If you’re wondering, ‘How is university accommodation paid for?’ then don’t worry, we’ve outlined the essential information in this blog.
- How university accommodation is usually paid for
- Tips on how to budget for your accommodation
- Other important factors to think about with your university accommodation
How university accommodation is usually paid for
The big difference between university-owned accommodation and private options are that the terms and conditions can vary. With university-owned accommodation, all of the payment options available to you will be clearly presented with no hidden extras. And you can always get in touch with the university if you’re unsure about something.
Privately-owned accommodation can all be different, so it’s important you check with each option you’re considering to see how you can pay.
At Newcastle University, for example, there are several ways you can make accommodation payments. You can either pay in full from the start or set up a direct debit.
Payment in full
You have the option to make an early rent repayment for your full academic year. You might even receive a 2% discount on your accommodation rent if you pay by the discounted deadline stated in your contract.
However, this only applies to Newcastle University-owned accommodation. So, make sure you double check with any other universities you apply for as not all of them will offer the same options and discounts.
Direct debit
The most popular way students in the UK choose to pay for their accommodation is by direct debit. This means you can spread your payments throughout a year if you wish, without paying everything at once.
For this, you’ll need a UK bank account so that you can set up a direct debit. You can open this account once you’ve arrived in the UK. This means you’re authorising the bank to automatically pay your accommodation charges when it’s due, so that’s one less thing to remember.
At Newcastle University, you'll need to provide your UK bank details by 9 October 2019 in order to pay by direct debit. If you’re unable to do so by the 9 October, please contact the Accommodation Team who will explain your options to you.
This information can vary from university to university. To keep up to date with direct debit options, how you can pay in instalments and the instalment dates, click here.
Tips on how to budget for your accommodation
Your university accommodation is likely to be your main expense as an international student in the UK, so it’s important that you budget properly so you can continue paying your rent.
Or, if you’ve paid in full for the academic year already, then you don’t need to worry about any monthly payments.
The cost of accommodation can vary depending on the size of your accommodation, the location and the facilities that are available.
Location
Look for accommodation that’s either on-campus or closer to the edge of a city. This is because the accommodation that’s in the city centre can be more expensive.
Plus, the North of England also tends to be much cheaper than the South in terms of living expenses, so keep that in mind when you’re looking at universities.
Shared accommodation
It can also be cheaper if you look for shared accommodation with other students rather than living by yourself. It’s an easy way to make lifelong friends and by splitting the costs, you can save a lot of money.
Think about your spending habits
Make sure you don’t spend all of your money at once! Enjoy yourself, but do it in moderation. Just make sure you always have enough money to pay for your accommodation.
To help, it could be beneficial to learn how you can budget easily.
Other important factors to think about with your university accommodation
Depending on the type of accommodation you choose, there are still other things you need to think about other than the actual cost of where you’ll be staying. These include:
- check to see that the contracts cover your entire stay
- bills like water, gas and electricity
- if you need to pay for WiFi or if this is provided to you
- if your accommodation is furnished or not
- if your goods will be insured or if this is something you’ll need to pay for
These are all things you should know before you move into your accommodation. In university halls of residence, like Newcastle University, everything above will already be taken care of for you.
Now that you know how university accommodation is paid for (and some extra tips to keep in mind), keep track of all of your other applications ahead of your exciting move to the UK.
What else you need to know before moving to the UK
The diversity, unique cultures and world-class universities are just some of the many reasons why international students love the UK as a place to live and study. Our International Students page is full of information on student visas, English language requirements, virtual open days and student life insights.
