away, it isn’t easy to buy food in supermarkets or grocery stores.
When something comes up and you come home a little late, it is neither convenient nor safe. Here is an example for that.
School Dorms
Most universities in the UK do not have fixed campuses, with teaching buildings and libraries scattered around the city.
If you are choosing a dormitory, make sure you look at the map carefully to see if the dormitory is the same as the campus you are attending.
For example, the nearest hall of residence to a school’s campus in London is 1.1 miles (1.8 km) away, a 20-minute walk.
As it turns out, students who are lucky enough to be allocated a place here choose to walk to and from school. That can be reached by walking through four or five parks.
Unfortunately, students assigned to a Hall 1.7 miles (2.7 km) away mostly chose to take the bus to school.
Those assigned to a House 2.0 miles (3.2 km) away, for example, mainly take the underground or the bus.
Few of them walk because the scenery is boring and an extensive road runs through it. All these make it seem like a long walk.
Student Apartments
The location of student flats varies from good to bad. Student flats are built by property developers, who often have the best financial resources to occupy the best locations.
Whether it’s near a school or in the centre of a city, you’ll be able to find the right property.
For example, if a student flat is built next to one of the biggest shopping centres in a London borough, you can go shopping on the doorstep and order all kinds of takeaways from your bed.
In addition, many schools have flats directly opposite the front door, which are often student departments. You can walk downstairs to the school and run to your classroom in less than three minutes.
Remember, student flats may not be the cheapest but are certainly the closest.
As a friendly reminder, walking to and from school is possible in dormitories within a distance of about two miles and is not recommended for dwellings further away.
In addition to the time-consuming factor, safety issues need to be factored in – the further away from the city centre a dormitory is, the worse the neighbourhood is and the more ethnically diverse the make-up.
It is best not to walk back to your accommodation alone after 6:30 PM or even 6:00 PM in the evenings (around 7:00 PM sunset) in autumn in the UK.
Housing Prices
Studying abroad already costs a lot of money, and many students carefully calculate how to save money on student accommodation.
School Dorms
All you can do is apply for a dormitory. And the final decision is up to the school.
The school will arrange for you to be given the closest dormitory you can afford. For example, if you put 200 ensuite in your application, you will be allocated a dormitory with the appropriate conditions.
Overall, the price of a school dormitory is usually slightly lower than the market price. In addition, school dormitories offer special rates for their students.
Student Apartments
The apartment prices are higher than the market. This happens because of the longer working hours of the staff and the large number of people they serve.
In terms of internal conditions, the living environment in student flats is excellent
Of course, with the increasing competition in the student accommodation market, flats also need to lower their prices to attract students.
From time to time, flats will also offer special discounts during festivals or to cater for the start of the school year.
As long as you make sure you book at the right time, you can find a good flat at a good price.
Social Life
Apart from classrooms and libraries, dormitories and flats are great places to make friends while studying abroad.
School dormitories rely on the school’s communal facilities and are a complex environment.
As we know, UK international students come from a wide range of countries and personalities. If you’re lucky, you’ll meet like-minded people. But if not, you’ll have vociferous and unhygienic people living with you.
As for commercial student flats, you can pick a flat according to your preference. Especially if you have a small group of friends you already know, you can cook together and live more conveniently.
If you want to try to integrate a new group, you can choose your own flat where there are a lot of British students. All flats offer a social area, cinema room and so on. Most of them also organise weekly events, which is suitable for socialising.
Once you apply, it’s up to you to make your own pick on student accomodation in London.
Summary
School Dorms
Student Apartments
In conclusion, living in London comes with its many benefits and drawbacks. While dormitory-style housing may be more affordable and suitable for those on a tight budget, apartments can provide a greater sense of space, independence, and opportunity.
Ultimately, the decision to rent an apartment or live in a dormitory lies within you – take into account your financial situation, preferences for living arrangements, as well as your overall lifestyle.
