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Different types of student accommodation in Birmingham: the ultimate guide

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Tracy Downey
Different types of student accommodation in Birmingham: the ultimate guide

It always feels great to get enrolled at the university of your choice. Birmingham is a beautiful place and thus students are very excited to come here and study. Now you have got to sort out your student accommodation, which can be an overwhelming job considering you are not in the UK yet. 


Luckily, you will come across some amazing options. In this article, you can read about different types of accommodation with the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. 


University-run accommodation


Living in university accommodation is one of the popular choices for first-year students. It is a great way to meet other students and make friends. The halls are normally located quite close to the university, which is handy if you are new to the area. 


Room costs vary between the universities. However, this option is by far the most economical and your rent will probably include different bills. Some universities offer meal plans too. Most universities offer international students a place in student halls only if they meet the application deadline. 


Pros about living in university-run accommodation 


  1. Generally close to the campus 
  2. Meet other students at the university 
  3. It is an economical option 


Cons about living in university-run accommodation  


  1. You often share a kitchen and sometimes a bathroom with other students
  2. The room is quite small 
  3. The place can be quite noisy


Rent a house or flat privately 


In the UK, there is always a good supply of student accommodation Birmingham near the universities. This option may suit if you want to live with your friends or move to the UK with your family. You can select to rent a whole place or take a room, that is called a flat or house share and could mean you end up sharing with students. You need to find the property yourself and rent often excludes the bills, such as water, gas, broadband, and electricity, which you will have to sort out yourself.  


Pros about a private house or flat


  1. Living in a house or flat is one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in living in the UK and getting to know the locals. You can easily get involved with the local culture. 
  2. There is greater privacy and you can save money by cooking at home. 
  3. You will have better privacy and choose to live on your own. 
  4. Enjoy a calmer, tidier, and quieter environment.


Cons about a private house or flat


  1. Neighborhoods that are most convenient for your travel to university might be wealthy. 
  2. In most cases, you will be responsible for all the bills, maintaining the property, etc. 
  3. If you don’t live with other students, you can find it difficult to make friends which could lead to solitude. 


Living with a host family


If you are looking for a home away from home, consider living with a host family. Different websites can pair international students with local host families, depending on what they require. You will need to fill out an application to help narrow down what you need and then you will be presented with some options that best match. For an instance, you can select to stay with a host family, which offers meal plans including breakfast and dinner. 


Pros about living with a host family 


  1. Can help you settle into the new home faster and avoid any culture shock
  2. Your rent will include different bills and meals
  3. Your university should be an easy commute from your host family


Cons about living with a host family 


  1. You might feel disconnected from university life 
  2. It is unlikely you will be able to invite friends 
  3. There will be more restrictions


on Private purpose-built student accommodation 


Private student accommodation in the United Kingdom is generally in newly built multi-story blocks. The benefit of this option is that it often comprises all the bills, contents insurance and internet as well. The rooms are designed and decorated as per high standards. And in most cases, you will


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Tracy Downey
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