Where to live during your second year at uni

First year flying by? We hope you’re having an amazing time in your uni city and looking forward to everything that comes next. With that in mind, it’s time to start thinking about second year and your options for student accommodation.

The good news is, you’ve got plenty of options for second year student accommodation. And now you know your city better and have settled into the uni lifestyle, you’ll probably have a clearer idea of what you want too. Take a look at your options and start planning for another year of adventure.

Contrary to popular belief, you can often live in uni halls in second year – although many universities prioritise uni accommodation for first years. This means you might need to join a waitlist to secure your place.

If waiting doesn’t work for you, but you still want the halls-style experience, you might want to consider purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) instead. This type of private accommodation gives you the communal living experience, plus the convenience of onsite support and all bills included in your rent. Better still, you’ll often find that PBSA have a wider range of facilities than uni halls - like games rooms, cinema rooms, even gyms. What’s not to like about that?

Living in PBSA in your second year

Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) are created specifically for university students to suit their needs. You’ll have your own private room but share other spaces, like the kitchen, study rooms and social spaces, with other students. It’s a great way to make new friends.

You’ll also benefit from having a support team on-site to help you settle in and make sure you have everything you need. Plus, you’ll often find bills are included in the room cost, so you don’t need to worry about any nasty surprise costs halfway through term.

Added to all this, PBSA usually have a wider selection of room types compared with uni halls. Classic en-suites are still available, but you’ll also have the option to rent your own studio room with your own private kitchen and dining areas. So if you’re looking for a balance of quiet time and socialising, this could be the option for you.

Living in a shared house (HMO) in second year

Many students choose a shared house when they’re ready to move on from uni halls. You’ll have plenty of independence and get to live with your mates. Plus, you can choose a house wherever you want to live in the city. This type of student accommodation offers a lot of flexibility – and a lot of variation in quality.

On the face of it, living in a shared student house is the cheapest option for your second year. The rents are usually lower than if you live in uni halls or private halls – but keep in  mind that you’ll need to pay all your utility bills and contents insurance on top. This can easily push the cost of living up, especially if you (or your housemates) don’t keep track of how much gas and electricity you’re using.

You’ll be renting your house from a private landlord which is great when it comes to independence. But it also means you’ll need to be responsible for managing any issues that come up - broken shower? You’ll need to contact the landlord yourself and arrange for them to fix it.

When you’re making your decision about what’s right for you, there are some key things to think about.

• Are you planning to live with friends you’ve made in first year? If so, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) or an HMO are probably best, as you can choose who you live with. 
• Not sure who to live with in second year? Purpose-built student accommodation or uni halls are a great way to make new friends if you didn’t find your tribe in first year.
• Do you want to be closer to uni or town or somewhere in between? Purpose-built student accommodation and uni halls tend to offer accommodation closer to campus. If you want to be further out, you’ll find HMOs in lots of different locations across the city.
• Would you rather have all monthly bills included with no hidden costs, so that you're protected from rising energy costs? Purpose-built student accommodation or uni halls are best if you want to know exactly what you’re paying up front. 
• How important is having support available to you whenever you need it? If the thought of a friendly face and a bit of help with everyday life makes you sigh with relief, purpose-built student accommodation is likely to give you the highest level of support. You’ll also get onsite support with uni halls too.

Choosing Student Roost for your second year uni accommodation

Think private student accommodation just might be for you? At Student Roost, we’ve designed all our properties to help you have your best uni year yet.

Choose how you want to live

Remember that feeling before first year, when you were waiting to see what room you were allocated and who you’d be living with? You’ve got options now and, with Student Roost, you can select your room type and if you’d like to book as a group. When you’re moved in, add those personal touches to your space to make it feel like home and live according to your own schedule – from quiet time studying to hanging out with mates downstairs.

Tick bills off the list

No-one wants the stress of paying bills on top of studying and budgeting, especially when energy bills are continuing to rise. We know balancing everything as a student can be hard, so we want to help ease the pressure so you can focus on the more important things. Moving from halls to other accommodation can be a bit of a shock if you have to fork out for utilities you didn’t realise you’d be paying for. That’s why all of your bills are included in your rent at Student Roost, with no hidden costs or limits on usage, so no need to worry about gas, electricity and water – or awkward conversations with housemates about splitting the bill!

Stay close to the action

Who doesn’t fancy a lie in? Moving out of halls doesn't mean you have to worry about waking up super early to travel in for those 9am lectures: our properties are mostly located in the heart of the respective city, so you can be close to campus with all the best restaurants, shops and hotspots on your doorstep. Whether it’s getting to uni or travelling back to your accommodation after a night out with friends, you can sleep easy (and for longer) knowing you won’t have an epic trek every time you leave your room.

Know there’s support if and when you need it

Private student houses don’t offer dedicated support from AM to PM – but we do!  You can still live independently without curfews or constant checking up on you; after all, you’re an adult and part of this whole new chapter is getting real experience living on your own terms. But we’re also here whenever you need us, which on a bad day (and we all have those) can be a lifeline when you need to chat. From handing over your parcels to signposting to mental health support, our friendly teams of customer service professionals are available round-the-clock – so, if you need to chat, head to reception and you’ll find a friendly face. You can also check out our wellbeing hub for additional signposting and resources.

Study in an environment to suit you

Being a uni student can be stressful but having a great study environment makes all the difference. Moving to one of our properties means you have the freedom to study how you want in a space that suits you. Whether that be outside on a bench or on your desk in your bedroom, you can find a place that’s comfortable and right for you.

Need background noise? Get comfy and set up your notes in one of our living spaces that have a thriving atmosphere, perfect for knuckling down and getting those group projects done. Or if you’d like something a little quieter and private, many of our properties have their own quiet study spaces, designed to help you focus and get the job done. Plus our superfast Wi-Fi (included in your rent, too!) means you can study uninterrupted.

Make the most of amazing spaces

When you’ve put the books away for the day, have some fun in a safe place for you and your friends. Across our Roosts, we offer a range of social spaces designed with you in mind and perfect for having a laugh and taking your mind off things. We offer everything from cinema and games rooms to rooftop terraces, lounges, karaoke, and communal kitchens – perfect for pre-game socials or late-night catch ups. Good vibes only, and a whole lot different to your standard rooms in a shared house.

Become part of our friendly community

Even if you’re in your own self-contained studio, you’re part of something bigger when you join us. Student Roost living is great for getting you out of your comfort zone and meeting people of all cultures and walks of life. No one wants to feel alone living away from home, so we pride ourselves in the communities we have built at each of our Roosts. Live with the friends you book with or make new ones along the way at our frequent onsite events, but either way you can enjoy a sense of belonging when you live with us.

Want to get your second year student accommodation sorted? Explore our UK locations, sort an in-person or virtual viewing, and - when you’re ready - book to enjoy the next chapter in your uni experience and start making some amazing memories in more than a room. We’d love for you to stay with us.