A Guide to Finding Postgraduate Student Accommodation in the UK

Postgraduate Student Accommodation Types#

When seeking out accommodation as a postgraduate student, your options will look broadly similar to those you had as an undergraduate. However, the pros and cons might look a little different, as you’ll likely be looking for a different university experience as a postgrad. Here’s an overview of your options:

- University-managed accommodation: University halls are an affordable option on or close to campus, with a strong sense of community. In your first year of university, they’re a great chance to meet people, but as a postgrad they may be a little too raucous. However, they are a convenient option, with easy access to university facilities and services. If your university offers postgraduate-only halls, this may be a good option for the convenience of campus living without the party-animal roommates.

- Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA): PBSAs are off-campus residences, such as studio apartments, designed specifically for university students. These are often a bit more expensive than halls, but offer more privacy and independence, which are important considerations for older postgraduate students. Some PBSAs only cater to postgraduates, with improved facilities and quieter buildings.

- Private rentals: Alternatively you may choose to rent a flat or a room from a private landlord. You’ll have a lot of choice in terms of where you can live, and a lot more independence (although this does come with the added responsibility of managing your bills, and possibly maintenance). If you’ve been away from university for a while, this might be a good option for maintaining your current lifestyle.

- Homestays and lodgings: Instead of renting by yourself, you can live with a host family, who will typically be used to hosting students in their home. These are often ideal for international students, as your host family can help you get settled and feel at home in the UK.

As a postgraduate student, your priorities will look a lot different compared to when you chose your undergraduate accommodation. You (probably) won’t be partying as much, and you’ll have a more substantial academic workload with more challenging material. There’s no one right answer when it comes to picking accommodation, but you do need to carefully consider selecting accommodation that’s conducive to your studies.

Where to Find Postgraduate Accommodation#

You might have an idea of the type of accommodation you want for your postgraduate degree, but actually finding appropriate accommodation can feel overwhelming. Fortunately, there are plenty of resources to help you with your search.

Firstly, most universities have housing officers and informative websites to assist students with finding accommodation to suit their needs. Experienced university staff can provide guidance for finding off-campus accommodation, and help students to navigate issues such as contracts, maintenance, and issues with roommates. Additionally, many universities will have official or student-run notice boards or social media groups, which you can use to directly connect with other students looking for roommates.

You can also find a wealth of information on unbiased platforms such as StudentCrowd, which provides searchable lists of accommodation options for all UK universities. When looking at your options, you can filter the list to find accommodation that fits your budget while offering the facilities you’re looking for. Once you’ve narrowed down your search, you can check the full details of each option, and hear from other students about their experience with the accommodation to get a realistic picture of what it would be like to live there.

Finally, if you know you want to opt for a private rental, you can check directly with local letting agents and private rental websites. These will provide their own tools for searching for rentals around the university, or you can speak to someone who can help you find an appropriate property.

Key Considerations for Postgrads#

Your choice of accommodation will undoubtedly impact your postgrad experience, so here are our four key considerations to think about when deciding.

Location#

As with any student accommodation, location is one of the most important things to think about. The more time you spend commuting to campus or the gym, the less time you’ll have to study. In some cities it won’t be possible to find a location that ticks all of your boxes, but generally you want to consider how close you are to campus (as this is where you’ll spend most of your time), and other essential amenities. You’ll also want to check the public transport options available, as these can significantly cut your time spent on travel, or give you options for living further afield.

Budget#

One essential consideration when choosing your accommodation is your budget. Whether you plan on working a part-time job, or if you receive bursaries and grants, this will affect how much it would be sensible for you to spend on accommodation. This is where StudentCrowd’s accommodation filters come in handy, as you can immediately narrow your choices down to those that fit your budget. Note that it can be difficult to compare accommodation options like for like, as some will be all-inclusive, while others will require you to pay bills separately. With some options, such as private rentals, you’ll also need to factor in additional costs such as council tax.

Lease Terms#

Once you’ve narrowed down your accommodation options to a shortlist, you need to check the terms of the lease for each option. It’s also important that you understand your rights as a tenant; familiarising yourself with your rights can help to avoid and address issues in the future. You also need to look at the length of the contract, and whether it’s appropriate for your postgrad programme. For example, if you’re completing a multi-year master’s degree, you’ll want to know if you might need to move and find new accommodation after the first year.

Facilities and Environment#

There are some essential facilities to look for in postgrad accommodation, such as appropriate study spaces, safety and security measures, and kitchen and dining facilities. Depending on your priorities, you might also want to look for additional amenities like on-site gyms, dedicated laundry facilities, or recreational spaces. Additionally, consider whether you would prefer a social living environment with opportunities for interaction, or if you’d be happier with a quieter setting, prioritising focused work and relaxation. Assessing the facilities and overall environment will help you find a space that aligns with your lifestyle and study habits.

Tips for Securing Accommodation#

When searching and applying for postgraduate accommodation, you can’t just wing it. A lot of popular choices will run out of space quickly, so if you want to have more good options, you need to be prepared and plan ahead.

Here are our top tips to ensure that your search goes smoothly, and that you ultimately get the accommodation you want:

Don’t wait around: You don’t need to wait until you receive an offer to start researching your options! In fact, it pays to get a head start on knowing what’s available, so that you’ve already got a shortlist to start applying once you receive an offer. It’s useful to rank your potential options in advance so you have a good idea of where you’ll want to apply ahead of time. You can find more guidance on how to prepare in our step-by-step guide to applying for student accommodation.

Consider postgraduate-only accommodation: While most students will have a great time in halls in their first year of uni, freshers probably don’t make for the best roommates when you really need to focus on your studies. Postgraduate programmes are typically more intense than undergraduate degrees, meaning you’ll need more peace and quiet to get your work done. Opting for a postgrad-only accommodation (or mature student accommodations) means you’ll be living with students with similar priorities and needs.

Understand your rental rights: Another thing you can do before you start applying is getting to grips with your rights as a tenant, and topics like deposit protection schemes. Our Student’s Guide to Renting is a great place to start, as it outlines your rights and responsibilities as a student renter.

Check your tenancy agreement: Before you ever put pen to paper and sign a rental agreement, you’ll need to check it carefully. You need to make sure you fully understand the terms of the agreement so you don’t get a nasty surprise later (like scrambling to move out and find new accommodation in the middle of your dissertation). Again, our handy guide provides a good primer on what to check in your tenancy agreement.