What are the different types of student accommodation?

What are the different types of student accommodation?

You’re finally ready to step out into the world, but when you’re treading new ground, it can be hard to find your feet. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by university choices and the many types of accommodation. Halls, private halls, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), private sector halls, private properties, provider-managed properties – before you know it, words stop meaning anything, and you’re still without a place to stay.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. Read on and get yourself on the right track, with this Unite Student guide with pros and cons to the different types of uni accommodation.

In this guide:

• Types of student accommodation

• Comparing accommodation types

• How to choose your accommodation type

• FAQs

Types of student accommodation

There are many different types of accommodation for you to choose from, each offering their own pros and cons. For example:

• Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) / private halls. Privately developed, student-focused buildings with en-suite rooms or studios and communal amenities. What we offer at Unite Students.

• University-owned accommodation (halls). Managed by universities, usually on or near campus, often allocated to first-year or international students.

• Private house-shares / houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs). Residential houses rented by multiple students, sharing kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces.

• Rented apartments / built-to-Rent (BTR) flats. Self-contained flats or apartments rented from private landlords or BTR operators, with fewer student-focused amenities.

Whether you’re studying physics or not, understanding the different types of student accommodation doesn’t need to be rocket science.

Here’s a breakdown of the four types of student accommodation:

Private or purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)

“Purpose” or “Private-Built Student Accommodation” is purpose-built for university students, as the name suggests. This is the type of accommodation you’ll find with Unite Students.

Choose between shared or studio apartments, with a range of accommodation options to suit the experience you want. These could include ensuite bathrooms, private kitchens, or shared spaces. That means you can live on your own or with friends, and you may have access to additional facilities such as study rooms, courtyards, and gyms, cinema rooms, and laundry facilities.

PBSA often has on-site security, 24/7 staff, CCTV, and key-fob access. With Unite Students, we also include your bills in your rent, saving you the hassle of dealing with utility companies.

Pros

• Community: You get a helping hand in making friends outside your course.

• Location: Enjoy close-to-campus accommodation to reduce commute costs.

• Convenience: Your bills are included in your rent.

• Security: Get on-site security, 24/7 support, and key fob access.

• Choice: Tailor your living arrangements to the uni lifestyle you want.

• Amenities: Fit-for-purpose amenities help you make the most out of uni life.

• Flexibility: You can often stay for the time you need – whether that’s an academic year or a semester.

Cons

• Cost: Some private accommodations can be more expensive than cheaper private options.

• Noise and privacy: Depending on the type of room you choose, you may have less privacy than living alone.

• Standardised living spaces: Less ability to personalise living spaces compared to private rentals.

Find your ideal private student accommodation with Unite Students.

University-owned accommodation (halls)

University-owned accommodation, or “halls”, are living quarters located on or near campus, often available to first-year students. Rooms are usually randomly assigned, and you’ll be in with a group of other students in a similar boat to you.

University halls are usually single rooms with a shared kitchen and bathroom – the number of students you’re sharing with can vary depending on what your university offers. But shared spaces can be an excellent way to meet new people. In some halls, you may be assigned a roommate as opposed to having a private room, too.

Halls vary in cost depending on the city and the accommodation but they tend to be among the cheaper options. They come fully furnished but are otherwise very basic. They can also be noisy – there are a lot of people in halls, and they may want to hang out and party sometimes.

Many university-owned accommodations include bills in the price, but they probably won’t include extras such as gyms, study rooms, or other amenities.

Pros

• Community: Halls are a great place to meet people.

• Support Services: Get access to security, maintenance, and pastoral care.

• Convenience: All bills are included in your rent, saving you faff and hassle.

Cons

• Limited: Usually only available for first-year students.

• Cost: Can be more expensive than some private rental options.

• Noise and privacy: Less privacy due to shared spaces with many other students.

• Standardised living spaces: Less opportunity to alter the space to suit you.

• Less flexibility: Typically required committing for the academic year.

Private house shares (HMOs)

Private house shares, also known as houses of multiple occupancy (HMO), are privately rented accommodation owned by private landlords. That doesn’t mean you’ll need to deal with a landlord directly, though. Many university estate agents act as intermediaries, and the house will often choose a “lead tenant”.

HMOs can be located anywhere, with the more affordable ones often further from the city centre. They rarely include utility bills in the rent, and you won’t get perks like gym memberships, cleaning, common rooms, study areas, or security. Because HMOs are often based out of city centres, travel costs and time can quickly rack up, too.

If you’re looking for a place for you and your mates in your second or third year, this can be a fun choice to build your community and grow relationships. As a first-year student, it could be intimidating.

Living in a house share can bring a sense of freedom, but you may also end up getting tangled up in dealing with bills, communicating about house problems, and spending time on maintenance and upkeep. This could lead to wasted energy spent on handling issues and conflicts over things like household responsibilities — something we could all do without.

HMOs can be a little cramped, too – you could live with up to 10 other people – and you may end up sharing with people you don’t know. If you’re on a different schedule (or don’t like the smell of fish in the kitchen), you could find that someone’s lifestyle conflicts with yours. For some, renting that close with someone they don’t know could be a security concern.

Finally, with HMOs, quality can vary – you may get an amazing home with a great landlord, or something quite basic that isn’t quite up to your standards. No one wants to live in a mouldy, damaged home.

Still, the right home with the right people can give you an incredible experience.

Pros

• Independence: You get to decorate your own place and deal with everything yourself.

• Cost-effective: HMOs are often cheaper to rent.

• Flexibility: You may get better flexibility in terms of lease duration.

• Living with friends: You can choose to live with friends.

Cons

• Responsibility: You may need to deal with bills and maintenance yourself.

• Conflicts: Sharing a house can lead to conflicts over tasks and responsibilities – even with friends.

• Quality: House quality can vary between shared houses and landlords.

• Distance: Many private houses will be located further from campus.

Rented apartments (BTRs)

BTRs – that’s built-to-rent apartments – are a type of accommodation designed for professionals. That doesn’t stop mature students from staying there, however. Rented apartments are usually centrally located and offer students a quieter environment. For some, they’re a last resort as well.

While it’s not a guarantee, BTR apartments tend to be of higher quality than most private house shares, as management companies are usually hired for maintenance. However, like a private house rental, you will probably need to handle your own bills. That’s time, stress, and money that you need to arrange when you move in and stop when you move out. Expect higher average rent than HMOs and halls.

You may get access to facilities like an on-site gym or even a pool, but it’s unlikely you’ll get more student-focused amenities, such as study rooms, communal spaces, and cinema or games rooms.

There’s also the sometimes-beneficial, sometimes-detrimental, benefit of being alone. You get to enjoy your privacy and peace, but you may find yourself a bit distanced from other students. Halls and PBSAs allow you to forge connections with students more easily, and many PBSAs hold student nights to help you meet others.

Pros

• Privacy: Rented apartments give you more privacy.

• Amenities: Some rental complexes offer things like gyms or courtyards.

• Location: Many rented flats have city centre locations – which could be close to your campus.

• Flexibility: You get to choose your living environment – from studios to multi-room flats.

• Management: Complexes are often managed by professional management companies.

Cons

• Cost: Rented apartments are expensive, especially in large cities.

• Responsibility: You are responsible for handling bills, maintenance and potential repairs.

• Isolation: You’ll have fewer organised social opportunities outside of your immediate circle.

• Not specialised for students: Rented apartments are typically for young professionals, and you may be treated as such.

• Less help: No student-specific help and support.

How to choose your accommodation type

Now you know the different types of accommodation available to you, it’s time for the hard part – choosing where to stay. As if choosing a university wasn’t hard enough. There are a few things to consider so that you can make the right decision:

• Budget. Before you start looking, set a realistic budget. You don’t want all your income going toward rent either; try to consider fun money, whether you need to buy furniture, and so on. Once you’ve got your budget, you can rapidly narrow down the types of accommodation you can afford.

• Lifestyle and social opportunities. Your house should match your lifestyle. So, if you’re eager to socialise, an isolated house might not suit you. Consider who you’re sharing a house with, what venues are nearby, and how easy socialising might be.

• Privacy and independence. If you want privacy, a ten-person house share or halls isn’t going to suit you. Try to consider how important privacy is to you, and what you might need to sacrifice to make that happen. There are happy mediums, with studio rooms in private student accommodation, like those that Unite Students offer.

• Proximity and convenience. The difference between being five minutes from campus and 50 is huge. If convenience is important to you, then you’re going to want to prioritise those properties near campus above all else.

• Flexibility. If you need flexibility, you may want to consider options that can accommodate that. Some private student accommodations can give you a lease agreement that fits your plans. That means you pay for the time you need.

• Long-term plans. If you’re planning to stay in your uni city, you may want to choose an option that lets you remain for more than just your time studying. For example, getting a house share with like-minded people can save you a lot of hassle.

Learn more about how to choose your accommodation in our guide here!

Types of accommodation FAQs

What is a provider-maintained property?

Provider-maintained properties are a type of accommodation owned by the university or a specialised third-party company. They handle repairs, upkeep, bills and management for hassle-free living. This could include halls or private student accommodation.

What is dual-occupancy student accommodation?

Dual-occupancy student accommodation is when two students share a private room or studio apartment, making it more affordable. Usually, this is a larger room with space for two beds and desks.

What are private sector halls?

Private-sector halls are student residences such as flats or houses operated by a company and specialised for student living. These are not owned by the university, but offer better living standards and options than uni halls.