Flat shares
Renting accommodation can be very expensive. That's why many students take on flat or house shares to save costs. In flat shares, bills are typically split between occupants.
You can choose to live with fellow students or working professionals, in mixed or single-sex accommodation, with a large or small group of people. There are loads of websites, like Spare Room, to help you find the place for you.
Be aware
If you're thinking about sharing accommodation, make sure you meet the people you could be living with first.
Top-tips for international students
It can be difficult for international students to visit their accommodation beforehand. If that includes you, we strongly advise you do plenty of research to make sure your potential accommodation is right for you.
Review sites, like Ask Tenants(opens in new tab) or Marks out of Tenancy(opens in new tab) will give you a good idea of the history of the rental, and sites like All Agents(opens in new tab) and Trust Pilot(opens in new tab) let you check the reputation of the letting agent.
You could be asked to provide the following documentation:
- Confirmation letter from the University
- Bank statements
- Reference
- Identification documents (driving license, passport etc)
- Guarantor – this is someone who can provide financial backup
Before you decide on your accommodation, make sure you think about what you'll need to bring with you, for example, bedding and kitchen utensils. Not all accommodation will be furnished, so check with your letting agent what will be provided.