What is the most common type of accommodation for university students?

The Benefits

There are several benefits of living with a friend or partner in one student accommodation. 

Firstly, it’s a very cost-effective living arrangement because you can live in the same space while paying less than you would if you were living on your own. This can be helpful if both you and your partner have a tight budget for student accommodation. 

Another benefit of two people living in one accommodation is being able to share the cleaning and cooking duties. This can be particularly helpful during exam periods or when you’re busy writing essays as it means you can stay on top of your studies while balancing the chores between you and your roommate. 

The Cons

Living with a partner in a small space can be intense. It’s important, therefore, to make time for your own separate hobbies and interests. You might go to sports practice or to meet up with friends on your own and then link back up at the end of the day. The key thing is to keep a balance between your living partner and the things you enjoy doing beyond that dynamic.

You are both responsible for the rent payments, even if you or your partner moves out. Both your names will be on the tenancy agreement so it’s likely you’ll have to continue paying for your shared room until the contract comes to an end. 

Pros: 

• Spring out of bed and be at your seminar in mere minutes. In on-campus residence halls, you’re right in the heart of the action with everything from the library to the student bar all within a short walk.
• Living on-campus means your social life will be on tap. You’ll be living as neighbours with your fellow students giving you plenty of opportunities to meet lots of people. 
• On-campus accommodation typically includes bill costs so you want to have any additional charges to worry about.  

Cons 

• You’ll have to travel to and from the city centre, even at weekends when you won’t be in lectures. 
• If you get a job in the city centre, you’ll have to commute to work which could take time out of your day and it will cost you too. 
• You may feel less connected to the city you choose to live in. 
• On-campus accommodation isn’t necessarily cheaper. 

Pros 

• These buildings are designed with students in mind. They encourage students to live as a community, with more independence and freedom. 
• You can live with a group of mates in an apartment. 
• Living off campus means you’re more free to explore the city you study in.
• Dedicated apartments offer students a social life on tap. 
• You can find very affordable accommodation options further away from your campus, plus most private halls include bills which will enable you to budget far easier.
• Living off-campus can be more beneficial to your productivity. There will be fewer distractions, without all the comings and goings of life on campus. 

Cons 

• Depending on where exactly your student accommodation is, you might have a longer commute to classes. Project Student’s dedicated apartments all tend to be within walking distance of campus but it’s worth double-checking on our website. 
• Be mindful of year-long leases. Student contracts tend to start in June, which can make it very expensive if you have to pay rent during the long summer holidays. Most private halls, including Project Student, offer shorter leases though.

Pros

• With Project Student’s apartments and private landlords, you can choose where you live in the city. You also have more freedom and flexibility.
• If you’re after privacy, this type of accommodation offers just that. You can choose an entire flat for yourself. Project Student’s apartments and self-catered studios are particularly ideal for students who want to live independently in their own space. 
• You can get more bang for your buck living off-campus. Project Student’s accommodation includes all bills to make budgeting a lot easier. Some private landlords include bills in the cost of rent too. 
• Choose who to live with. Project Student’s accommodation has apartments and studios designed to share with friends, whether it’s different year groups or even different universities.

Cons

• You may end up in a small house or flat with people you don’t get along with. 
• No maintenance staff that are dedicated to looking after your accommodation. You’re reliant on the landlord. 
• More ‘life admin’. The house hunt itself can be stressful and even once you’ve found a property, there is often more admin involved in renting through a private landlord. 
• Be aware of year-long leases as it can be expensive to pay rent during the summer months when you’re likely to be living at home or travelling. Lots of private halls offer shorter leases.