From the moment you decide to study abroad, the biggest question mark in your mind will be what your accommodation options are. Accommodation in a cost-effective and safe place is among the most important elements of the time you spend abroad.
If you have decided to study in the UK and have received the acceptance letter from the school you want, you should definitely research your accommodation options before you go. Going without deciding on your accommodation type and place will cause you to stay in a temporary place. This causes your expenses to increase significantly.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS IN ENGLAND
• University dormitories
• Private dormitories
• Homestay accommodation
• Student houses
• Room rental
• Au Pair accommodation
• Hotels
• Hostels
UNIVERSITY DORMITORIES
Many universities offer international students accommodation in dormitories. Especially in the first year of your education, universities guarantee accommodation in dormitories. If you are going to a country you do not know for the first time, university dormitories can be a good choice. Staying in a university dormitory will be an advantage for you to get to know the environment, learn about the living conditions, participate in social activities, and choose the right accommodation for the rest of your education. At the same time, the prices are more affordable than private dormitories.
University dormitories can be mixed, or they are also divided into only male and female dormitories. In some dormitories, more than one person can share the rooms. Usually, the rooms have a bed and a desk. Areas such as the kitchen, laundry and bathroom are among the common areas. In some dormitories, the bathroom is also in the room, but it is more expensive than other room types.
PRIVATE DORMITORIES
Private dormitories are managed by private institutions. Compared to university dormitories, they are more comfortable and the facilities offered are more divergent. However, it is more expensive than the type of accommodation in university dormitories. Private dormitories may not be available in every university city. For this reason, we recommend you to research well whether there is a private dormitory in the city you are going to.
HOMESTAY ACCOMMODATION
It is the most preferred type of accommodation. By staying with a family, you can better understand the culture of the country and experience its life much better. At the same time, if the mother tongue of the family you are staying with is English, your chances of practicing will increase. Although homestay accommodation is highly preferred, you should research well before you go. Lifestyles, tastes, and food cultures may not suit you and this may cause you to feel uncomfortable.
STUDENT HOMES
A few more students stay with you in the student houses. You deal with your daily household and kitchen needs together with your housemates. In this way, you can stay at affordable prices, but it will be difficult to find a student for accommodation in the first year of your education. Usually, after a period of education, the student housing option is taken into consideration.
ROOM RENTAL
It is the renting of a room in a house with a tenant or owner. You take upon yourself the cost of the kitchen and other expenses. It is not generally a preferred type of accommodation. It is much more common to stay in a student house with friends in the 2nd or 3rd year of education.
AU PAIR ACCOMMODATION
It is a type of accommodation where you can both stay and earn your pocket money. In this type of accommodation, you stay with a family. The difference from homestay accommodation is that you look after the children of the family you are staying with. You are given a room in the house and you get paid for looking after their children.
HOTELS
It is a non-economic type of accommodation for students to stay in. Generally, students who have not arranged their accommodation before going abroad may have to stay in hotels for a while.
HOSTELS
Hostels are places where you can stay in a system similar to dormitories. There are separate rooms and bunk beds inside the rooms. It is generally preferred by travelers because it is affordable. Students can also stay in hostels.
