Finding accommodation in the UK
Accommodation in the UK varies widely in type, cost, and availability depending on location. Understanding the common types of housing can help you search more effectively—whether through estate agents, university accommodation offices, or online platforms.
Types of properties
- Bedsit: A small, self-contained room that combines sleeping and living space, sometimes with basic cooking facilities. Bathrooms are usually shared with other tenants. Typically found in older converted houses or budget properties.
- Studio flat: A compact, self-contained unit combining bedroom and living area, with a private kitchen and bathroom. Suitable for individuals or couples.
- Flat/apartment: A self-contained unit with separate bedroom(s), living room, kitchen, and bathroom. Flats can be rented privately or as part of a flatshare, where you rent one bedroom and share communal areas with others.
- Maisonette: A flat arranged over two floors with its own private entrance, often offering more space than a standard apartment.
- Bungalow: A single-storey house, typically with its own garden. Less common in urban areas but often found in suburban or rural locations.
- Terraced house: A property connected to houses on both sides. Common in towns and cities, often divided for multiple tenants or shared housing.
- Semi-detached house: A house attached to one other, sharing a wall. May be rented as a whole or divided into shared units.
- Detached house: A standalone house not attached to any other buildings. Offers the most privacy, typically more expensive.
Shared accommodation and live-in landlords
Many researchers and students in the UK live in shared houses or flats, where you rent a private bedroom and share the kitchen, bathroom, and living space with other tenants. This can be more affordable and sociable, especially in high-cost areas.
You might also be a lodger, renting a room in a home where the landlord also lives. In this case, facilities are shared with the landlord, and your rental agreement may be less formal than a standard tenancy.
Where to search for accommodation
University housing offices often provide support for international researchers and postgraduate students, and may have rooms in university-managed halls or access to local housing lists.
Online platforms are widely used for private rentals. Common sites include:
Estate agents (letting agents) can help match you with available properties. Choose agents who are members of a recognised body, such as the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) or ARLA Propertymark.
You may also find private adverts in local newspapers, noticeboards, or online community groups.
If you're arranging accommodation before arriving in the UK, be cautious of scams and avoid paying deposits before visiting a property or verifying the legitimacy of the landlord or agent.