Many students make more friends in and around their place of residence than in the classroom. A wise choice of accommodation can also save you time and money. Since many of you are away from your families, make sure you can create the best home away from home.
Living in halls or a private house has advantage and disadvantages. Most of the halls are on campus, fully furnished, run by the university for the students, with fully-catered and self-catering facilities. If you live in hall you do not need to worry about paying utility bills as the rent take cares of it all. Most of the rooms in halls of residence are single study bedrooms with shared common facilities. You are also free to make your own accommodation arrangements, including renting a flat or house of your own or with other students, staying with friends or relatives, or taking a room in a family house. Most degree level students in the UK have to make their own arrangements of this kind in second and third years, but often stay in properties registered with and approved by the university.
Almost all universities offer both self-catered and fully-catered facilities in their halls of residences. In a catered hall your rent includes the food. Catered halls serve food three times a day on weekdays and limited service on weekends.
Halls of residence offering self-catering facilities have common kitchens usually shared amongst eight people. The kitchens are fully equipped and provide fridges, freezers and cookers, as well as crockery, cutlery and cooking utensils.
