How much does student accommodation cost?
Key takeaways
The average monthly cost of UK student accommodation is £563, according to a 2025 National Student Accommodation Survey
Utility costs can be around £187 a month for a student household, based on energy (£100.20), water (£44.10) and broadband (£42.70)
Full-time students are exempt from paying council tax and mixed households may get a 25% discount
How much is student accommodation?
Student accommodation costs an average of £563 a month in the UK or £6,756 a year, according to Save the Student’s 2025 National Student Accommodation Survey. Costs vary widely by region, with students in London paying the most at £812 a month on average while students in the West Midlands pay the least in the UK at £466 per month (£5,592 annually).
This is closely followed by students in Wales, who pay £473 per month, on average, (£5,676 per year) and the North West of England (£486 per month or £5,832 per year).
The most recent UK-wide NUS/Unipol Accommodation Costs Survey, covering 2021-22, found that average student accommodation costs had risen to £7,374 a year. A newer 2024 London edition found that purpose-built student accommodation in London cost an average of £13,595 a year in 2024-25.
What's the cost of different types of student accommodation?
Cost of university student accommodation
About one-in-three (29%) of students stay in university accommodation, according to the National Student Accommodation Survey 2025. University accommodation fees can vary hugely, and the type of accommodation can range from very basic halls of residence with shared bathrooms and kitchens to high-end luxury rooms with en-suites.
Monthly | Annually | |
|---|---|---|
Average rent costs for university student accommodation | £615 | £7,380 |
Cost of private sector accommodation
After their first academic year many students move into private rentals, which require students to deal with a landlord or estate agent. Overall, this is the most popular type of accommodation for students, according to the National Student Accommodation Survey 2025, with more than a third (35%) having a private landlord.
Monthly | Annually | |
|---|---|---|
Average rent costs for private sector accommodation | £532 | £6,384 |
Cost of living with parents or guardian
Three-in-twenty (or 15%) of students stay with their parents or a guardian and pay £345, according to the National Student Accommodation Survey 2025.
Why does contract length matter?
Student accommodation is often advertised as a weekly rent, but the total cost depends on how many weeks your contract runs for. A room at £250 a week costs £9,500 over 38 weeks, but £13,000 over 52 weeks.
What other costs are involved in student accommodation?
While university halls may bundle some utility bills into the rent, private rentals typically require students to handle additional expenses separately:
Rental deposits and charges
In the private sector, students may be required to pay between four to six weeks' rent as a deposit to secure a tenancy. University-owned options may require less.
Deposits must be protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receipt.
Although most tenancy fees have been abolished, students should be aware of potential charges for:
Late rent payments
Lost keys
Early contract termination
Utility bills
In shared accommodations, it's common for roommates to split utility costs.
Average costs can be around £187 a month for a household, based on energy (£100.20), water (£44.10) and broadband (£42.70), according to the MoneySuperMarket Household Money Index July 2025.
However, costs vary widely across the country. They also depend on the provider you choose and the type of service provided.
Council tax
Full-time students, including undergraduate students and postgraduate students, are exempt from paying council tax, while mixed households may be eligible for a discount.
Students must apply for this discount through their local council to benefit from the exemption or reduction.
Cost of living
Everything else you need to spend money on, such as:
Textbooks
Groceries (if you are in self-catered accommodation)
Clothes
Transport
Gym membership
Social events
How can I cut the cost of student accommodation?
There are ways to make your accommodation more affordable:
Start looking early
Join local housing groups and speak to students from previous years to find out where the cheapest accommodation is.
Choose basic halls and shared houses
Choosing basic university halls for accommodation in the first year may also be a lot cheaper than the more deluxe options while a shared house will usually cost less than living alone.
Live further from campus
It may be worth considering living further from campus (while taking travel costs into account). There may also the option of living at home.
Get a job
Balancing a part-time job with your studies can help you to afford student life. University websites and local recruiters are good resources for finding part-time work opportunities tailored to students.
International students should note that they are typically allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during term time, subject to the conditions of their visa.
Apply for financial support
Universities offer financial support and can provide information on grants and funds available to students facing financial hardships.
You can find a full guide to student finance on the Government website.
What kind of insurance do I need as a student?
Students should consider protecting their belongings with student contents insurance, which covers everything from clothing and books to mobile phones and laptops.
Before purchasing a new policy, it’s worth checking what cover you may already have in place. Some student bank accounts offer insurance or the student may be covered on their parents’ contents insurance.
Author
David McDermottroe
Head of Commercial
Reviewer
Mehdi Punjwani
Insurance specialist
Mehdi is a financial writer and editor with over six years of experience in personal finance. He has written for organisations and publications including Equifax, The AA, and USAToday, covering a...
