What to consider when choosing your student accomodation

Choosing student accommodation to stay in can be daunting as for many of you it will be the first time you are living by yourself. There are a lot of things to consider as some accommodations suit others more than others. Here are some of the things you may wish to consider when looking at your options and eventually choosing the right one for you.

• Budget

There are various options for accommodation at the university to suit individuals' finances. Some accommodation options are cheaper than others, so if lower prices are something more attractive to you, you may want to look at the cheaper options. However, if you have a larger financial budget in regard to accommodation costs, you may be drawn to the more expensive accommodation options. Before you choose your accommodation, work out how much money you are able to spend each month and how much you are able to spend on rent so you can confidently ensure your accommodation option fits into your financial budget.

• The 'toilet situation'

Yes, this is a thing you should very much consider when choosing accommodation. At the university, we have options to have either a shared bathroom or your own, en-suite. Whether you want to share a bathroom with others or just by yourself is a completely personal choice, but definitely something to think about.

• Location and distance to campus

The locations of our accommodations vary, for example, the Vale is around a 20-minute walk to campus but accommodations in Selly Oak are right on the universities doorstep, with a 10-minute walk to campus. You also want to think about the amenities that are close to the different options, such as shops and gym facilities, so the area surrounding is definitely something to consider also.

• Catered or non-catered?

At the university, there is the option to choose between catered and non-catered accommodation. If you do not know what catered means at our university, this is how it works here at Birmingham

''Each week, your student ID card will be loaded with £63.20 for you to spend at over 30 food and drink outlets across campus and The Vale. From Campus Express to Costa, you can use your card in most University cafés and restaurants, giving you easy access to the best food on campus''.

If this is something that sounds attractive to you, this could be something you consider, but if developing your cooking skills sounds more appealing, self-catered accommodation may be the one for you.

• Lifestyle

Everyone is different. Your personal wishes vary when thinking about what environment you want to live in. This could be that you would be more comfortable in a same-sex flat or a quiet flat. This could be for religious or personal reasons which is completely okay. At the university, you have the option to ask to live in a same-sex or quiet flat (where the university can accommodate), so if this is something you are thinking about, the option is definitely there.

These are just a few things I suggest to consider when choosing your accommodation. It's key to remember that choosing accommodation is a personal choice. Choose your accommodation on the basis of your individual needs and wishes.