Halls
University halls
The traditional option for first year students, these are managed by the university and offer a good stepping stone from living at home to living independently.
Private student halls
A second option in some areas is a room in a purpose-built student living complex owned by a private company. Factor in which bills are included, what facilities are onsite, and how far it is from campus.
Questions to ask about university halls
Try to see one or two halls of residence on an open day – you’ll probably be taken to the best on offer, but it’s a great
time to do some fact finding.
What do they need to pack?
Must-take items
- Clothes – don’t pack everything! Enough for that term will do.
- Bedding – duvet, sheets, pillows, and towels.
- Bathroom – toiletries, medication, and a small first aid kit.
- Laundry – washing products, laundry bag, and drying rack.
- Electronics – laptop, printer, extension leads, and chargers.
- Kitchen – cutlery, crockery, glasses, pots, pans, and basic gadgets such as a kettle and toaster, if these won’t be provided (check with the accommodation first).
- Admin – passport, driving licence, NHS medical card, National Insurance number, and all important correspondences with the university.
- Food basics – coffee, tea bags, cereal, cooking oil, tins, and condiments.
- Some home comforts – a few special extras reminding them of home can help them settle in.
Find the right accommodation
Finding somewhere they’ll be happy to live is an important consideration for your child when choosing where to study. Use UCAS’ accommodation search to find both uni and private student accommodation, and help them make the right choice.
Accommodation search
Alternative accommodation
Private accommodation
A good option for mature students, and those who missed out on halls because they applied late or through Clearing, but it can be a big leap from living at home.
Staying at home
It can work out well for students to continue living at home – as long as you’re happy for them to stay! They may need to make more effort to get out and socialise to meet other students, but they’ll save money and avoid the hassle of moving.