Accommodation for international students
As an international student, securing the right kind of accommodation in which to live during your stay in a new country will go a long way to shaping your study abroad experience in a positive way.
Your new accommodation will be a home away from home, so it’s important to choose a place where you’ll feel comfortable.
The type of accommodation that you will find during your studies will depend on the country and university that you pick, and in some cases on your budget.
In some countries, there is a housing shortage for international students, and it is very difficult to find even private rented accommodation.
For example in the Netherlands, the housing shortage is very severe and finding accommodation quickly is crucial if you want to take a place studying in the Netherlands.
We will describe the most popular types of accommodation that you are likely to find at university, how much they are likely to cost and which type of accommodation you should pick.
What types of rooms are available for students
Depending on the country and university that you pick, you may be able to choose to live in accommodation provided by your university, publicly funded student accommodation, or you may have to find private, rented accommodation.
In all of the different types of accommodation, the most common types of rooms available will fall into the following categories:
| Room type | What is it? |
| Studio | A studio apartment is a room where you will have your own kitchen, bathroom and living room/bedroom area for yourself. |
| En-suite | An en-suite is where you will get a bedroom for yourself, along with your own bathroom. The kitchen is shared with the rest of your flatmates |
| Standard/single | You will share the kitchen and bathroom with the rest of your flatmates, but have a bedroom to yourself. |
| Double | This is where you will share a bedroom with a roommate, and kitchen and toilets will be shared with the rest of the flat. |
Read on as we discuss the types of accommodation usually available for students.
University halls of residence/Student dorms
Halls of residence are purpose-built university accommodation managed by the university, which are a very popular option in countries such as the US, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. They are often on-campus or located near to main university campuses.
Large universities will often have several halls from which you can choose, if this is the case, it makes sense to research which of the halls will be located most conveniently on campus for your studies.
Most typically in the US, but sometimes at Canadian and Australian universities, living in halls on campus will also include a mandatory meal plan which will cover all your meals during your studies. Halls in the United Kingdom and also many in Australia tend to be self-catered.
At most university halls of residence, all your bills will be included in the accommodation fees, meaning you don’t have to worry about paying for electricity, gas, water, or the internet.
In the UK, communal areas are also likely to have a TV licence, though you will probably require one to watch TV in your own room.
The types of rooms you will find in student halls are usually single bed or shared rooms, often with shared bathrooms and kitchen facilities. You may also find triple or quad rooms, with three and four beds respectively.
There are plenty of benefits to living in halls of residence, especially if you are a freshman/first year student, where the ease of making friends and integrating quickly makes them a great choice.
Sometimes second and third year students also opt to stay in university halls. Sometimes there are discounts offered to stay in halls, and many students enjoy the added convenience.
Living on campus means that you don’t have to worry about transportation, as you will be within walking distance of your studies.
Living amongst other students means that you will be able to take part in any organised activities and the social life that surrounds living on campus.
| Pros | Cons |
| Good location for university | Limited independence |
| Monitored by university staff | Might be further away from city centre and shops |
| Great for making friends | Spaces may be limited |
Public student accommodation/Public dorms
Publicly funded student accommodation gives you the option of living in student halls in areas close to your university, but rather than being run by your university, they are publicly funded.
These types of accommodation usually service an area such as a city or region, rather than a specific university.
This type of accommodation is usually found in European countries where there are no university-run halls of residence, and provides students with a cheaper alternative to private rented accommodation.
Examples of these include CROUS accommodation in France and studierendenWERK accommodation in Germany.
The types of rooms the private student accommodations offer are very similar to the student halls. You can choose from studios, en-suite rooms, and rooms with shared amenities.
| Pros | Cons |
| Monitored by maintenance and security 24/7 | High competition for places |
| Usually the cheapest accommodation | Not as involved with university life |
| Modern amenities (gym, common rooms…) | Further away from campus |
Private student accommodation/Private dorms
Private student accommodation is just like halls, but instead of being owned by the university, it’s owned by a private company.
In most countries, private, purpose-built student dormitories are very popular with students, especially when they serve universities that cannot provide their own on-campus dormitories and halls of residence.
Well known companies running private student dormitories include UniLodge, which serves Australia and New Zealand, Unite Students, which serves the UK.
This type of accommodation doesn’t usually provide catering, being more focused on self-catering, providing the students with fully equipped kitchens either in shared flats or studios.
Some accommodation might provide on-site cafes or vending machines, but full catering is rare.
The types of rooms the private student accommodations offer are very similar to student halls. You can choose from studios, en-suite rooms, and shared amenities.
These are often chosen by students in their second or third year, and first year students looking for more independence and modern facilities.
| Pros | Cons |
| Monitored by maintenance and security 24/7 | Can be more expensive |
| Flexible options (living arrangements and prices) | Not as involved with university life |
| Modern amenities (gym, common rooms) | Further away from campus |
Shared university flats/houses/lodges
Shared houses, flats and apartments operated by your university are popular student accommodation options in countries like Australia and New Zealand, and also found in countries like the US. They tend to be located on, or near campus, and usually have between 2 and 8 bedrooms per apartment.
A good example of this type of accommodation is the Nepean Lodge self-contained units operated by the University of Sydney in Australia, which are individual lodges containing between 2-6 bedrooms.
These types of apartments can be found with shared facilities, or with ensuite bathrooms and shared kitchens. Smaller buildings than student dormitories, shared apartments usually feature bedrooms with single beds.
Compared to student halls and dormitories, you are more likely to socialise more with the flatmates in your shared apartment, which you may find appealing.
Like student halls and dormitories, your accommodation fees will cover all your bills, such as water, gas, electricity and internet access.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lifestyle is more similar to renting privately in groups | More expensive than halls |
| Managed accommodation and modern facilities | Only available in certain countries and universities |
| Live with smaller groups |
Shared private housing
Shared housing is renting a house or apartment completely independently from your university.
Shared flats are a popular way for students to live and study surrounded by their friends. If you have been able to attend halls of residence in your first year at university and make friends with fellow students, you may wish to move into private shared flats in your second year of university.
Alternatively you can choose to rent a room in a shared house and be allocated with other people who have also rented a room in that building. Within a shared housing, you might have from 1 up to 10 housemates.
The type of shared houses available very much depends on the country in which you are living. In the UK, it is common to live in terraced houses located in inner-city streets, whereas throughout Europe, shared apartment buildings are more common.
Shared flats and houses may come with varying degrees of facilities, but will usually provide shared bathroom and kitchen facilities.
Single rooms are most common in shared flats, but double rooms may also be available depending on location.
You may also find housing with studio apartments within, with en-suite bathrooms.
Most of the time you’ll share a kitchen with the rest of your housemates, so it’s important you all get along and establish rules and duties at the beginning of the academic year.
| Pros | Cons |
| Cheaper than university and private accommodations | Bills might not be included in the monthly rent price |
| Freedom and independence | Can be far away from campus and city centre |
| More space compared to university halls | Lack of maintenance support |
Private rental
For students who choose private accommodation and wish to live alone during their studies, they may choose to rent a private apartment or house of their own.
This is a good option if you prioritise independence and privacy, and it gives you the opportunity to choose your location and style of accommodation.
Whilst private rental gives you the opportunity to choose your location and style of accommodation, there is the added responsibility of house maintenance and bills, as well as being more expensive.
Private rental accommodation is often the only option for students in countries where on-campus accommodation is not usually available, such as in the Netherlands.
Websites such as Amberstudent are designed to help students search for private accommodation, but you can also search on local Facebook groups, and your university may also provide you with a list of vetted private rental suppliers.
| Pros | Cons |
| Complete privacy and independence | Responsible for all maintenance and bills |
| Freedom to choose style and location of accommodation | A lot more expensive, specially if renting alone |
Homestay
A homestay gives you the opportunity to stay with a host family in the country of their university.
As an international student, homestays are a great way to adjust to your new surroundings, giving you the opportunity to completely immerse yourself in the culture of your new country, helping you to break down language barriers, and they also tend to be a more affordable option.
The fees involved in a homestay are usually regulated and will cover bills and home prepared meals for the duration of your stay. Host families will provide a room for you, along with shared facilities in the families home.
This type of accommodation is very popular in Australia and New Zealand, where there are networks of homestay housing run by your university to vet homestays, like the Australian Homestay Network, which will make all the living arrangements for you.
| Pros | Cons |
| Absorb all the cultural experience | Less independence |
| More affordable than other options | Cultural adjustments required |
| Less time spent cooking | Restricted social life |
Short-Term Accommodation
International students might find short-term accommodation options useful whilst they find long term accommodation options. These could include hostels or short term rentals.
How to choose the right accommodation for you
- Budget Considerations: Consider your budget and if it’s flexible. Think if this budget includes bills, or if you’re willing to set more money apart monthly for the bills.
- Location: Think about whether you’d like to live more near campus or if that’s something that doesn’t bother you.
- Social Life vs. Independence: Decide if you are looking for a more social setting and looking to meet new people, or if you want your privacy.
- Visit Before You Commit: Always always visit your accommodation before signing the contract. If this is not possible, request a video or a virtual tour. This is not entirely necessary for university halls.
How expensive is accommodation around the world
We looked at a random selection of universities from several popular study abroad destinations and looked at the pricing of accommodation for international students, allowing you to compare the prices and accommodation types that you can expect to find.
| Country | Provider | Accommodation type | Accommodation and Price In USD (per year) |
| Australia | Western Sydney University | On campus | Shared from $7,048.18 Studio from $10,146.86 |
| Australia | ACU | On campus | From $11,779.58 To $14,527.09 |
| Australia | Griffith University | On campus | Shared from $5,547 1 bed apartment from $14,422 |
| Canada | St Thomas University | On campus | Double room from $7,239 Single room (en-suite) $11,289 Meal plan $4,000 |
| Canada | York University | On campus | From $5,464 To $7,418 |
| Canada | University of Alberta | On campus | From $ 6,594 To $8,250 |
| France | ESSCA School of Management Angers campus | Private accommodation, found on Studapart | Private flat share from $5,114.04 |
| France | ESSCA School of Management Strasbourg campus | Private accommodation, found on Studapart | Private flat share from $5,340 |
| France | ESSCA School of Management Bordeaux campus | Private accommodation, found on Studapart | Private flat share from $5,208 |
| France | ESSCA School of Management Lyon campus | Private accommodation, found on Studapart | Private flat share from $5,544 |
| France | ESSCA School of Management Aix-en-Provence | Private accommodation, found on Studapart | Private flat share from $6,456 |
| France | Audencia Business School | Crous Nantes | From $3,252 to $4,566 |
| France | emlyon business school | Private accommodation, found on Studapart | Private flat share from $4,956 |
| Germany | Constructor University | On campus Accommodation on campus also requires a meal plan at an additional 4,000€ per academic year | Double room, shared bathroom $4,350 Single room, shared bathroom $5,979 Single apartment $7,066 |
| Germany | Free University of Berlin | Studierendenwerk Berlin | From $404 per month |
| Germany | University of Stuttgart | Studierendenwerk Stuttgart | From $315 per month |
| Italy | John Cabot University | Residence halls and apartments | From $8,478 To $11,956 |
| Italy | Bocconi University | Residence halls | From $9,324 To $12,708 |
| Italy | Politecnico di Milano | Residence halls | From $4,456 To $5,978 |
| New Zealand | University of Auckland | On Campus | From $8,470 To $12,604 |
| New Zealand | University of Canterbury | On Campus | $14,456 |
| New Zealand | Massey University | On Campus | From $5,437 To $10,678 |
| United Kingdom | University of Glasgow | On Campus | From $5,644 to $10,529 |
| United Kingdom | University of Sheffield | On Campus | From $6,291 To $13,496 |
| United Kingdom | University of Derby | On Campus | From $6,132 To $11,282 |
| USA | University of Chicago | On Campus | From $11,607.00 |
| USA | University of Michigan | On Campus | From $8,416 To $18,332 |
| USA | Iowa State University of Science and Technology | On Campus | From $4862 To $6488 |
We have normalised all prices to USD for comparison’s sake.From this small selection of universities, we can see that on campus accommodation options ranged between $5,500 and $14,400 per year in Australia. This compared with between $5,646 and $11,289 in Canada, $5,644 and $13,496 in the UK and $4,862 and $18,332 in the US. Whilst it is worth pointing out that this is only a small sample of universities, it does show that on campus accommodation can be found at similar price points at universities all round the world.
In European universities, students are much more likely to have to rely on privately rented accommodation, as space for accommodation is at a premium. This doesn’t mean accommodation need be too expensive, as Studierendenwerk organisations in Germany, and Crous organisations in France both offer students reasonably priced accommodation options.
A final point to consider is that the more prestigious universities or universities located in areas where the general cost of living is higher may charge their students more for accommodation. Always check well ahead of time what your accommodation options will be like at your chosen university so you can plan ahead!
Living with roommates
If you choose to live in shared accommodation, a skill you will need to learn is living with roommates.
Maintaining a good relationship with your roommates will make your experience at university much easier. These following tips can help you to get on famously with your roommates.
Keep everything clean and tidy
Make a schedule for tidying up and taking out rubbish, and try to share the responsibilities evenly. Try to keep on top of chores in this way and avoid regular pitfalls that can occur in shared student accommodation, such as piles of unwashed dishes.
Communication
Good communication with your roommates is vital to make sure that you are all on the same page. Any issues can be identified and sorted out quickly if grievances are aired in an up-front but non-confrontational way. You don’t have to become best friends with your roommate if you don’t want to, but establishing a friendly relationship makes student life much more enjoyable.
Ground rules
You and your roommates should try to establish shared ground rules so you all know where you stand on important issues. These can include the sharing of food, the volume of TV and music, how late is acceptable to make noise, and how many friends are allowed to visit at once.
Privacy
Even though you may be living in close quarters, both you and your roommates deserve whatever level of privacy they deem appropriate. Don’t allow your privacy to be invaded, and likewise don’t do anything that would make your roommates feel uncomfortable.
Give each other space
There will be times when both you and your roommates will want time apart, perhaps during stressful periods of study. It is important to recognise this and to make time and space for each other. If conflicts do arise from time to time, make sure to handle them calmly and try to establish a friendly atmosphere as quickly as possible.
University accommodation application process
If you are planning on applying for accommodation on campus, you can generally begin your accommodation application as soon as you have received your offer of a place at university.
This may differ slightly depending on the university and country. Rooms are usually offered on a first come first served basis, so the sooner you make your application, the more choice you will have.
In the UK, applications are made online via your university website. You will usually have to register for an account to make this application.
In the USA, you must first confirm your place at university, which usually involves paying an enrollment fee. You will then be given details of how to apply for your choice of accommodation, including your preferences of room and roommate.
In Australia, students are generally expected to register online for the accommodation application process, international students must indicate that they are applying from overseas during their application. You must have applied to be a full-time or part-time student before making your accommodation application.
If you are looking for private accommodation, it is best practice to begin your search for accommodation as soon as you have received your offer of a place at university. There are no set application procedures with private accommodation, but your university will be able to offer support through the process.
Conclusion
As an international student, you have many different options available for accommodation whilst you study abroad.
The options that you have to choose from may depend on the country that you choose to study, while on campus accommodation is the norm in some regions, private accommodation is the norm in others.
If you are beginning university, or changing your accommodation after your first or second year at university, make sure you start your search for accommodation as soon as you can to give yourself the most choice and the best chance of finding accommodation that fits your needs.