Are your kids about to fly the nest for the next few years? It’s a big step – for them and for you. There’s a lot to think about when it comes to finding student accommodation and, if you want to give them the best start, you may want to help your child out.
The parent’s guide to student accommodation
Let’s look at some of the unknowns and give you everything you need to help your child find and settle into their new home away from home. Learn everything you need to know about how to find student accommodation in the UK below.
In this guide:
What types of student accommodation are there?
Just like with house hunting, there are a lot of choices when it comes to finding student accommodation. You may want to sit down with your child and ask them what they want, as wherever they choose is going to be their new home for at least a year.
The different types of accommodation options include:
Student accommodation
Student accommodation is housing made for students – usually in the form of dormitory-style living in apartments or on-campus halls. Usually, these are within easy walking distance to the university and promote a communal living style – meaning facilities are shared. Unite Students falls into this category, as would university-provided dorms and other student accommodation options.
There can be a lot of benefits to for-purpose student accommodation, including an easier transition into solo living, a sense of community, and fewer responsibilities. Additionally, you can usually count on a good location and rest assured that your child is with fellow students, which can help with any feelings of isolation or loneliness.
Often, student accommodations such as Unite Students’ residences can offer benefits such as common rooms, games rooms, student events and study spaces. Bills are also included in rent prices, so no need to worry about paying for Wi-fi, water or electricity.
Take a look at our student accommodation options
Private housing
Private rentals can encompass a lot of living styles, such as shared housing, apartments or studio rentals. While these may be less convenient, they can offer greater freedom. However, solo living could also be less convenient and more burdensome, with bills most likely not included in rent prices, so it’s important to weigh up the benefits.
Likewise, tenancy agreements can bring into question factors such as liability, and shared houses may bring feelings of a lack of privacy or space. They are also less connected, so students may need to travel further and pay more for public transport to get to uni.
That’s not to say private housing is a bad decision, but it may not be quite as smooth a transition as dedicated student accommodation – at least in the first year.
Learn more about student accommodation vs. private housing
How to Help Your Child Find Student Accommodation
As a parent, helping your child find student accommodation as they set off to uni might be a top priority – but it’s important to work with them. After all, as much as them moving out and away impacts you, it’s an even bigger journey for them. Try to consider (and ask) your child about the following:
Location. Do they want student accommodation in the city centre? If not, how far do they want to walk or travel? Are there any buses that they should be aware of, and do they want to be near any other locations, such as parks, supermarkets or gyms? Likewise, are they close to major transport links if they ever get homesick?
Facilities. Study areas, a library, games or common rooms, a private bathroom and kitchen – these are all things that can have a huge impact on the quality of living for your child. What one person might want, another might not, so ask them what they’re looking for. At Unite Students, facilities differ between locations, but we always offer some form of social and study space.
Social life. How close does your child want to be to other students, the university, or nearby nightlife? Their location and the distance to the things they love can make a difference to their quality of life.
Safety and security. Would having a security team, gates, or fob locks on their bedroom bring a sense of security to your child? If it’s something they’re concerned about, then student accommodation may be a better consideration than private.
Read our Parent Safety Leaflet
Room types. What kind of room does your child want? There are a lot of options both in dorms and private housing. For example, en-suite or non-ensuite , studio or shared. Additionally, consider if your child needs accessible accommodation.
How to apply for student accommodation
Applying for student accommodation might feel daunting if you’ve never done it before – especially with all the other application and finance forms and checklists running through your mind. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming, though.
Get your foot in the door with this step-by-step guide to applying for accommodation with Unite Students:
To find your perfect student home, first visit the Unite Students website and enter the location you’re looking for. Alternatively, you can take a look at our individual city pages.
Once you’ve entered your location, search – there should be a list of nearby accommodation options and the landmarks they’re close to. You can also use the map to navigate.
Next, click ‘View rooms’ – note, some rooms are pre-reserved by our university partners and may need to be booked via the university directly. Here, you should also find a gallery and a list of room features.
Once you’ve looked through the gallery, click ‘Reserve your room’, and select the duration you need it for.
Click ‘Book your room’, then enter the requested details.
To finish up, you’ll need to accept the tenancy agreement, provide your payment details, and sign off the guarantor acceptance.
Your child can check their progress under ‘My Booking’ in the ‘My Account’ section.
Learn more about accommodation contracts
What’s Included in Unite Students accommodation?
Unite Students is a home away from home – it’s a safe space tailored to provide everything your child needs for a great uni stay. With thousands of rooms across 23 UK cities, you’re certain to find the perfect place.
So, what’s included when you rent a room with Unite Students?
Rent and bills. With high-speed Wi-Fi, utilities such as electricity and water, and insurance all included in the rent, you don’t need to worry about additional or sprawling payments. Students just need to set up their monthly rent payments, and they’re good to go.
Living facilities. All Unite Student accommodation provides a comprehensive living environment, offering all the amenities needed. That includes kitchen areas, lounges and laundry spaces.
Social facilities. University isn’t just about academic work; it’s about creating connections too. Students can knuckle down on their assignments in communal study areas, hit the on-site gym, kick back and catch a movie in the cinema room or hang out in communal spaces. For a comprehensive list of all social facilities, please check your chosen accommodation.
Security. We want everyone to feel safe and secure on-site at any Unite Students location. Each site is accessed by fob or card, and every bedroom door has its own lock. Reception hours may vary from site to site, but are usually staffed between 8 am and 8 pm. With CCTV at every location and an overnight safety team, your child will feel safe and secure while they sleep and study.
How is student accommodation paid for?
While there are a few ways to pay for student accommodation, the most common is a maintenance loan. However, what your child is eligible for depends on your overall household income. In some cases, their maintenance loan might not cover everything they need, so you may want to chip in to bridge the gap.
You can take a look at our guide on how parental income affects student finances for more information.
Some students might also opt to get a part-time job to help pay for extra bills and expenses. Whatever the case, it’s a good idea to guide them so they’re aware of what needs paying and when, and to help them budget accordingly.
Rent costs can vary depending on their location. For example, with Unite Students, a room rental costs from:
£257/week in London
£169/week in Birmingham
£130/week in Leeds
£86/week in Aberdeen
Payments are usually paid by the student via direct debit, even if they receive parental support. Accommodation costs are often supported by their maintenance loan, which is paid directly into their bank account by Student Finance.
Learn more about university costs and how to budget
FAQs about students accommodation
Can I visit my child in student accommodation?
Yes, as a parent, you can visit your child at Unite Student accommodation. But remember, you’re a guest – so try not to disturb other students. And always try to give your child a heads up that you might be visiting. They might be getting on better than you think!
What support is available from Unite Students?
With our safety team available overnight, and a reception team on-hand from morning to evening, there’s plenty of support for students. Additionally, mental health support resources are available for students.
Can students choose to live with people they know?
Absolutely, students can choose to live with friends in Unite Students accommodation. Book a flat with friends by using our group booking tool, and see what options are available for finding joint student accommodation.
