What do I need from my student accommodation?

Before you book, it's worth considering what exactly you're looking for - and what you need - from your student accommodation.

Choosing where to live during your university life is an important decision to make. Let us make it simple for you.

How do I choose my student accommodation?

Whether you’re a first year or third year, postgraduate or PhD student, making sure you choose the right accommodation while studying at university is an important decision to make. Your accommodation needs to be somewhere you feel safe, where you can thrive in both your studies and social life, and your home away from home.

We’ve put together this handy guide to help you choose the best home for you. Once you’ve had a read, visit our location pages and choose your perfect property.

1. Location is key

The location of accommodation and its proximity to campus and the city centre is usually on the top of most students’ lists, no matter what year of study.

Think about what your main priorities are. Do you want to be closer to campus so you can snooze that alarm a few times in the morning? Would you prefer to be away from campus so you can switch off and get some headspace from studies? Are you used to living in a bustling city centre, or is your preference for accommodation that’s further away from campus, where things are a little bit quieter?

Ask yourself what you need to make your living experience even better, but don’t forget: choosing somewhere with good public transport links is always a plus, so you can get to and from campus, or even head home for a weekend trip, quickly and easily.

2. The right space for you

So, you have an idea on the location of your accommodation, but have you thought about the room type and living space you want?

There are so many room types available that it might seem overwhelming. Take a moment to think about what setup suits you. If you want to live with a group of friends, a shared flat with your own en-suite might be the way to go, so you can socialise in living areas but retreat to your room when it’s time to relax. Maybe you’d prefer a private studio so you can focus on your studies, and escape to the shared social spaces when you need a break.

3. Security and support

At Student Roost, your safety and wellbeing is our top priority, and we do everything we can to make sure your living experience is as smooth as possible so you can focus on your studies while feeling safe and supported.

This means that 24/7 support is on hand when you need it the most, whether that’s collecting a parcel when you can’t sleep, needing a chat if you’ve had a rough day, or signposting to additional resources if you need support. Our onsite maintenance team and Student Roost app also lets you log maintenance issues whenever you need, so it’s quick and easy to tell us about any issues.

4. What’s your budget?

Going to university might be the first time you’ve had to manage your money yourself, which can be a huge adjustment. Although tuition fees are paid directly to the university, you’ll need to learn how to manage your maintenance loan budget while living comfortably and safely.

It’s sensible to choose somewhere that’s comfortably within your price range so you’re not worrying about keeping up with rent payments. At Student Roost, we offer flexible tenancy lengths and payment options, as well as all bills included in rent and an energy price promise, so you don’t need to worry about unexpected costs and whether you’ve used your gas and electric limit for the month.

5. Work and play

Student life is all about hitting the right balance between work and play. Obviously your studies are important, but we all need to refuel our brains by relaxing and regularly doing something fun to motivate us.

Consider choosing a property with a variety of shared social spaces so once you’ve got your studying done for the day, you can spend some time with flatmates and friends watching a movie, playing pool, or singing your heart out at karaoke. Student Roost properties have a variety of social spaces from cinemas and games rooms, to hosting kitchens and outdoor space.

So, are you ready to find your accommodation? Let’s go!

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