Discover what your rights and responsibilities are when renting accommodation in the UK, as well as how much you could expect to pay and where to find the best accommodation.
Some universities have dedicated international halls or guaranteed accommodation places for international students, but this varies so check with them if you're interested in this.
Research transport options to ensure you're able to get to your classes on time.
Most private accommodation providers require a financial guarantor based in the UK. If you don’t have someone who can do this, there are companies that can do this for you.
Note: Some accommodations require a guarantor, who is a person you nominate that will pay the rent if you're unable. This normally needs to be someone living in the UK, although some companies offer this as a service. Alternatively, you may be asked to pay for a longer period of time up front if you don't have a guarantor.
International students give their tips and advice about student accommodation in the UK, including how to find accommodation, their experiences of arriving in the UK to begin their studies and how to make friends.
Finding somewhere you'll be happy to live is an important part of uni life.
To help you make the right choice, we’ve put together some info on the different types of accommodation you might want to consider, and their pros and cons.
If rent accounts for about half your spending, what exactly are all the other things you’ll need money for? Create yourself a budget, starting with your outgoings.
If you haven’t had to budget before, it doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about knowing what cash you’ve got coming in and out – then understanding how much is left over after your essentials, like rent and bills, are paid.
Try making a list of everything you’ll spend in a typical month, some typical outgoings might be:
Once you’re clear on all these other outgoings besides your rent, you can start thinking about how to make your money work for you.
If you know your outgoings will exceed your funds, you can adjust – maybe you can find accommodation with a lower rent. Or you could see where some additional cash can come in – perhaps find part-time work, bursaries, savings etc.
Signing up to any contract can be daunting, especially if it’s for something as important as where you will live. This article covers the top things to consider and look out for when you're searching for rental accommodation in the UK.