Choosing where to live is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make at university. While most first years live in university halls, private accommodation is often the preferred choice for second and third year students.
At The Student Lodge, we provide the very best student accommodation options in Nottingham, serving students from both universities in the city. In this guide, we’ll help you compare both options to help you choose which is best for you.
Key differences between university halls and private student accommodation
To make an informed decision, it’s important to understand the main differences between halls and private accommodation.
| Feature | University halls | Private student accommodation |
| Who you live with | Allocated randomly | Choose who you live with |
| Contract length | Tends to be fixed to the academic year | Usually more flexible |
| Location | Usually on campus | Choice of locations across the city |
| Facilities | Basic student facilities | Modern amenities and additional features often included |
| Independence | More rules and supervision | Greater freedom and flexibility |
Benefits of university halls
University halls remain a popular choice for new students, especially those moving away from home for the first time. Their main benefits include:
- Easy way to meet people – Living alongside other new students is a great way to make friends.
- Close to campus – Some students like halls as they tend to be on, or near to, the university campus, which makes it easy to reach university facilities.
- Simple to apply – Accommodation is often arranged through the university directly.
However, there are also some major drawbacks to student halls:
- You can’t choose who you live with
- Shared facilities can become crowded
- There are often strict rules around guests and noise
- Room sizes and facilities are often more basic than private options
Although halls are often considered the best accommodation for first-year students, many students prefer private accommodation, especially in second and third year once they’ve become familiar with university life.
Benefits of private student accommodation
For second and third-year students, private accommodation offers far greater flexibility and independence, traits that are favoured among this cohort.
Key benefits include:
- Live with your friends – Instead of being allocated flatmates randomly, you can choose exactly who you want to live with,meaning you can live with the friends you made in your first year.
- More choice – You can choose from different room types, property sizes and locations, finding something that is more tailored to your needs.
- Excellent facilities – Many private offerings provide modern communal spaces, high-speed internet, dedicated study areas and more.
- Greater independence – Enjoy more freedom without the restrictions sometimes found in university halls.
- Outstanding value – Many providers, including The Student Lodge, offer bills-included student accommodation, making it easier to budget without having to worry about additional monthly payments.
Things to consider before you pick
Is private student accommodation worth it? Yes, in many cases the extra flexibility and opportunity to live with your friends creates a much better university experience, but there are some things to think about before choosing:
- Who do you want to live with? – Living with your friends can make your university much more comfortable and fun.
- Where do you want to live? – Private accommodation usually has a range of options, so you can choose an area that is best for you. Think about whether you’d like to be in the city centre and bear in mind transport links.
- Do you need flexible contract dates? – Often, private accommodation will provide more flexibility than student halls, which tend to be fixed to the academic year.
Choose The Student Lodge for your next home
If you’re looking for modern private student accommodation in Nottingham, The Student Lodge is here to help.
Ideal for second and third-year students, we offer:
- A range of quality rooms
- Bills included
- 24/7 security
- Superfast internet
- Sky TV
- Fantastic locations across the city, close to both of Nottingham’s universities.
Whether you’re looking to move in with friends or for a better student experience, get in touch with The Student Lodge today to find out more.
