Accomodation in The United Kingdom
Universities in the UK are located in a diverse range of urban environments and the cost and standard of accommodation naturally varies as well. London is considerably more expensive than anywhere else though some London institutions do endeavour to compensate for this. Some universities dominate the towns they are in, others exist at the borders of towns in almost rural settings.
Ultimately you will be responsible for arranging your accommodation but the university should be able to offer you some help and we have included links to the relevant webpages of UK universities listed on this site.
The British advise that you try and arrange your long-term accommodation before you leave home and this definitely a good idea if you are heading for a region where the rental market is tight. In the case of university based accommodation you should expect the demand to be high and make enquires as soon as possible with a view to getting on a waiting list.
Once you arrive you will usually find that the university has an accommodation officer whose job it is to help you. However they cannot be expected to magically conjure you a place to stay. At the very least it is a good idea to have at least a terms worth of accommodation arranged before you arrive. This means you aleady have a base upon arrival and, if it turns out to be unsatisfactory, you can then use your by now local knowledge to search out something better for the rest of your stay.
Your options for accommodation could include accommodation owned by the university or college, flat or house-share arrangements, a bedsit or lodgings, or 'homestay' (living with a UK family). The latter is less likely in the case of postgraduates. Remember that if you are bringing a lot of personal belongings with you, it is advisable to arrange room or contents insurance.
| As with most Australian universities institutions in the UK frequently have attached accommodation in the form of residence colleges and/or student flats or even houses. These will vary by institution and need to be investigated on a case by case basis. In general college rooms are suitable only for single people though postgraduates may have access to more spacious accommodation. Note that some colleges may require you to vacate your premises during university vacation.
Student hostels, often run by charities, may provide another college style alternative, though usually with less frills but a cheaper price.
In the private sector common forms of student accommodation are, as noted above, share houses and flats, lodgings (typically a rented room in a house) and bedsits, a room with a degree of self-sufficiency, eg bathroom and some cooking facilities. It is often the case that many places to let come furnished and this may have little bearing on the rental price.
Apart from the university accommodation pages the following links may prove useful
Studying and living in the United Kingdom 2006–07 - This practical manual contains a wealth of information about the most important aspects of living in the UK including arranging rental accommodation and its likely cost and standard.
Homes for Students - lets you search by region or institution and includes links to local real estate agents and share matching services.
Find a Property - has a wide listing of rental properties and also has a section called flatshare.
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