Guide To Student Accommodation In Liverpool

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Liverpool is an amazing place to be a student. With a couple of leading institutions and a buzzing city full of things to do and places to visit, it delivers everything a student needs.

Liverpool is home to Liverpool John Moores University, University of Liverpool, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, plus several good colleges.

It’s also home to Tate Liverpool, The Everyman, Anfield and Goodison Park, The Raz, Mojo, Sefton Park and more shopping, dining and entertainment you could fully explore in your 3 or more years here.

But where should you stay when you’re studying? What’s the best student accommodation in Liverpool for your needs?

Halls of Residence

The default option for most first years and some postgraduates is the university halls of residence. Owned and operated by the university, they will usually be located on campus and will be dormitory-style accommodation, like a hotel.

You’ll probably have your own room and perhaps an ensuite bathroom. There will often be communal areas for laundry and cooking, storage and perhaps social spaces too.

Halls of residence are usually best for your first year as it introduces you to university life and ensures you’re part of the experience.

It’s also a great way to meet new friends and immerse yourself in your new way of life.

Pros of halls of residence

• Fully inclusive of bills
• Private spaces, many ensuite
• Great for making new friends and being social
• Usually on campus and a short walk to class

Cons of halls of residence

• Some halls can be dated
• Can be expensive compared to alternatives
• Not all halls will be ensuite

University-owned properties

Some universities also own their own houses, similar to social housing. They can be normal houses in a normal street, but rented exclusively to students.

They work much like house shares (HMOs) where a house is divided into private bedrooms with shared kitchen, living room and bathroom.

University-owned properties are often set aside for international students, researchers or other specific student types. Other universities open them up to all students once any special interest groups have been accommodated.

Pros of university-owned properties

• Owned and maintained by the university
• Social experience on a smaller scale
• More privacy and less noise than halls
• Share kitchen and other areas with fewer students

Cons of university-owned properties

• Not usually ensuite
• Can be a short distance from campus

Private halls of residence

Private halls of residence have all the benefits of university halls, but are owned or managed by private companies. They will usually be off campus but be located close to class and city amenities.

Private halls of residence tend to attract heavier investment than university halls because that’s the primary goal of the company. They are often more modern, include ensuite rooms and added extras like cleaning and security.

They will balance the student experience with a more hotel-like experience and often be situated close to town or city centres for added convenience.

Pros of private halls of residence

• Usually more modern buildings with better amenities
• More typically ensuite
• All bills are usually included
• Can include extras such as cleaning of social areas and security

Cons of private halls of residence

• Not usually located on campus
• Don’t always have dedicated maintenance teams

Private student accommodation

Private student accommodation includes private houses and house shares owned by individual private landlords or companies. They will not be affiliated with any particular university or be student only, which isn’t always a bad thing.

You’ll find private rentals across every town and city in the country. They provide a lot more freedom to live where you want but won’t always have the security of being professionally managed or have a dedicated maintenance team.

Most private student accommodation will require you to arrange your own contract, share bills, pay for your own insurance and be more responsible. It’s more useful as a second or third year than first year, that’s for sure.

You may also be sharing with a wide range of other people and the quality of this accommodation can vary a lot!

Pros of private student accommodation

• More choice of location
• Can be cheaper than university halls
• More opportunities to meet new people
• Can be close to amenities

Cons of private student accommodation

• Quality of accommodation can vary a lot
• You have to manage your own rent, insurance and bills

Where to live while at university

Those are your typical options when living in Liverpool as a student. There may be niche alternatives like flat sharing or staying at home, but for the majority of students going to uni, these are the choices you’ll face.

We would suggest staying in university halls for your first year. This will help you adjust to your new life, make new friends, settle into your course and enjoy your first year to the max.

After that, private halls balance the positives of university life with living off campus. You still get to spend time with fellow students, still don’t have to worry about bills or maintenance but have often larger, more modern accommodation.

It’s entirely up to you though. One thing you’re not short of as a student is choice!