Photos taken by Vicky Giannou
You’ve just received an offer letter from the University and the next point in your checklist is accommodation! A few months before coming to Leicester for my Master’s I was facing the dilemma of applying for university student accommodation or renting privately. Each option has pros and cons but which one you choose depends on your personality, needs, and priorities. Below, I will share my experience and the reasons that made me apply for the university student accommodation.
As you will see from the university’s website there are five basic types of room. I chose the ‘Single Ensuite.’ This type has its own private bathroom with a toilet, basin, and shower but you share the kitchen with your neighbours. You have a bit more privacy than the other choices!
In my opinion, one of the most important advantages of living in the university accommodation is the fact that you have the opportunity to interact with students of the same age as you who possibly share similar interests. I feel that I was very lucky since two of my roommates were studying the same course with me. This was of high importance to me, especially during this challenging year where all the lectures were delivered online. Beyond this, the whole experience was unique since I had the chance to meet people from other cultures and different disciplines. Undoubtedly, living with others helped me to improve my social skills and build healthy interpersonal relationships.
Another advantage of the university accommodation is that the rooms are fully equipped. Every room has a bed, a wardrobe, a desk and chair, two shelves, a window, and unlimited use of the Internet! Both the building and the facilities are modern and well maintained. The only drawback I found was the soundproofing. It should be added that in our building, there are security guards on a daily basis as well as a reception desk that operates 24/7. Safety was another key reason that led me to select university accommodation.
Photo taken by Vicky Giannou
Another equally important benefit of living in Opal Court is the location. To my mind, the university student accommodation is located in the best position, since it is only 5-10 minutes from campus and approximately 20 minutes from the city centre. Moreover, nearby there is the railway station, Morrison’s supermarket, Odeon Cinema, and Clarendon Park which is a vibrant local area with cafes, shops, and restaurants.
Another element that was extremely significant and practical for me was the all-inclusive rent and the payment methods. Although I found the price of the university student accommodation high, these fees include all utility bills, high speed WiFi, basic room contents insurance, and access to 24-hour support services.
Lastly, university accommodation offers flexibility in payment. They not only provide a range of payment options to suit everyone, but also a set of different options where instead of paying the full amount of the fees before the start of your academic year, you are able to divide the payment into three equal instalments. The last option was very convenient for me.
Therefore, for the above-mentioned reasons, I chose to live in the university student accommodation. The specific option may turn out to be more expensive than, for example, renting a private studio apartment, but you enjoy some great benefits!
Some final advice:
- Whether you choose to live in university student accommodation or private rented accommodation, my advice is to avoid leaving it for the last moment!
- According to my experience, the rooms from the university tend to be rented very quickly! On the other hand, if you choose to rent privately, make sure you stay away from possible scams.
- In case you haven’t found your permanent accommodation, ensure you have a place to stay at least for the first few days!
- Try to find a room as close as possible to the university to gain time and money!
- Try to get in touch with other students who either studied in Leicester in the past or are currently studying there.
- Finally, the university website can be a good and useful starting point for your accommodation search: https://le.ac.uk/study/postgraduates/accommodation
Photo taken by Vicky Giannou, view from Opal Court.
Written by Vicky Giannou
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