The UK hosts over 600,000 international students across 160+ universities. The student housing landscape varies dramatically between London and the rest of the country — a room near LSE costs £250/week, while a similar room near the University of Sheffield might be £85/week.
Accommodation Types
University Halls of Residence
First-year international students are typically guaranteed a place. Halls are either catered (meals included) or self-catered (shared kitchen). £120–280/week depending on city and room type.
Private Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)
Unite Students, iQ Student, Student Roost, and Chapter dominate the market. En-suite rooms in cluster flats (5–8 people sharing a kitchen) or self-contained studios. £140–380/week.
Private Rented Sector (PRS)
Renting directly from a landlord or through a letting agent. Typically a 12-month assured shorthold tenancy (AST). You’ll need a UK guarantor or 6–12 months’ rent upfront.
Cost by City (2026)
| City | Shared room/week | Studio/week |
|---|---|---|
| London | £180–300 | £280–500 |
| Manchester | £110–160 | £170–280 |
| Edinburgh | £130–220 | £180–320 |
| Birmingham | £90–150 | £150–240 |
| Glasgow | £90–160 | £140–240 |
| Leeds | £85–140 | £140–230 |
| Sheffield | £80–130 | £130–220 |
Tenancy Rights
Since 2019, most fees for tenants have been banned (Tenant Fees Act):
- ❌ No letting agent fees
- ❌ No credit check fees
- ❌ No inventory fees
- ✅ Holding deposit capped at 1 week’s rent
- ✅ Security deposit capped at 5 weeks’ rent
Your deposit must be protected in a government-approved scheme (TDS, MyDeposits, or DPS) within 30 days. If it isn’t, you can claim compensation.
Council Tax
Full-time students are exempt from council tax. You need a council tax exemption certificate from your university — usually downloadable from your student portal. If you live with non-students, the household still gets a 25% discount if only one non-student lives there, but you lose the exemption if there are two or more non-students.
FAQ
Do I need a UK guarantor? Most private landlords require one — a UK resident who agrees to pay your rent if you can’t. Housing Hand and YourGuarantor offer guarantor services for international students (for a fee, typically 4–6% of annual rent). Is PBSA worth the premium? For your first year, yes. It’s the lowest-stress option — no guarantor needed, all-inclusive bills, on-site management, and a built-in social network. After year one, many students move to private rentals with friends. What about IHS and health cover? The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) gives NHS access. For travel outside the UK, SafetyWing covers gap periods.