If you’re starting uni in September, your chosen university might have offered you a place in their halls of residence. You might be wondering what ‘halls of residence’ means and if this is the only option for your first-year accommodation.
Split The Bills have put together this blog with everything you need to know, including:
Halls of residence are a type of student accommodation. Most university halls of residence are only available to first-year students, and some universities guarantee that all their first-year students will have a place in their halls.
Once you’ve accepted your place at your chosen university, you should get information about how to apply for your first-year accommodation. If you’re going through clearing, it can be a little more complex – check out our blog, ‘Can you get accommodation through clearing?’, for more information.
University halls of residence are typically located on or close to campus, making them a super convenient option. Most student halls consist of single rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchens, though you can also get ensuite rooms or even self-contained studio flats. You’ll be able to choose from catered rooms (where some or all your meals are provided) or self-catered options (where you’ll need to buy and cook your food yourself).
University halls of residence are owned and managed by your university, but there are also many private halls of residence in student cities. These are similar to university halls of residence, but they’re privately run and usually open to all students (potentially from different universities).
Some universities partner with private halls and reserve rooms for their students. This is usually if they don’t have enough space in their own halls.
There’s a reason why most first-year students opt to live in university halls – they’re an awesome experience and the best way to make friends with other students!
Here are some more benefits of living in halls of residence:
Of course, living in university halls isn’t for everyone. Here are some downsides:
Your Student Finance maintenance loan can help you pay for student accommodation costs. To make things easier, the payment dates for your accommodation fees will usually coincide with your termly student loan instalments. Be aware that you also need money for your living costs, so don’t opt for the most expensive accommodation without considering if you can really afford it.
You might also be asked to pay for your accommodation deposit. You’ll get this back once you move out (provided there’s no damage to your room).
According to Save The Student’s 2023 accommodation survey, the average cost for university halls of residence was £596 per month. Private halls were slightly more expensive (£613 per month), while privately owned student housing was slightly less (£525 per month).
Although most first-year students opt to live in university halls, you don’t have to. You can opt for privately owned shared accommodation instead – this is where you’ll likely be living in your second year anyway.
Unlike halls where you can select your preferences but aren’t guaranteed your preferred accommodation (especially if it’s popular), living in private accommodation means you have complete control over where you live. Plus, you can choose your housemates, so it’s the perfect choice if you already know who you want to live with!
One of the main downsides of living in private shared accommodation is having to handle the household bills yourself. So, when you’re ready to move out of halls and into your second year, the good news is that bills don’t have to be a chore – you can always opt for a bill-splitting service to make your life easier…
At Split The Bills, we do the hard work of setting up utility accounts and direct debits. You choose the services you want included in your package, including uncapped energy, water, broadband and even a TV Licence. There’s no worrying about splitting bills with your housemates or calling energy suppliers – all you need to do is pay one neat bill each month!
If you want a stress-free way to pay shared household bills, you can find out more about what we do or get in touch with our team!
The move from first to second year at university often comes with a lot of change as most students will have to start paying bills for the first time. In this feature we discuss how you can keep your finances organised and pay bills responsibly.
The move from first to second year at university often comes with a lot of change as most students will have to start paying bills for the first time. In this feature we discuss how you can keep your finances organised and pay bills responsibly.
As a student, it’s crucial that you spend your money in the most effective ways possible, and one of the best ways to do this is by finding student discounts wherever you can.