With top institutions, excellent teaching standards and world-recognised qualifications, it's no surprise that the UK is one of the world’s most popular study destinations. Whether you decide to stay in the hustle and bustle of one of the big cities, or prefer the backdrop of rolling hills and mountains, there's lots to do and people from all walks of life to meet.
"It was really interesting and
helpful to see your company's
resources... You truly have some
great resources for students."
"I particularly like the page
turning function. Easy to use
and easy to read."
"This type of advice is so necessary and useful for our students... A magazine such as this has been long overdue."
"This material really supports
the research and planning processes
that the students and their
families undertake."
"Very creative and with
useful information."
"I really enjoyed the modern and interactive style of the magazines
and think that it is very clever."
"With each passing day, students everywhere are using technology with greater frequency and ease... i-studentgroup is breaking new ground in getting information about colleges and universities to students, parents, and guidance counsellors around the world."
"I went through some of the magazines on offer and was very impressed. The wealth of information on hand will certainly be very useful."
"I believe that your online resource is
a tremendous help to students and
even parents who are anxious about
university attendance."
"What an outstanding resource! I'm truly impressed, this perhaps is the best resource I've seen for students to identify schools outside going there personally."
"The site is extremely helpful and a very
useful tool for us. Looking forward to
new issues of the web magazine."
"I truly think you've done an excellent job
on i-studentadvisor. It is colourful,
informative and user-friendly."
"Terrific, fantastic, informative, appealing,
attractive, effective and wonderful!"
"We recommend the i-studentadvisor magazines and websites to our
students and families as a great research companion."
"The site was not only strictly business, but also had the type of information that students, and future scholars, want to know about. I very much enjoyed the articles and found it quite resourceful."
"I really enjoyed the way the site separates each category. This makes students able to analyse the things offered in each region."
"i-studentadvisor supplements our programme with web resources that
give up-to-date, user-friendly guidelines to make the application process
more manageable."
"The online magazine was not only organised and detailed, but also very helpful in providing a glimpse of what a student’s life would be in college."
Organising accommodation before you depart for the UK is essential. Your institution may have pre-booked accommodation for you, or you might need to organise this yourself.
Most institutions will ensure that they can offer accommodation for international students for at least their first year, but this isn’t guaranteed. When you are accepted on a course, you will likely be sent an accommodation pack and details of an accommodation office with staff that can help you find housing. Institutions strongly advise students to take advantage of this resource, as accommodation officers will have the information and contacts to help you find affordable and well-located student accommodation quickly.
When researching your accommodation choices, you may wish to consider:
Below are some of the main types of accommodation available to students:
On-campus/halls of residence
Approximate cost: £50-150 per week
On-campus accommodation comes in various forms, ranging from shared or private rooms to one bedroom flats, and can be catered or self-catered with private or shared bathrooms. The majority will have a kitchen, typically shared by four to eight students, though some accommodation is catered and food will be served in a dining hall. You may be able to choose to live in a single-sex residence.
On-campus accommodation is a popular choice for students as most campuses are located near the institution and provide services such as shops and laundry. It’s also a great way to meet people and share your experience with other students. Basic facilities and bills will be included in your rent, which varies greatly according to location and room type. Students should apply for accommodation as early as possible to secure their preferred room type.
In cases where an institution has no halls of residence or places in halls are limited, they may offer institution-owned houses. In these, students are provided a study room in a shared house with other students. Rent varies and does not always include bills.
Host family
Approximate cost: £50-150 per week
You may be offered the opportunity to live with a host family during your studies; this is the most common type of accommodation for language students. It’s a great way to practise speaking English and learn about UK culture. You will be allocated your own private room and will be treated as a member of the family - sharing other facilities and being included in their activities. Students are also normally given morning and evening meals. You may be expected to help with household chores, and sometimes may also need to contribute financially to bills and accommodation costs.
Private rental
Approximate cost: £50-150 per week (more if not sharing), plus bills
Alternatively you can rent a private flat, or room in a shared house; this usually entails your own private room with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. This option often suits those wanting independence. In most cases bills will not be included in the monthly rent; you will need to agree how you are going to share these, as well as the cleaning duties, with your other housemates.
You should be aware that there may be a minimum lease; often six to twelve months, and a deposit is usually required to cover possible damage, which is refundable when the tenancy ends. Students wishing to privately rent are advised to arrive in the UK a few weeks before their course starts in order to secure a place, as most landlords will not reserve accommodation without signing a contract. It is advisable to make sure you have seen the accommodation before handing over any money. Consult your institution’s accommodation office for advice about renting privately.
For more advice on choosing accommodation in the UK, visit the UKCISA website.
For more information on choosing student accommodation in London , visit the Urbanest website.
Last updated: 30 November 2011
