Your ultimate guide to choosing the right Newcastle student accommodation

With roughly 42,000 students currently residing in the area, Newcastle is a hugely popular student city. Thanks to its affordable cost of living, buzzing nightlife and array of entertainment options – it’s not hard to see why so many students flock over the city.

Renting in a city for the first time away from home can be daunting, and there are so many things to consider. If you’re unsure where to start, don’t worry. In this guide, we explain what to consider when choosing a location, the accommodation options available and anything else you need to consider before making the jump to Newcastle. We also provide some examples of student properties available to help you in your decision!

Click on a link to jump to that section:

Read our quick guide to the popular areas in Newcastle and how to decide on a location.

Find out what types of accommodation are available.

Read our guide to the pros and cons of bills inclusive and non-inclusive bills agreements.

Read our tips on choosing a type of accommodation and how many people to live with.

Where to live – your options

So, you’ve decided you want to study in Newcastle – now what? Here’s a quick summary of the popular student areas in Newcastle to help you choose where to live:

Jesmond

The average cost of renting student accommodation in Newcastle is anywhere between £335-£715 per month, depending on where you stay. Jesmond is an ideal option if you have a smaller budget. A nicely furnished room in a cosy three-bedroom house will cost you little more than an affordable £100 per week! Houses in Jesmond are full of character and offer a unique student experience.

In addition to the affordable housing, Jesmond provides an ideal hotspot for socialites and foodies. On top of offering beautiful scenery, Jesmond won’t leave you short of options for an afternoon brunch!

Find out more about your choices in Jesmond here!

Want to know your options? You can view a large range of affordable student properties in Jesmond here.

Sandyford

A huge benefit of Sandyford is that it is just a short walk from the Newcastle University campus! It is also a great spot for beauty salons, taking a summer evening stroll or having a picnic on one of the many green spaces in the area.

Although less hectic and loud than Jesmond and Heaton, Sandyford still has a lot to offer. You can find nice rooms in Sandyford for around £100 per week, but many will cost less than this. Living in this area will save you money on a bus fare to University each day, which makes it a great option for those with a tight budget.

You can view some attractive properties in Sandyford here.

Do you want to find out more about what Sandyford has to offer? Read our full guide here!

Heaton

Heaton is a small town that seems fairly simple at first but holds many hidden benefits that make it a great place for students, and it is one of the most well-known student areas in Newcastle.

A room in a student house in Heaton can range anywhere from £70 per week to £185 per week. Most rooms come fully furnished, and living here puts you just a short bus ride from Newcastle University.

You can view a variety of student houses in Heaton here.

The City Centre

The city centre is packed with art, culture and entertainment and is a popular destination for tourists and students alike. If you are looking to be in the heart of the

City centre accommodation is slightly pricier than other areas of Newcastle; however, the vibrant life of the city definitely makes up for this! Rooms in a house start from £76 per week but can range up to £250 per week.

Interested in a student house in the city centre? View a wide selection of Newcastle city centre student houses here.

If you need a little more guidance on what the city centre has to offer, read our full guide here.

Student halls

Student halls are a great way to make lifelong friends whilst at University. Luckily, Newcastle has a range of halls available, and first-year students are guaranteed a place. In a student hall, rent will often cover bills, which means that you will only have to worry about one payment each month.

Privately owned halls start from around £115 per week, and halls owned by Newcastle University start at just £93 per week.

Choosing a location in Newcastle – what to consider

Choosing a location to live in Newcastle can be tricky, especially as there are so many popular areas! However, though it may be tempting to rush into an area of Newcastle that looks appealing – first, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is the accommodation within walking distance from local amenities?
  • How far is the accommodation located from the University?
  • Is there public transport available nearby?
  • Do you want a busier area or a quieter area?
  • What kinds of bars, restaurants and shops are in the area?

Read our full guide to choosing a student location in Newcastle here.

Freinds

Types of accommodation

Newcastle offers a range of great accommodation for students, whether you have a comfortable amount to spend or you are trying to find something on the cheaper side. Come the second year of University, many students will move from halls into shared properties in popular student areas. If you’re unsure about moving into a house – don’t worry, Newcastle also offers a large range of student apartments and flats!

View some affordable, attractive accommodation options here!

Most first-year students will live in student halls, which generally come with bills included and are a great way to make friends.

Should I look for a bills inclusive or non-inclusive bills agreement?

One of the main things to consider is whether to look for a bills inclusive or non-inclusive rent agreement. A bills inclusive rent agreement is often an easier choice, as you only have to worry about one payment. Most student accommodation comes with bills included in the rent price, such as electricity, heating, and WiFi.

However, bills inclusive student properties are often more expensive, and it can sometimes work out cheaper to opt for a non-inclusive bills agreement. This can, however, lead to heated discussions over who pays what bill and can often make student life harder. If your bills are non-inclusive, a great way to stay on top of the bills and split them equally is to use Split the Bills’ popular student bill splitting service.

Are bills not included in your rent price?

Don’t worry – Split The Bills can find the best and cheapest providers for you and bundle all your bills into one easy payment. This means you don’t have to have awkward conversations with your housemates about who’s sorting the electricity bill or how much the gas bill is. That way, you can enjoy the benefits of just having one easy-to-manage payment to make each month and spend more time enjoying student life!

  • Choose from our energy packages, superfast broadband, water and a TV licence.
  • Pay the same fixed amount every month and don’t worry about bills!
  • Avoid arguments by everyone paying the same share.
  • We set up the utilities for your house – so sit back, and relax!
  • Less time worrying about bills = more time to enjoy being a student!
Find out more about how Split the Bills can help here.

What type of accommodation should you choose?

In addition to choosing a bills agreement, you should also consider the following points when choosing your accommodation:

Flat or house?

Houses come with gardens and often have lots of space, whereas flats can be cheaper and may have fewer rooms/housemates. This depends on both your budget and the kind of environment you’d feel more comfortable in.

The rent price

Rent price can differ depending on the area you choose to live in, as well as whether you rent in a house or flat. For example, if you opt for the city centre – you should expect the properties to be slightly more expensive to rent than other areas. However – if you want to live at heart of the hustle and bustle in Newcastle, this may be the option for you!

How many people do you want to live with?

Remember to choose your housemates or flatmates wisely, as you don’t want arguments and tension to get in the way of your University experience! If you feel sharing with one or two people would be ideal, opt for a smaller group. However, if you want a large, sociable group – opt for a property with four or more bedrooms!

Still unsure? View a range of apartments and houses available in Newcastle to help you make your choice!

Related content

Choosing student housing in Newcastle city centre

Choosing a student location in Newcastle

Choosing student housing in Jesmond

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