What Are Halls of Residence?

If you’re starting uni in September, your chosen university might have offered you a place in their halls of residence. You might be wondering what ‘halls of residence’ means and if this is the only option for your first-year accommodation.

Split The Bills has put together this blog with everything you need to know, including:

Students unpacking in a halls of residence

What are university halls of residence? 

Halls of residence are a type of student accommodation. Most university halls of residence are only available to first-year students, and some universities guarantee that all their first-year students will have a place in their halls.   Once you’ve accepted your place at your chosen university, you should get information about how to apply for your first-year accommodation. If you’re going through clearing, it can be a little more complex, so make sure you understand what your options are. University halls of residence are typically located on or close to campus, making them a super convenient option. Most student halls consist of single rooms with shared bathrooms and kitchens, though you can also get ensuite rooms or self-contained studio flats. You’ll be able to choose from catered rooms (where some or all your meals are provided) or self-catered options (where you’ll need to buy and cook your food yourself).

Private halls of residence 

University halls of residence are owned and managed by your university, but there are also many private halls of residence in student cities. These are similar to university halls of residence, but they’re privately run and usually open to all students (potentially from different universities).   

Some universities partner with private halls and reserve rooms for their students. This is usually the case if they don’t have enough space in their own halls.  

What are the benefits and drawbacks of student halls?

Benefits of living in halls of residence

There’s a reason why most first-year students opt to live in university halls – they’re an awesome experience and the best way to make friends with other students!   Here are some more benefits of living in halls of residence: 
  • Conveniently located on or close to campus – perfect for rolling out of bed and heading to early morning lectures! 
  • You can choose from a range of accommodation options – find a room that fits your budget and your personal preferences. If sharing a bathroom sounds like your worst nightmare, opt for an en-suite room instead (if it’s within your budget).  
  • All-inclusive rent – unlike privately owned shared accommodation, almost all university halls will include bills in your rent, giving you one less thing to worry about. 
  • You’ll feel like you’re a real part of the student community – although living with strangers might sound scary, they can quickly become long-lasting friends! Learn how to get along with your housemates for some quick ideas.

Cons of halls of residence

Of course, living in university halls isn’t for everyone. Here are some downsides: 

  • They can be loud and distracting – living on campus might not be the most productive environment for focusing on your studies, although you could always invest in a good pair of earplugs and headphones!
  • You might not get along with who you live with – your housemates might turn out to be lifelong friends, but you might also find that you’re not compatible! Discover how to resolve common arguments to keep the peace.
  • You’ll have to move out after your first year – most universities only offer university halls to first-year students, so you’ll have to find somewhere else to live for your second year.
  • You can’t choose who you live with – unlike privately owned shared accommodation, you won’t get to choose your flatmates, so it might not be the right option if you want to live with some friends from home! 
Halls of residence building

How do you pay for halls of residence? 

Your Student Finance maintenance loan can help you pay for student accommodation costs. To make things easier, the payment dates for your accommodation fees will usually coincide with your termly student loan instalments. Be aware that you also need money for your living costs, so don’t opt for the most expensive accommodation without considering if you can really afford it.  You might also be asked to pay for your accommodation deposit. You’ll get this back once you move out (provided there’s no damage to your room).  

How much do halls of residence cost? 

According to Save The Student’s 2025 accommodation survey, the average cost for university halls of residence was £615 per month. Private halls were slightly more expensive (£650 per month), while privately owned student housing was slightly less (£532 per month). 

Do you have to live in halls of residence? 

Although most first-year students opt to live in university halls, you don’t have to. You can opt for privately owned shared accommodation instead – this is where you’ll likely be living in your second year anyway.   Unlike halls where you can select your preferences but aren’t guaranteed your preferred accommodation (especially if it’s popular), living in private accommodation means you have complete control over where you live. Plus, you can choose your housemates, so it’s the perfect choice if you already know who you want to live with! 

How Split The Bills can help 

One of the main downsides of living in private shared accommodation is having to handle the household bills yourself. So, when you’re ready to move out of halls and into your second year, the good news is that bills don’t have to be a chore – you can always opt for a bill-splitting service to make your life easier… 

At Split The Bills, we do the hard work of setting up utility accounts and direct debits. You choose the services you want included in your package, including uncapped energy, water, broadband and even a TV Licence. There’s no worrying about splitting bills with your housemates or calling energy suppliers – all you need to do is pay one neat bill each month! 

If you want a hassle-free way to pay shared household bills, you can find out more about what we do or get in touch with our team! 

Woman cleaning the kitchen

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27th August 2025 No Comments