Last updated: October 2026
Before you move to uni, you’ll have to choose where you live from a range of accommodation options. This is usually a choice between private student accommodation and uni halls. Although they’re similar in the sense that you’ll pay rent to both, they still operate in very different ways.
This guide is here to help you understand the differences between private accommodation and uni halls, as well as their pros and cons. Let’s get into it…
Let’s settle this private student accommodation vs uni halls debate once and for all!
Student halls are university-provided accommodations designed specifically for students. They typically include individual rooms with shared communal areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and lounges. Most halls also offer additional facilities like laundry rooms, study areas, and common spaces for socialising.
The simple answer is no. Every university differs, but most will allow you to choose where you live in your first year and the years after, too. It is, however, most common for first years to stay in university student accommodation. Here’s why:
Living in halls is a popular way to meet new people and make friends you want to live with in the second year. You have an opportunity to get to know your flatmates, as well as venture across campus.
Student accommodation is usually located close to campus, or sometimes on campus. If not, halls are often well-connected to the town/city centre with supporting transport links. This means if you choose to live in student accommodation, you’ll most likely only be a short walk away from people you know.
Often, student halls are relatively newly-built properties, meaning you can find some gorgeous modern flats to live in! You might even get other added benefits, including a cleaner or a cool common room to hang out in, which you might not get in a private house.
Many private student halls have their own security teams/systems in place, making them extremely secure. They will often have codes or key fobs to enter the building, whereas a private house may be more vulnerable to people gaining access.
In order to fit so many students into the halls, the rooms aren’t the most spacious. They’ll usually have a single bed and a small amount of storage space.
Compared to private housing that usually has gardens, student halls don’t. This is probably not the ultimate deal-breaker, but it’s one to keep in mind.
With so many people living in one small area, you might find the noise pollution to be a little disruptive. With people having house parties and coming home from nights out, this could be an annoyance when you’re trying to study or sleep.
Private accommodation for students allows you to live alone or with others. It’s great if you know who you want to live with because you have complete choice over where you live, how many rooms the house has, who you live with, and so much more. It gives you more independence than student halls because it’s not classed as university property (which may have extra supervision and restrictions in place), but is handled by landlords and letting agents instead. It’s also up to you to sort your bills and your rent.
There are so many types of private housing to choose from! Whether it’s a one-bedroom apartment, studio flat, or an eight-bedroom semi-detached house, there’s usually something on the market to suit everyone’s preferences.
You’ll typically have a ¾ or double bed, high-speed Wi-Fi, a lounge, a TV Licence, a kitchen, and a garden space.
You have complete control over who you share the accommodation with. This means you don’t need to be packed in with a load of random students and can instead pick a select few students to live with. After all, smaller groups often result in less tension!
Private accommodation for students can be scattered around the city. So, if you want to be in the heart of the city centre, where everything is, you can be. Alternatively, you have the option to live further away from the busyness and settle into the quiet of friendly neighbourhoods.
You have your own cosy space to yourself since you’re not sharing it with hundreds of other students – just who you choose to! Houses are also generally more homely than generic student halls, which means you should be able to find a property with its own character and quirks.
As student halls are normally in prime locations and quite modern, they can charge a premium. This doesn’t mean that by choosing a house you’re going to be stuck in the middle of nowhere, or in an old, crumbling building, however. It just means you’ll have an easier time with your budget.
The housing market moves fast, and with so many students in every city, the demand for student houses is high. Be prepared and know what you and your prospective housemates are searching for!
Living in private rentals means it’s up to you and your housemates to sort and pay your utility bills. You’ll have to consider who’s paying what and make sure they’re paid on time.
Hopefully, this has helped settle the private rented vs student halls debate, and you have more of an idea about finding a second-year property!
Split The Bills is a bill-splitting service trusted by thousands of students across the UK. Our team will set up utility accounts for your household, so you don’t have to deal with the hassle of ringing suppliers, setting up direct debits, or calculating how much everyone owes.
Our student bill package includes energy and water, your choice of broadband, and an optional TV Licence (if you plan on watching live TV). All you need to do is pay one monthly bill, which automatically covers all your household bills.
By choosing Split The Bills, you don’t have to worry about sorting or paying your bills because we do it for you! Get a monthly price for your household bills instantly, and make moving into your new student house as hassle-free as possible.
Anticipating sharing a house for the first time? Browse this round-up of the different types of housemates you’ll meet at uni to best prepare yourself!
Moved into a shared house? Browse these top tips on how to make a student house look homely on a budget.
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