When I first received my offer to study at the University of Glasgow, one of the biggest questions on my mind was where I would live. As an international student, I did not know much about the local housing market, and I wanted a safe, straightforward option. During my first year, I decided to stay in university accommodation, which turned out to be an excellent way to settle into student life.

After completing my degree, however, I moved into a private let, and that process gave me perspective on how student housing works in the UK. My experiences in both types of accommodation—university halls and private rental—have taught me a lot about how students can find suitable housing, what challenges they may face, and what factors they need to keep in mind while searching.

University accommodation

The University of Glasgow has its own system of student residences, and the application process was relatively straightforward. Once I had accepted my offer to study, I went directly to the university’s accommodation website. The system allowed me to rank up to four different options, and then whichever one was available would be offered to me. I found this process quite simple and stress-free because it removed the need to contact multiple or agents. I was eventually placed in Havannah House, which became my home for the entire academic year.

One important detail about university accommodation is the payment structure. The university provides flexibility by allowing students to pay the rent either in one single payment upfront or in installments. For me, the easiest option was to pay it yearly. At the time of booking, I paid £600 in advance to secure my place, and then the rest of the payment was due when I moved in. Having this option worked well for me, as it meant I did not have to worry about monthly bills during the busy term time.

Living in Havannah House was also a smooth experience overall. The facilities were reliable, maintenance requests were handled quickly, and the environment was designed for students. One of the biggest advantages of university halls is the community aspect—being surrounded by other students made it easier to make friends, settle into Glasgow, and feel part of campus life. For many first-year students, especially those new to the UK, this kind of accommodation provides both security and convenience.

Collage of photos. From left to right: students taking a selfie outside university accommodation; view from student accommodation room at Havannah House overlooking Glasgow Cathedral

Collage of photos. From left to right: view of internal courtyard at Havannah House with accommodation in the background; student looking out of window in accommodation room over Glasgow; internal view of the room

Moving to a private let

After my one-year lease at Havannah House ended and I had completed my degree, I decided to move into private rental accommodation. This was a very different process compared to applying for university housing. Instead of simply selecting my preferences and waiting for an offer, I had to be much more proactive and dedicated in my search.

I started by using several popular platforms in the UK housing market: Zoopla, Rightmove, OpenRent, and SpareRoom. Each platform has its own strengths, but I found SpareRoom to be particularly useful because it allows students to look for rooms that match very specific preferences, such as location, budget, and type of household. This helped me narrow down my choices and eventually led me to find a home that suited my needs.

Searching for a private let is not always easy, though. Students need to be extremely active, constantly checking listings, and ready to respond quickly. Good properties can disappear within hours of being listed, especially in a city with high student demand like Glasgow. Patience and persistence are essential in this process.

Collage of photos. From top left in a clockwise direction: view of room in a private rented flat; three students sitting together by the window; three students standing together by the window.

Things students should know about private lets

There are several important factors that students should keep in mind when looking for private rentals. One of the biggest is the requirement of a UK guarantor. Many landlords or letting agencies ask for a guarantor—usually a UK-based resident who agrees to cover the rent if the tenant is unable to pay. For international students, this can be challenging because they may not have family or relatives living in the UK. Some students resolve this by using professional guarantor services, although these often come with additional fees.

Another key consideration is property rent payment schedules. Unlike university accommodation, which often has clear options for annual or installment payments, private landlords may prefer monthly rent. Students need to budget carefully and ensure they can manage regular payments on time. In some cases, landlords might ask for several months of rent upfront if the student cannot provide a UK guarantor. This can be a heavy financial burden, so it is important to clarify these conditions before signing any contract.

I also learned that students should pay close attention to the tenancy agreement. Every detail matters, from the length of the lease to whether bills are included, to the notice period required if you want to move out. Unlike university halls, where everything is packaged and standardized, private lets vary widely depending on the landlord and property.

Comparing the two experiences

Looking back, I feel fortunate to have experienced both university and private accommodation. Staying in Havannah House gave me an easy transition into life in Glasgow—it was predictable, convenient, and provided a ready-made student community. On the other hand, moving into a private let after my degree gave me independence, flexibility, and a more realistic experience of living in the UK housing market.

If I had to summarize the main difference, I would say that university accommodation is designed to be smooth and secure for students, while private lets require more effort, independence, and financial planning. For first-year students or those new to Glasgow, I would definitely recommend applying for university accommodation early, ideally as soon as they receive their offer letter. For students who are comfortable with the city and want more independence, exploring the private rental market can be rewarding, as long as they are prepared to search actively and negotiate with landlords.

Accommodation is one of the most important aspects of student life. Where you live shapes your daily routine, your friendships, and your overall experience at university. For me, the transition from Havannah House to a private let was a natural progression—from the structured environment of student halls to the independence of private renting. While both had their challenges, each stage taught me valuable lessons.

For new students at the University of Glasgow, my advice would be simple: if you want convenience and peace of mind, book university accommodation early and take advantage of the payment flexibility. If you are ready for more independence, start exploring platforms like Zoopla, Rightmove, OpenRent, and SpareRoom, and be prepared to work hard to find a place that truly fits your preferences. Either way, with planning and persistence, you will find a home that supports your academic journey.

All photos in this blog are attributed to Ritika Choudhary

First published: 26 September 2025

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