How to Choose Between Off-campus and On-campus Accommodation?

On-campus Housing: University Dorms

The university dormitories or halls of residence are a good place to kickstart an international student life. You can meet new people and adapt quickly to the new environment. You don’t have to deal with landlords or service providers since the university officials take care of any maintenance issues and repair works in the accommodation. Halls of residence at Nottingham University and Oxford University have private rooms for students with an all-in-one bill and meal subscriptions. 

Off-campus Housing

1. Private Student Apartments - If you are not comfortable sharing spaces with random people but still can’t live alone, you can move into private studios or Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) with your preferred set of friends. Usually managed by private agencies or trusted accommodation providers, you will have access to all amenities like internet, TV license, gym, electricity, and laundry, in a single bill. The new student accommodation in Coventry, Edinburgh, and other major cities has designated spaces for hanging out with your bunch.
2. Homestay - If the idea of living alone in a faraway land makes you homesick, then you can stay with a local family in the city. Homestays provide a homely environment and a better way to explore the place’s language, culture, and lifestyle. You can stay in a private room, and you can live like a family member sharing the common spaces, chores, and meals. It’s an ideal chance to widen your network and discover hidden gems in the town.

Now that we have covered the student housing options available for international students, here are the factors you want to consider while choosing one. Remember that there is no one option superior to the other; it all comes down to personal preference. You can try with different options until you find the one that suits you best.

Distance from the University

Are you someone who enjoys daily commutes in the metro or train, or does the idea of daily morning trails bother you? Do you like to have all-time access to the on-campus facilities like the library and indoor gym? Do you prefer staying away from the University to have better access to the city and countryside? Answer these questions to understand the optimum distance from the apartment and the campus and weigh it against the options available.

University dorms are conveniently located near the University, whereas off-campus housing takes you away from the campus, demanding daily commutes while offering a more independent life. Decide on the nature of the neighborhood you prefer to choose the location. Homestays are available farther from the campus since families prefer a peaceful site, while the University halls are bustling with night parties and loud hallways.

Availability of the Accommodation

Booking on-campus housing requires you to carry out a lot of paperwork and is often competitive as universities have a limited number of halls to provide to students. Depending on the city and the University, there are different criteria to decide which student gets to stay in a dorm. Students from certain countries are preferred in some places, while high academic records are preferred in others.

Though off-campus housing has better availability and a less stringent screening process, it also requires a lot of effort from your side. You may have to do your research and negotiate with the landlord for a good deal. Here’s a tip: don’t wait till the last minute to confirm a place to stay. If you start early, you will have enough time to go back and forth with different houses.