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Understanding the Different Types of Student Accommodation
Once the decision to go to university has been made, the next big decision is where to live. While traditionally halls of residence may have been the go-to choice, there are other options available which can give your child a greater sense of independence outside of the University campus.
When looking at University halls of residence vs private accommodation, there are a few things to consider, such as location preferences, budget and on-site amenities.
While off-campus, purpose-built student accommodation may previously have been considered a secondary choice as they are perceived to be removed from university life, the opposite is actually true. Collegiate UK properties are all located within proximity of the university and ideally situated to give access to shopping, activities and nightlife in some of the UK’s most vibrant cities and towns.
Collegiate UK properties encompass a range of accommodation types to support all budgets – and with comfortable, furnished living accommodation set within buildings with a focus on social spaces, it makes them a great option for first-year students and those seeking to make friends and integrate into university life quickly. Our residences are always a popular choice, with our excellent support services and transparent inclusive rent covering everything including utilities, high-speed internet, and even contents insurance – it makes budgeting a little easier for that first time away from home.
However, we find that many students return year after year to our properties rather than opting for private accommodation. With a variety of set ups including modern studio apartments, cluster flats and shared accommodation, it’s a perfect choice for second- and third-year students looking for somewhere to live with friends. It gives all the benefits and privacy of a privately rented house or flat, but with the added upside of all-inclusive rents, security and a supportive team on site to help with anything from maintenance, parcel deliveries and organising social events.
What is the Best Student Accommodation for My Child?
As parents, you will undoubtedly be asking yourself, What is the best student accommodation for my child? This is not a decision you will take lightly; it will be something you decide on together. Balancing your child’s needs and preferences along with your own concerns and priorities as a parent will help to shape the right decision.
Understanding what is most important to your child is a good place to start – is it proximity to campus, social opportunities within the living environment, privacy, or affordability?
Location and safety will undoubtedly rank highly for both of you and Collegiate UK prides itself on safety being a number one priority – with secure access to buildings, monitored security and on-site support among some of our many safety features. All our properties are located near to the major UK universities so they will never have far to travel to or from lectures or the library.
If your child thrives in quiet environments our self-contained accommodation gives them high-quality and stylish surroundings in which they can relax and study, with social spaces for them to use when they would like to. Conversely, more social individuals will enjoy the communal living aspects of our properties – along with organised events and gatherings exclusively for our residents. Allowing your child to feel independent while ensuring they are integrated into a community is an important balance to strike.
Visiting potential accommodation options together, if possible, can help you both feel confident in the choice, ensuring it aligns with your child’s lifestyle while giving you peace of mind. Why not book a tour at one of our properties – simply contact our accommodation team here to book a visit. Remote viewings are also an option if you have far to travel and our residence team is on hand if you want to call to discuss what you’re looking for and they can then tailor a tour to you and your child specifically.
Private vs University Halls: Which is Right for Your Child?
When you embark on the journey of choosing university accommodation for your child, the choice can be overwhelming and hard to know which option is best. Being part of a community is an important part of university life and both university halls and private, purpose-built student accommodation will offer your child the chance to integrate themselves into social circles.
Proximity to campus is ideal as it reduces commute time and helps students engage more fully in university life, however off-campus private student accommodation for university students provides access to wider facilities such as public transport, shops, nightlife and the wider community and is good for striking a balance as it gives a greater flavour of independent living.
The option between purpose-built private student accommodation and converted private homes is worth looking at and understanding how they differ. Having purpose-built student accommodation gives you all the benefits of halls of residence with on-site facilities, support teams and shared spaces, but with a greater feeling of independent living, nestled within the city. Private homes, also referred to as houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs), are shared houses where students will rent from a private landlord. Depending on the arrangement and contract, additional costs may need to be budgeted for on top of the rent so it’s worth asking these sorts of questions when looking at this as an option so there are no surprises.
Knowing that your child is in a secure building, with additional onsite support should they need it is a huge comfort factor for many parents. Whether that’s someone signing for a parcel for them, fixing broken lights, managing onsite security or helping with a lost key, the added bonus of having an onsite team at each of our Collegiate UK properties is hugely valuable to our residents.
Budget is another crucial factor, as students should choose an option that aligns with their finances and ensures they have enough for other living expenses. Knowing what their monthly expenditure is for living costs will greatly reduce anxiety around the unknowns. Collegiate UK properties offer an all-inclusive rent which includes all utilities, high-speed internet, security, support services, maintenance and access to all shared spaces which can include gym facilities, cinemas, games areas, karaoke rooms, free-to-use bikes and more!
There are advantages and disadvantages to each housing option so it’s important to weigh up what’s important for you and your child and the environment in which they will be most comfortable.
Introducing Collegiate UK – Your Partner in Purpose-Built Student Accommodation
Collegiate UK is an award-winning provider of purpose-built student accommodation for university students.
Our collection of stylish and comfortable residences that cater to a range of budgets and locations across the UK are designed to make that first time living away from home an enjoyable and exciting experience – all while you, as parents, are safe in the knowledge that the accommodation is modern, secure and centred around the wellbeing of all students.
Choosing the right accommodation for your child can make a world of difference in helping you feel confident about their transition to university life. By choosing a Collegiate UK property, it can positively impact their university experience (and yours!) – our well-designed residences create a community hub by offering shared spaces such as kitchens, lounges, and study rooms where they can connect and collaborate with others – while also having their own quiet and comfortable space to return to when needed.
Student wellbeing is a top priority at all our properties – whether that’s how our spaces are designed for sociable living, to our on-site teams all being fully Mental Health First Aid trained – there is always plenty of support if your child is struggling to adjust to their new surroundings.
If your child is joining us from abroad, our teams can help assist with 360° tours of the properties, and support with everything they need to get set up in the UK – with advice on how to open a bank account, set up a mobile phone or travelling within the UK.
Choosing Purpose-Built Student Accommodation: The Collegiate UK Advantage
When you embark on the journey of choosing university accommodation for your child, the choice can be overwhelming and hard to know which option is best. Being part of a community is an important part of university life and both university halls and private, purpose-built student accommodation will offer your child the chance to integrate themselves into social circles.
Proximity to campus is ideal as it reduces commute time and helps students engage more fully in university life, however off-campus private student accommodation for university students provides access to wider facilities such as public transport, shops, nightlife and the wider community and is good for striking a balance as it gives a greater flavour of independent living.
The option between purpose-built private student accommodation and converted private homes is worth looking at and understanding how they differ. Having purpose-built student accommodation gives you all the benefits of halls of residence with on-site facilities, support teams and shared spaces, but with a greater feeling of independent living, nestled within the city. Private homes, also referred to as houses of multiple occupancy (HMOs), are shared houses where students will rent from a private landlord. Depending on the arrangement and contract, additional costs may need to be budgeted for on top of the rent so it’s worth asking these sorts of questions when looking at this as an option so there are no surprises.
Knowing that your child is in a secure building, with additional onsite support should they need it is a huge comfort factor for many parents. Whether that’s someone signing for a parcel for them, fixing broken lights, managing onsite security or helping with a lost key, the added bonus of having an onsite team at each of our Collegiate UK properties is hugely valuable to our residents.
Budget is another crucial factor, as students should choose an option that aligns with their finances and ensures they have enough for other living expenses. Knowing what their monthly expenditure is for living costs will greatly reduce anxiety around the unknowns. Collegiate UK properties offer an all-inclusive rent which includes all utilities, high-speed internet, security, support services, maintenance and access to all shared spaces which can include gym facilities, cinemas, games areas, karaoke rooms, free-to-use bikes and more!
You can find out what is available at each property by searching for your chosen property here.
There are advantages and disadvantages to each housing option so it’s important to weigh up what’s important for you and your child and the environment in which they will be most comfortable.
Why Safety is a Priority at Collegiate UK
Safe student accommodation is at the top of every parent’s list for their child, especially as students may be living independently for the first time. When they are away from home you want to feel assured that they are living in an environment that not only provides a safe space to live in and gives them the privacy they need from time to time but also gives them access to support services if they are struggling.
Across the collection of Collegiate UK properties, safety is a top priority. Our purpose-built student accommodation combines comfortable and stylish accommodation in a secure environment – with things like secure access to the buildings, 24/7 CCTV, onsite security and support and even secure bike stores.
At Collegiate UK, safe accommodation encompasses not only their physical safety, but also their mental wellbeing – our onsite team is available to support our residents with any number of things and with daily interactions through things like collecting their parcels, room maintenance, cleaning, signing up for events and entertainment there is a great sense of community and familiarity. The teams build connections to all of the residents in the building and are able to interact and keep an eye on them throughout the days and weeks. Our Accommodation Managers are all Mental Health First Aid trained so are experienced in recognising students who may be struggling to adjust and can decide on the appropriate steps to support. We also have strong links with all Universities in all our cities, so there will always be somebody on hand to support your child if they need help adjusting to university life.
Affordability: High-Quality Yet Affordable Student Accommodation
Budgeting for your child to go to university is something you’ve probably thought about for a while, but finding affordable student accommodation in the UK that ticks all of the boxes and gives you peace of mind when it comes to security and safety can feel a little overwhelming.
It can of course be a worrying time sending your child away to university and even more so if it is bringing additional financial worries, which is why Collegiate UK offers a range of accommodation options to suit all budgets and offers flexible pricing options to help you choose the right room for you and your son or daughter.
The main benefit is the all-inclusive rental cost which covers rent, utilities, heating and even contents insurance, making it easier to plan so you don’t have to worry about additional charges and costs. Keeping your child connected is critical, both for their academic studies and also keeping in touch with friends and family further afield – high-speed internet and Wi-Fi is included and available throughout the building and in all bedrooms.
Rooms come fully furnished with stylish and modern décor, so your packing list and things to buy before moving into your Collegiate UK room is minimal – you can browse each room’s layout and contents on the website so you can plan what you need to buy in advance. Contents insurance is included in your stay with us at no extra cost – you simply need to register to be covered, the details of which are in your Resident Handbook. Room repairs and maintenance are also covered in the cost so there won’t be any unforeseen costs ahead.
Many of our properties also have their own on-site fitness suites free to use for all residents, so you can save money on your monthly gym membership with the convenience of working out in your own building. Also included in the monthly cost are exclusive residents’ events – organised to support the students and bring residents together to foster a communal hub.
Helping Your Child Make the Right Choice
As with any decision it must be right for you and your child and while it can be overwhelming to factor in all the criteria, in our experience, these are the main areas to consider and discuss with your child:
- Location – proximity to campus is obviously an important factor but consider other aspects too. Being close to transport links to visit friends or head home for the weekend, shops and local activities could all be deciding factors for your preferred location.
- Safety – Probably number one on the list for university accommodation for parents is the safety and security of their child’s accommodation. Ensure there are security measures in place that give you both peace of mind – secure entry systems, CCTV and on-site staff all give you both the reassurances that you need.
- Wellbeing – With so much change it can be unsettling, and some may find it harder than others to adjust to independent living while making new friends. From 24-hour helplines and access to a portal with guides and health-checks, to our Accommodation Managers onsite who will get to know your child over the course of their stay, there are lots of touchpoints to give your child the support they need.
- Community – The first few days away from home can be daunting, choosing somewhere like a Collegiate UK property where there are organised events for residents throughout the year can help your child break the ice in those early days and beyond. The social and wellbeing aspect is very much at the heart of what we do. Alongside our Resident Ambassadors we have a year-round Resident Experience Framework designed to ensure we are supporting our residents across four key pillars – Wellbeing, Memorable Experiences, Lifestyle and Culture and Community Building.
- Budget – Helping your child learn to budget is an important life lesson, but with so much change when moving away from home, our all-inclusive rents help to ease the pressure a little by making this as straight-forward and stress-free as possible. Our range of accommodation choices mean there will be something for every budget – all of which have access to the same shared spaces and facilities in the building giving you more than just a room. Payments can be made in instalments, which align with when student loan payments are issued which will also help with financial planning.
- Facilities – What facilities are important for your child? Access to a gym, included in the cost, communal TV rooms to chill out in with friends, or modern and stylish kitchens and dining spaces to entertain with newfound friends?
Above all – communication is key. Listening to your child about what’s important to them and talking to them about your priorities will help you arrive at a decision that makes you both comfortable in that all important first experience living away from home.