Choosing accommodation
Moving away from home for university is a huge part of the student experience. And we understand that finding the right accommodation may seem like a daunting task, especially if this is the first time you will be living independently or away from home.
We have listed some options available for you below. If you would like to speak to someone about your accommodation options whilst you’re studying at the London, Birmingham or Manchester centres, please contact us by emailing QAHE.accommodation@qa.com or call +44 0203 6276101.
The most popular choice for students, private accommodation is managed by private or university approved landlords.
Private accommodation offers more freedom when searching for a place to stay. With added flexibility around the accommodation location and more control over who to live with, the private rental market offers a variety of different prices and living options to suit your budget and requirements.
When considering privately rented accommodation, look for trusted or university approved providers, we recommend using Student.com. They have guarantees in place, to help take away some of the stress when finding a place to live. This includes: No Visa, No Pay – a policy ideal for international students allowing free cancelation if your visa application is denied and No Place, No Pay – offering a full refund if your place is rejected or start date delayed.
We have put together a helpful Private Rental Accommodation Guide, with more information.
Pathway students have the option to live in university provided accommodation. Halls of Residence are managed accommodation, usually located on campus. Offering a shared living experience with other students and opportunities to experience the university culture.
More information can be found on our website here.
Before committing to accommodation, it’s important to work out your budget and the cost of living. Some questions you should ask are:
- How much is the rent?
- Are bills included in the rent?
- Is it catered or self-catered?
- How far is it located from the campus?
- How much will it cost me to travel to my classes?
- How long will it take me to get to and from classes?
- How many people will I share accommodation facilities (e.g. kitchen, bathrooms etc.) with?
- What facilities and shops are available nearby?
There are a variety of websites that can help with budgeting and finance. Which? have put together a University Budget Calculator, which is a tool to help you estimate your living costs.
There are a variety of finance and scholarship options for both UK and international students. UK students can apply for student finance support from the UK government, and international students may be eligible for a postgraduate scholarship. StudyUK have put together a list of academic scholarships that are also available.
If you have any accessibility requirements, our Accommodation Team are on hand to help. This may include accommodation with wheelchair access, adapted bathrooms and kitchens, access to lifts and ground floor living.
Pathway students can contact the university direct to discuss their requirements.
Our Accommodation Checklist has been put together, to make sure you don’t miss anything when finding accommodation and moving in.
Click here to download our Accommodation Checklist.
Living in Birmingham
Campus Address: 5th Floor, Centre City, 5-7 Hill Street, Birmingham, B5 4UA
Birmingham is often referred to as England’s second city, and is a popular choice for students. Our centre is located minutes away from the New Street Station which makes it easily accessible and convenient for students to travel. Students can spend time in our relaxed breakout area, or visit the ground floor café for a quick coffee. Alternatively, they can head into Grand Central for a range of eating spots, or spend time shopping in the Bullring.
Living in London
Campus Address: St James’ House, 10 Rosebery Avenue, London, EC1R 4TF
Voted Best Student City in QS Student Guide for 2 consecutive years (2018, 2019), our London centre is the perfect student experience. Based in the centre of the West End financial district, there are numerous bars, cafés, and restaurants allowing you to experience everything that this capital city has to offer. Students can jump on the tube and visit the capital’s hotspots such as Soho, Covent Garden and Oxford Street, and travel to some world-famous attractions including Madame Tussauds, Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
Living in Manchester
Campus Address: Saint James Buildings, 61 – 95 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 6FQ
Our Manchester centre is a state-of-the-art learning environment surrounded in culture, creativity and opportunity. With more than 85,000 students from across the globe, this innovative city provides an assortment of social activities to suit everyone. With everything from theatres, art galleries and museums, to restaurants, coffee shops and street food stalls, Manchester is an exciting place to study.