u/Eshita_988

Shortlisting accommodations in the UK could be much simpler with proper guidance and support. Booking a UK student housing could be very different to what you are normally used to. As an international student in the UK, here are some of the ways to shortlist your student accommodation for the 2026 intake!

Start soon: This is my number one suggestion. Different countries have different housing policies, and it is very important to be aware of them. In the UK, student housing is booked a year to six months in advance. Students from any corner of the world can now request a virtual tour of the accommodation and book it. Booking an accommodation late could mean you end up with no accommodation within your preferred budget or criteria.

When I first started my journey as an international student, I made the same mistake of not booking my accommodation even after my CAS process. I nearly ran out of options. I thought I would have to compromise on my budget or live far from my university. That's when, through a friend's references, I reached out to University Living. Upon researching, they had so many verified properties to choose from. Though they helped me shortlist my dream accommodation in just a couple of days, I suggest starting early and having a fair number of options that meet your requirements and budget.

Explore: Starting early means more options than usual. Explore and research properties that fit your budget and preferences. Research different places within your desired city. For example, within Chester, there are multiple places like Hoole (closer to the city centre, hence a dense student population) and Upton (rent could be lower, but requires a commute to the city centre). Depending on your research, you could narrow down potential options and an ideal location. After which, you could request virtual tours and read student feedback to better understand the property you wish to live in. This allows you to narrow down realistic options.

UK guarantor and housing policies: A UK guarantor is someone who would legally pay your rent if you cannot. This is almost a must in every student housing in the UK. In most cases, it is impossible to have a UK guarantor. In this situation, you could choose to rent a UK guarantor from platforms like University Living. While some properties offer flexibility with having an international guarantor – parents/guardians. Based on this, you could decide if you want to move ahead with the property or not.

Most student housing in the UK offers tenancy with bills included. It could be inclusive of electricity, gas, water, and Wi-Fi. It is very important to check if these are inclusive or partial. As an international student, I suggest booking properties with bills included, as it helps you save money. If not, it could get overwhelming to sort bills the very moment you step into the UK. Hence, look for trusted and verified properties ( inclusive of bills )and use student-friendly apps like University Living, as they list verified properties matching your preferences.

Tenancy agreement and Cancellation: Once you have shortlisted your preferred student accommodation, you might potentially have to secure it with a deposit. It could range somewhere between 50-100 Pounds depending on the property. Before that, you might have to sign the agreement. It is very important to read it carefully and understand every term in it. With the help of my accommodation team, I was able to carefully understand my accommodation's terms and conditions. Most tenancies last for about 6-12 months in the UK. If you are looking for short-term tenancy but verified options, you could check out Uninist.

Cancellation policies in the UK could vary depending on the properties. Some might require you to find a tenant if you'd like to end your contract/move out. Some may offer other flexible cancellation policies. Hence, look out for all these loopholes before signing the tenancy agreement.

Following all these, you would be able to secure a safe and verified student accommodation in the UK. It is very important to understand that a lot of students fall victim to unverified listings with the name of "lower/cheaper rent". Do not book your student housing without doing enough homework, as it could indeed cost a lot of money! With these steps, you could easily book your next student accommodation in the UK.

If you'd like to know more or need any assistance with booking your accommodation or knowing more about Chester, feel free to reach out!

I had done a lot of homework before moving to Chester as an international student. I was the first one in my family to move abroad for my master's. It is a privilege to even be here and write about my experience. Chester is a small city with its beautiful Roman history and everything within a reachable distance. When I landed in Chester, it was gloomy, a little rainy and a cosy 6:00 AM morning.  

Just like everyone, I had imagined myself going out every weekend, making friends, living "the" life. But what I had imagined and what I started with were just different. The first week came with silence.  

It was unimaginably quiet, which I was so not used to. It was tough to even think that I had to come back to this silence when I was surrounded by people all my life. It was super cold, and it took me a good 2 hours to understand how the heater worked. With jet lag, I still had to work out how the hob worked so that I could cook my first meal miles away from home. It wasn't easy, but these small things reminded me how much I had started to miss home already. 

Quickly, I realised that I had missed packing a kitchen knife. I used Google Maps to quickly navigate to the nearest supermarket, and it was a mile away. All the shops located within the centre were shut down or did not stock kitchen supplies. It set a new fear in me. With this exploration of supermarkets, I understood how people communicated, and I tried to adapt to it. Initially, it felt like I never belonged there, and I wanted to run away back home, but I didn't let that thought swallow me. 

I had to open a new bank account, register myself with the GP, register for council tax, and look for a part-time job. It honestly felt like there were a lot of things I needed to do. One after the other, I learnt my way through it by reading blogs and articles on student platforms like University Living. Reading the dos and don'ts of a student visa and understanding its complications. I quickly ordered myself a SIM card from University Living as I was familiar with their accommodation help. 

I occupied myself in understanding how the UK education system worked, different certification courses and commuting routes just to break the silence I was surrounded with. It was much easier to binge a series, but unknowingly, I used to find myself zoning out. I understood that the UK education system is structured in a certain way just to allow students to gain more experience whilst studying. And that's exactly how I started to use this silence to improve my technical skills. Honestly, this is one bit I always tell my friends travelling to the UK as a new student. "Use the time in here wisely".  

Shopping is still one of the things I hate doing. The supermarkets from my accommodation are a mile or two away, and it was super hard to even carry them. Initially, it felt like a nightmare, with no friends to help, it felt hard and tough to be doing this. It was exhausting, but I had to keep myself fed. The money conversion in my head hadn't stopped, so I calculated every penny before I spent it. It felt like I was spending money on nothing. It took time, but I slowly cut myself out of this cycle and learned how to budget and meal prep.  

The University of Chester was just a 10min walk from my accommodation. It was one good thing that I had sorted out back home. It still took me some time to understand the traffic and pedestrian rules. I was nervous thinking "is this the right way''? "Am I lost"? "Will I ever find a part-time"? It was endless.  

My first week in Chester as an international student taught me a lot. It taught me independence, the importance of communication, how every little thing matters, and choosing the right accommodation to live in. If you are moving to the UK as an international student, the first week could be a little harsh. But over time, you will realise you have grown in ways you wouldn't have imagined! 

If you wish to seek any suggestions or support before/ after moving to Chester, feel free to reach out!

#UniversityLiving #firstweekabroad #internationalstudentsintheUK #UKaccommodation #chester

Studying abroad is an amazing experience. It exposes you to opportunities, experiences and a journey that you never thought about. I am an international student currently studying at the University of Chester in the UK. Here are some of the honest things that nobody tells you about moving abroad- 

It's only YOU now: Moving abroad means adapting to a new country, a new social group, a new culture and a new way of life. When I first moved to the UK in February, it was cold, gloomy, and rainy. It took me a good amount of time to socialise and find like-minded people. I tried my best to remind myself that this unsettling feeling was okay and it was "temporary". I realised I had grown much closer to my parents, talking to them even if there wasn't anything.  

This taught me how much I had taken things for granted; I started to wish my parents were around. Over time, this feeling faded. My assignments, studies, and part-time job kept me busy with occasional visits to my friend's place. I slowly started decorating my room to how I always wanted, and the feeling of temporary faded. But remember, coming to the UK, the feeling of loneliness will come, but it will pass too! Just remember the purpose of you being in here, and you will start feeling better over time. 

 Everything is your responsibility: When I planned on moving to the UK for my master's, I came prepared. Social media gave me a glimpse of what studying abroad was. I used to watch multiple reels about optimising CVs, strategies for applying for a part-time job, and more. And when I finally moved, I was ready for the competitive UK job market, but I wasn't prepared for the responsibilities. I had learnt strategies to apply for jobs, but not how to manage expenses or plan meals. It's been a year now, and when I reflect, I realise this UK journey has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped me carry responsibilities, such as paying rent, grocery shopping, managing phone bills, meal planning and more. 

If you are planning to move to the UK, remember it is not an easy path. It will push you to extremes, test you, but in the end, the reward is everything. You will grow to be an independent person who values the simplest things! 

 Budgeting could be harder: Spending recklessly in the UK will empty your pockets in no time. Living in the UK could be very expensive, depending on where you live and how far away from the university. The rent could take a fair portion of your paycheque. Which means the remaining is for food, personal care and miscellaneous. As an international student myself, I made sure to open two bank accounts, one for savings and one to receive my wages. I divided my wages and kept a portion for saving, no matter what.  This way I learnt to budget and avoided spending on unnecessary things.

For sending money home, I used services from University Living, which is a student help platform. They ensure to exchange the money for its current rate and ensure that your money reaches safely and securely! Remember, bad budgeting in the UK could cost you. Always keep a chunk of money aside for emergencies. 

 Finding an accommodation could be challenging: Housing in the UK could be quite different to what you are normally used to. When I first started my international journey, I was unaware that most student accommodations are sold out a year or six months prior. I hadn't sorted out my accommodation even after the arrival of my visa. This action came with consequences. It delayed my entry to the UK as most of the options were sold out, and it took time for documentation. 

That's when I reached out to my friend living in London, who recommended University Living. Since their website offers verified properties, it took me a day to find the perfect accommodation right in the middle of the city centre (a 10-minute walk to my Uni). When I reflect, choosing this accommodation has helped me spend more time on studies while allowing me to network and attend events held at the university and the city centre.  

So if you are planning to move to the UK, I would say the first thing is to book your accommodation well in advance, matching your budget and preference. Look for accommodations close by to the university, read reviews and student experiences on their website and choose trusted platforms to book them.

If you are looking for help with accommodation in Chester, do reach out to me! 

#Universityliving #studentsinchester #studyabroad #Uniliv #studentsintheUK

Living in the UK could burn your pockets if not planned properly. As an international student, it is very important to save your money the right way. A simple one-time takeout could cost you 100 Pounds. Hence, it is very important to structure your spending plus save money for emergencies, as living abroad comes with its own surprises.

Where and how will you spend your money, and how much?

Rent: This is where most of your money could be spent. Renting in the UK could get expensive depending on where you live, the type of room (ensuite, studio, or flat) and how well you plan your accommodation before travelling. On average, renting in the UK could be-

A shared flat/room = 400-600£ pcm.

University Halls = 400-900£ pcm

Studio = 800-1000£ pcm

I stay in a studio sharing with my roommate, and my monthly rent is 500 pcm with bills included. If you plan to stay in a studio, I recommend staying with a friend. It allows you to share your room with someone trusted, giving you enough privacy plus dividing the cost. Since most studios could get fully sold out, I suggest seeking support from trusted partners and booking them a year or six months in advance.

Trusted platforms like University Living will help you find verified properties, ensuring that you have no hidden costs in your tenancy contract. It is necessary to understand if your rent is inclusive of bills. As an international student myself, I recommend looking for student halls or student accommodation since they offer rent with bills included.

Transport: If you plan on commuting to the university or your part-time job, it could cost you somewhere between 100-150 pounds a month, depending on the distance and places you would travel. If you plan on saving that extra bit of money, you must choose the right accommodation close by.

This not only saves money but also gives you more time for studies and assignments! From my experience, staying near the university, I don't have to commute. I have seen my friends spend a lot of money on travelling just because they chose cheaper accommodation. But what they don't realise is that they could have spent the same money on accommodation. So, it's always best to start your accommodation journey well in advance.

Food: As an international student living on a budget, I make sure to do my weekly plan for groceries and meal plans. On average, I spend 100 pounds a month on groceries. Rather than spending on ready-to-go meals, I prefer to buy frozen vegetables, canned beans and lentils, which last me for a while and let me play around with meal planning.

Ordering takeout constantly will drain your savings in no time. Hence, it is very important how well you choose to spend money on food. Even if so, you want to order takeout; apps will offer student discounts, which may potentially help you save a little money on takeout.

There were days when I was so exhausted after uni. But my weekly meal plans have been my saviour. Plus, before I travelled to the UK, I used a money calculator to calculate the average cost of living in the UK, and it helped me estimate the average cost of spending on food. Honestly, it helped me structure my savings, and you should give it a try too! (You can find this on the University Living app).

Shopping: It is very important to narrow down the best supermarkets for shopping. Some of my favourite budget-friendly options are Lidl, Aldi, and Tesco (bonus with a Tesco Clubcard). The UK offers some of the best student discounts. Apps such as UniDays and Student Beans offer them. With these apps, you can avail yourself discounts on skincare and personal hygiene products. So don't miss them!

It all starts with planning the right accommodation, which will decide the rest. Travelling to a new country, in my personal experience, comes with a lot of challenges. With my structured savings, I was able to send money home and clear a little portion of my student debt.

So, if you are travelling to the UK as an international student, remember to plan and structure your spending! With rising inflation, carry a little backup money and ensure to keep that money aside and never touch it. That way, you know you have got some money aside for emergencies!

If you are planning to move to the UK and wish to seek help with accommodation or planning, do reach out! :)

#Universityliving #studentintheUK #internationalstudents #accommodations