Budget and affordability are crucial for students planning to live in two vibrant cities known for academic excellence and cultural diversity – Glasgow and Birmingham. With the continued growth of student numbers, there is also an increasing demand for affordable and comfortable student accommodation in Birmingham & Glasgow. In planning student accommodation in these cities, careful planning and a thorough understanding of the local market are essential. To explore modern and convenient housing options for both UK and international students in Leeds, be sure to visit Scape for a comprehensive look at their student accommodation offerings.
This article explores the key factors that influence accommodation prices, budgeting strategies, and suggestions for finding suitable accommodation that meets the needs and financial constraints of students.
By focusing on the specific dynamics of these cities, we aim to provide students with knowledge that enables them to make informed decisions during their academic journey while maintaining financial stability.
Cost of Living in Glasgow & Birmingham
On average, student accommodation in Glasgow costs between £80 and £900 per week, while the average cost of student accommodation in Birmingham is between £120 and £500 per week. Although Glasgow and Birmingham are far apart, and student accommodation costs can vary depending on location, type of accommodation, and facilities provided, the student living options in both cities are generally similar.
On-campus student accommodation
On average, university accommodation is the most popular choice, offering a range of benefits and costing around £80 to £200 per week.
- Convenience: University dormitories are usually located within or near the campus, which makes it easy for students to access classrooms and other educational facilities without worrying about long commutes.
- Social Opportunities: Living in university dormitories, students have the opportunity to establish connections with classmates from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and majors. This multicultural social environment helps cultivate students’ cross-cultural communication skills and broaden their horizons.
- Safety: University dormitories usually have access control systems and have dedicated dormitory supervisors responsible for safety. This allows students to live in a relatively safe environment, reducing the safety risks they may face if they live outside the dormitory.
- Support Services: University dormitories typically offer a range of support services, such as laundry facilities, internet access, and maintenance services. Additionally, dormitory supervisors can provide students with advice and guidance on school life and studies.
- Meals: Some dormitories offer catered meal services, and students can dine in the canteen.
Off-campus student accommodation
On the other hand, private student accommodation is also becoming increasingly popular among students. These apartments, operated by third-party apartment providers, are also known as Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) and offer a range of prices and types of rooms to cater to students’ needs. The price range for these apartments is wider, usually ranging from £130 to £400 per week:
- Convenient location: PBSA properties are typically located in popular areas of cities, where transport links are good, and students can easily reach university campuses or other locations. This convenience can save commuting time, allowing students to devote more time to studying and participating in extracurricular activities.
- Social Opportunities: Students living in PBSA often come from different backgrounds and universities, providing a diverse social environment for students. This environment helps students build a wide social network, promote cross-cultural communication, and enrich their learning and life experiences.
- Fully equipped: PBSA typically provides a full range of modern facilities, including spacious communal areas, laundry facilities, gyms, study rooms, etc. These facilities provide students with a comfortable and convenient living environment, allowing them to focus on their studies.
- High Security: PBSA properties are usually equipped with professional security personnel and advanced surveillance systems to ensure the safety of students. Additionally, access control systems and emergency call facilities provide extra safety assurance for students.
- Support Services: PBSA typically provides a range of support services, such as accommodation management, maintenance services, and cleaning services. These services can ensure that students receive timely help and support when they encounter problems, making their accommodation experience more enjoyable and smooth.
Social properties
In addition to various student accommodations, students can also choose to live in social housing. For freshmen, living off-campus is a more flexible option. Besides being able to choose their living location freely, they can also have a deeper experience of the local life and culture. Generally speaking, the range of social housing options is huge, ranging from £80 to £1,000 per week, but students can lower their costs by renting with others:
- Affordability: Social housing may be cheaper than other accommodation options, allowing students to save on housing expenses.
- Inclusive communities: Social attributes can help promote diverse and inclusive communities, as they are usually able to welcome people from different backgrounds and income levels. This can provide students with rich cultural experiences and opportunities to interact with different groups of people.
- Location: Social housing for rent is available in various locations, and students can freely choose different areas and locations.
- Long-term stability: When renewing a lease for a social housing unit, the landlord typically prioritizes maintaining the current tenant. However, student apartments require students to book on their own.
- Fewer restrictions: In addition to the basic terms, most landlords of social housing for students do not impose additional restrictions on them. For example, as long as the landlord agrees, tenants are allowed to keep pets, while most student apartments do not allow pets.