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Posted Feb. 5, 2025

Finding the best student accommodation for postgraduate life

Starting your postgraduate journey is a very exciting time indeed. Whether moving regions or from another country to pursue your postgraduate dream, getting the practicalities right prior to your relocation is the key to creating a home from home to undertake your studies.

Finding postgraduate accommodation is perhaps one of the most important to-dos on your list. With the right accommodation, you can lay roots in your student city of choice, ease yourself into university life and really focus on getting all you can from your postgraduate program. So, where do you even begin when exploring your postgraduate housing options? With our comprehensive guide to finding the best student accommodation for university life of course!

From student halls and privately rented housing to short-term accommodation and luxury lets, this article will help you navigate every choice as well as make an informed decision about your future and the place you’ll call home during your studies.

Your postgraduate housing options

When studying in the UK, you’ll be spoilt for choice by the sheer number of housing options available. The extensive range of accommodation types however can make settling on one option impossible, especially if you are unfamiliar with the accommodation types. Thankfully, we’re here to share an introduction to each so you can make the right choice for you…

Student halls

Whether considering university halls (a.k.a. halls of residence) or private halls based off-campus, halls no doubt provide a hassle-free accommodation option. While traditionally reserved for undergraduate students, many halls are accessible to postgrads looking to continue their studies. Many universities provide separate halls of residence for their undergraduate and postgraduate communities.

Halls often provide more affordable accommodation for those looking to keep expenses to a minimum, with the inclusion of bills in the cost making life easier for all students. The security deposit usually required is also much lower than the deposits needed for private rentals, with the latter generally demanding six to eight weeks of rent as a down payment.

The convenience of being based on campus, or at least very close by, is another thing that keeps studies fuss-free. It also minimises the need for additional costs, such as transportation.

Halls provide the ultimate university experience, with many postgrads embracing the communal vibe. If you like your peace and quiet, and value your personal space however, halls may not be the right option for you.

Private student accommodation

Most university towns and cities provide a healthy stock of student housing options. Going privately rented is the most popular option for postgrads. With a private rental, you’ll enjoy your freedom, plenty more space, and an independence that will only enrich your postgraduate experience further.

Renting a shared house privately may provide the best of both worlds. House shares keep accommodation costs low while avoiding the large-scale communal living that isn’t the right fit for some students.

Luxury student accommodation

For postgrads with a little more money to play with, upping the luxury is certainly an option. There are many luxury student accommodation services, each of which offers their postgraduate guests superior comfort, flexibility, high end housing, and many more perks that wouldn’t be out of place in your average hotel.

Homestays

For an authentic postgraduate experience, call on the many homestay hosts that are out there. Homestays provide a home away from home in someone else’s home, with the opportunity to live like a local, certain to enhance your postgraduate experience.

Practical tips for postgraduates

Location

Picking the right accommodation for your postgraduate years isn’t easy. As with any property search however, location matters, with proximity to certain amenities a factor many students prioritise. Here Your Coffee Break shares the perks that go hand-in-hand with being located closer to campus:

 “Opting for accommodation close to campus has its undeniable perks. Forget about the early morning rush and the struggle for a parking spot. Being a stone’s throw away from lectures means more sleep, less stress, and a chance to squeeze in that extra study session. Ultimately, living close to your university has numerous advantages, and a lot of students prefer to take advantage of this so that they have an easier life.”

A location in the heart of the action doesn’t come cheap however, with most centrally based postgraduate accommodation particularly pricey. Nearby amenities also tend to be costlier with accommodation that’s based on or near campus.

Deciding whether to start your accommodation search close to university or a little further afield may also have an impact on life outside the classroom.

While campus life no doubt offers its advantages for mixing with your fellow students, basing yourself within the local community will provide a more authentic experience. The security blanket that on-campus accommodation facilitates can however deliver peace of mind for those with safety concerns.

Budgeting

Another factor that’s certain to influence your hunt for postgraduate accommodation is your budget. Budgeting will become your best friend when studying as a postgraduate, with every aspect of student life needing to be budgeted for to ensure you go the distance and complete your program.

Budgeting apps are great for monitoring your spending and managing your money. Better yet, they’ll put all your student finances at your fingertips so you spend less time worrying about money and more time enjoying your postgraduate experience.

Wally and Moneyhub are popular budgeting apps amongst students, and provide tools to help you control your spending and reach savings goals. For postgraduates moving into shared accommodation, Splitwise is another fantastic app to have to hand. It allows you to keep track of shared expenses and balances to make communal living easier.

Amenities

The amenities available both inside your student accommodation and within the local area matter. The convenience of having a shop on your doorstep shouldn’t be underestimated – especially when you’ve ran out of milk and need a coffee to kickstart your day! Easy-to-access public transport is another amenity to prioritise, whether you need to travel to campus, want to nip into town for a spot of shopping, or require reliable transport to get to a part-time job.

Inside your accommodation, the quest for convenience should continue. You’ll need a decent Wi-Fi connection to aid your studies as well as access to appliances, amongst other things.

Safety

The safety and security of your chosen accommodation is crucial. While not all student housing options have security personnel or a front desk, safety should be assessed.

Window and door locks, CCTV, and fire safety equipment all contribute to a safer space. The condition of the property should also be examined carefully to ensure it’s a healthy place to live during your studies.

Useful resources for finding housing

When searching for postgraduate accommodation, remember you don’t have to do it alone. There are many resources that can be called upon, whatever your needs or budget.

Your university is a great place to start when exploring postgraduate housing. The University of Warwick for example provides a whole portfolio of postgraduate campus accommodation options for its first year and returning postgraduate taught (PGT) or postgraduate research (PGR) students. While the University of Leicester partners with Sulets to offer access to hundreds of privately rented student houses and purpose-built accommodation options based very close to the campus.

The University of Bath even offers family accommodation for postgraduates looking to relocate with their loved ones.

Student lettings platforms can also help you scour the accommodation available in your chosen student town or city. Student Tenant, YPP, CRM Students and Fresh all provide helpful access to postgraduate accommodation and advice.

Ready to find the perfect postgraduate program for you?

If you’re yet to find a postgraduate program, you’re in the right place. Our database contains more than 30,000 postgraduate courses across a huge range of institutions. Start your search today!

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