Accommodation

The following accommodation options will usually be available to you:

• Halls of Residence
• Off-campus
• Taking a room or rooms in a shared/flat
• Living at home
• Renting a room in a family home

Halls of Residence

This is usually the preferred option for first year students. Normally, most people will opt for halls at first and then move off-campus for the rest of their university career.

Standards of accommodation will vary dramatically both within and between universities. Typically you will either end up with an institution-type set up (long corridors with rooms off each side) or a flat set up where you will share a bathroom and a kitchen with 4-6 others. The norm is to get a room to yourself but, in some cases, you may be forced to share.

Off-campus - Sharing a flat/house with friends

This remains the most common option for non-first year students. You will need to find some friends you met in your first year to do this.  If you can find one who is a good cook and another who likes to clean you are in luck!  You will have to start worrying about things like bills and contracts and it may not equate to civilisation but it certainly will be closer to it than most of the other options outlined here.

Taking a room or rooms in a shared/flat

This is similar to the above except that you don't know anybody before you arrive. Best not to watch the film Shallow Grave if this is the way you are going.

Living at home

Nothing really changes.  You will save a stack load of money but will you have a real "university experience"? You should balance your finance situation v the experience you are looking for here. You will get your washing done, food cooked but the downside to this option is it is likely to make meeting new people, having booze-ups at home, romantic evenings in, and all that "finding yourself" stuff, just that much more difficult.

Renting a room in a family home

Like living at home but its not just your family! The primary advantage is that invariably you will be living somewhere comfortable and the cooking (if offered) tends to be better than your alternatives. The disadvantage is that the families timetable will be different to yours. Staggering in at 4am with a kebab without your key won't be appreciated and neither will you like the revenge of the screaming kids waking you at 6.00 a.m.

Getting a place

Most universities try to guarantee all first years a place in halls and will frequently send you the relevant documentation automatically (but not always). If you gain a place through clearing you may miss the boat so get in touch with the accommodation office at the earliest opportunity. Always make sure that you confirm your place as soon as you know which university you are going to. For all other accommodation your accommodation office is your best starting point. Local newspapers, letting agencies and notice boards are also good.