University accommodation: halls, private halls and shared houses

Where a student lives in the first year shapes a large part of their university experience: friendships, routine, safety and cost. For students arriving from Türkiye, it is also part of the practical planning that has to be done before the visa and the flight. Here is how the main options compare, and what to check before anything is signed.

University halls of residence

Most universities offer halls of residence that they own or manage, and many first-year students live in them. Rooms are usually single, with either an en-suite bathroom or shared facilities. Halls may be catered, with some meals included, or self-catered, with a shared kitchen. They are usually close to campus or well connected to it, have support staff, and make it easy to meet people.

Many universities guarantee or prioritise a room for first-year students who meet certain conditions. The University of York's guarantee for 2026/27, for example, covered new full-time first-year undergraduates, UK or international, who had chosen York as their firm or insurance choice, or held an unconditional firm offer, and who applied for accommodation by 31 July 2026. Students who came through Clearing had a separate, later deadline. Conditions like these are why accommodation belongs on your list as soon as the student replies to offers; we explain those replies in firm and insurance offers.

Private halls

Purpose-built student accommodation run by private companies is common in most university cities. It often offers studios and en-suite rooms, with gyms, study spaces and social areas, sometimes at a higher price than university halls. Some private halls work in partnership with a university; others are entirely independent. Before you sign, check:

• the length of the contract, and whether it covers summer weeks the student may not need
• what is included: bills, internet and contents insurance
• the cancellation policy if the visa or the university place falls through
• the journey time to the student's department, not just to the city centre
• who to contact out of hours, and how quickly repairs are handled

Shared houses and the new rules in England

From the second year, many students rent a house or flat with friends from a private landlord. It is often cheaper and more independent, but it brings responsibility for bills, cleaning and dealing with the landlord. Many universities and students' unions offer housing advice, so ask them to look at a contract before it is signed, and agree with housemates in advance how bills will be shared.

In England, private renting changed on 1 May 2026 under the Renters' Rights Act. According to GOV.UK, most private tenancies are now periodic, with no fixed end date, and tenants can usually end them by giving two months' notice. A landlord cannot ask for or accept rent before the tenancy agreement is signed, and after signing can ask for no more than one month's rent in advance. For student houses in multiple occupation, a landlord may be able to use a special ground to ask students to leave at the end of the academic year. Different rules apply to student halls, and Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own systems.

Private landlords often ask for a UK-based guarantor. International students without one should ask landlords or agents early how they handle this under the current rules.

Costs to plan for

• rent, usually paid in instalments; check the schedule against when money will arrive from Türkiye
• a deposit or reservation fee, and the conditions for getting it back
• food, especially in self-catered accommodation
• bedding, kitchen items and contents insurance if they are not included
• transport to campus

A household in which everyone is a full-time student does not have to pay Council Tax, although the students may need to apply for the exemption if a bill arrives. For a fuller picture of living costs, see our guide to building a realistic study budget.

Questions for parents to ask

• Is accommodation guaranteed for my child, and what is the deadline to apply?
• Can my child stay in the room over the Christmas and Easter holidays?
• Is there quiet or alcohol-free accommodation, or single-gender flats, if that matters to us?
• What support is available if my child is unwell, unhappy or homesick?
• Is there suitable accommodation for students who are still under 18 when the course starts?
• How are deposits protected, and when are they returned?

How YES can help

We help families weigh accommodation alongside the course choice, so that the practical questions are answered before contracts are signed. Find out more about our university support or contact us.

This article is general guidance, not legal or immigration advice. Rules change; always check the official sources before you apply.