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How
to find the right place to live
One of
the first things you should research immediately after gaining
a place to study is a place to live. Thankfully, finding a
place to live will not demand much of your time and effort
as choosing a course or institution. Many institutions guarantee
first year accommodation to all new international students
and almost all have accommodation officers who can help you
to find accommodation that best suits your specific needs
and budget. But the demand for accommodation, particularly
in the higher education sector, is growing every year, that
you should start your search as soon as you have been accepted
onto a course.
Usually
institutions send an accommodation application form along
with your offer letter, but this is limited to institution
owned accommodation. If you need private accommodation, you
should contact the institution for help to reserve a place.
In both the cases, you may need to sign in some documents
and pay deposit before you arrive. The major types of accommodation
available to international students are discussed below. Your
choice may depend on a number of factors including the kind
of person you are, special requirements (dietary, disability)
you have, budget, proximity to campus and facilities available.
If you are having any special dietary requirements, you should
choose self-catered halls or private accommodation. The cost
of accommodation varies according to the location and services
provided.
If you
want private accommodation, you should contact the institution's
accommodation office. They often maintain the list of private
residences available for rent in the area. They may be able
to advice you on the most convenient location to live, legal
issues of signing contracts, and rent to pay.
Halls
of residence: Halls
of residence are owned and managed by the institutions. The
major benefits of living in halls include: (i) they are situated
close to or within the campus (ii) they give an opportunity
to live with a large group of students, so that you can get
to know people of different diversity and involve with various
social activities of the institution. Usually these are centrally
heated, single study bedrooms with shared bathroom, sporting
and recreational facilities. But en-suite shower/toilet facilities
are becoming common these days.Halls offer a great deal of
privacy and at the same time give you the opportunity to socialise
with a large number of people. Halls of residence are either
single sex (male or female only) or mixed (both male and female).
International students are given preference in allocation
and many institutions guarantee a room in halls, at least
for the first year of study, provided you apply by the last
date. Many halls provide you a bed, a desk, a desk chair,
an easy chair, a wardrobe, carpets, curtains, bookshelves
and a washbasin. An electric socket may also be provided for
the use of computer, printer, television, desktop lamp, stereo.
Many also give a refrigerator and a telephone connection -
capable of r receiving and making internal, national and international
calls. You can bring anything as you wish to make your room
as your home. You can bring/hire computer, television, posters,
stereo, lamps, dolls, curtains etc. During Vacations: For
international students who cannot go home during vacations
like Christmas and Easter, accommodation may still be available.
Extra charge may be made, although some offer it free of charge.
Catering services may not be available but you may have access
to Kitchen to make your own food. If you are going home for
the holidays, check out whether your accommodation has a storage
space to store your luggage, as they are considered more secure.
University Apartments:
University
apartments
are usually reserved for married students and visiting faculties.
If you are thinking of moving your family with you, then you
have to apply early, since these types of accommodation are
very limited (and hence always in demand) in the UK. Do not
think that you can travel with your family and you can arrange
accommodation later. It is very difficult to find suitable
family accommodation and is expensive than you think. Flats,
Houses: (University owned and private accommodation)
Flats
and houses
are shared with a group of people or you can own yourself.
Flats usually have 3 to 5 single study bedrooms, a kitchen,
dining room, bathroom and toilet. These type of accommodation
are helpful once you have made some friends. Electricity,
Gas, Telephone and Water charges are not usually included
in the rent, and are calculated on a monthly basis. Usually
you are required to sign in 'lease agreement' and pay deposit.
It's a good idea to choose a furnished accommodation, because
it is expensive to purchase/rent furniture, refrigerator,
freezer, washing machine, coking utensils, sheets and towels.
Homestay:
Homestay
accommodation provides you an opportunity to live with a local
family. It offers you a wonderful opportunity to explore a
different culture, lifestyle than that of yours and a quick
way to integrate into British society. Many British families
offer homestay accommodation to international students. You
probably have to share the bathroom and kitchen facilities,
but offered an individual study bedroom. There are two types
of arrangements possible: (1) you cook your own meals (2)
the host cooks meals for you. If you decide to cook your own
food, have a look at the cooking facilities available, as
this is usually very basic.
Temporary
Accommodation:
We strongly advice you to arrange some form of temporary accommodation
if: your parents or family is travelling with you to the UK
you have not arranged permanent accommodation or you are in
the waiting list for your permanent accommodation you are
arriving earlier than start date say a week (for sightseeing
or to get know your surroundings) if you are arriving in the
UK late in the evening The
various types of temporary accommodation available in the
UK are:
Hostels:
Hostels are big buildings with individual rooms and are usually
run by charitable organizations. Both single rooms and family
suites are generally available. Some provide meals and some
allow you to prepare your own food. There are more than 240
Youth Hostels in England and Wales. Hotels: Hotels are expensive,
but useful form of temporary accommodation. Although rooms
are available without booking, you are advised to book while
you are still in your home country, particularly if you are
coming to big cities such as London or if you are bringing
your family with you. Many big hotels have online booking
facility. Different classification schemes are used to rate
the hotels like 3star, 5star etc.
Guest
Houses: Guest
houses are similar to hotels, but much cheaper. Many provide
meals, but unlike restaurant in hotels here you've no or little
choice. Bed and Breakfast: This is the cheapest form of temporary
accommodation. These are usually single house with bed and
bathroom. The rent includes the morning breakfast. This form
of accommodation is strongly adviced if you are arriving in
the UK late in the evening and when you are traveling during
your stay in the UK.
Steps
to get accommodated: Receive and accept unconditional
offer from the institution You will be mailed a student accommodation
hand book which will give comprehensive information about
various accommodation options available. Make a special request,
if you need private accommodation. Make your choice and send
the form to the accommodation officer. The officer will then
send you the agreement. Sign the agreement and attach the
necessary deposit.
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