Manchester is a great student city, attracting thousands of students from across the globe in the search for a high-quality education and living in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities. According to QS, Manchester ranked 30th worldwide as a student city. This is all thanks to the standard of living that the city has, as well as its high-quality institutions and research, not to mention the city’s great lifestyle. For students planning to study in the city, one thing’s for sure: knowing the cost of living in the city, which also includes student accommodation in Manchester UK is essential before making the decision to travel.
Getting the Numbers
According to a recent study, student accommodation costs in Manchester can range from £364 to £411 weekly. This, however, can vary based on various factors, including location, accommodation type, amenities, and booking time.
Accommodation Type:
Accommodation types have a great significance in determining the cost of accommodation, as each has different amenities and different levels of privacy. Below is the average cost for each accommodation type.
One-bedroom Flats and Studios:
One-bedroom apartments cost an average of £800-£1,200+ per month, depending on the apartment’s location, building amenities, and size. One-bedroom apartments typically have separate house areas separated from the bedroom; these include a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom.
On the other hand, studios are more compact; they are typically in an open-plan setting and have all the previously mentioned features in one open-plan setting. Studios cost an average of £650-£900+ per month.
En-Suite Rooms
En-suite rooms have all the amenities found in a studio except for a kitchen, which is shared among other tenants. These offer slightly less privacy than studios, but they are great for having some privacy and being more affordable. En-suite rooms typically cost £450-£700+ per month. This will also depend on location, room size, and building amenities.
Shared Rooms:
Shared rooms are the cheapest options, and these are ideal for students travelling on a budget and who do not mind sharing the room with another tenant(s). Shared rooms can cost an average of £300-£500+ per month.
Location:
Location also plays a major role in the price of accommodation options, with options near the city centre being more expensive than options in the suburbs. Another location factor impacting price is proximity to educational campuses. Price differences based on location are as follows:
- Private apartments
- In the city centre: £800-£1,200+ per month
- In the suburbs: £650-£900+ per month
- Studios
- In the city centre: £550-£1,000+ per month
- In the suburbs: £400-£800+ per month
- En-suite rooms
- In the city centre:£550-£700+ per month
- In the suburbs: £450-£600+ per month
- Shared rooms
- In the city centre:£400-£500+ per month
- In the suburbs: £300-£400+ per month
Private Accommodation vs PBSA (Purposely-Built Student Accommodation)
Private accommodation differs in cost from PBSA options; private lets can be pricier and may not include utilities in the rent. Private lets, however, offer much more flexibility compared to PBSA options.
PBSA options can be more affordable and mostly have bills included in the rent. PBSA options, however, are more limited in number compared to private lets. PBSAs also tend to have various facilities, such as on-site gyms, laundry, lounges, etc. They are also specially built for students, so they have student needs in mind, translating to various unique student-friendly features.
To get a better perspective, here are the different price ranges listed for both PBSA and Private Let options in Manchester:
- Studios
- PBSA: £650-£900+ per month (Bills often included)
- Private Lets: £550-£1,000+ per month (Bills can be excluded)
- En-suite rooms
- PBSA: £500-£800+ per month (Bills often included)
- Private Lets: £450-£900+ per month (Bills can be excluded)
- Shared rooms
- PBSA: £350-£550+ per month (Bills often included)
- Private Lets: £300-£700+ per month (Bills can be excluded)
You can also consider staying on campus, which is the most convenient housing option. University of Manchester housing, for instance, can cost £180 to £320 per week in its traditional halls; however, these are extremely in demand and are limited.
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Other Contributing Factors:
Other than the previously mentioned factors, other factors affect the price of accommodation options; these include booking timing, accommodation size, and building amenities.
Regarding booking time, it is recommended that you start searching for accommodation before September, as prices tend to peak during that month. In terms of amenities, it is estimated that each premium amenity can add to the rent anywhere between £30 to £100+ per month, depending on the amenity.
Utilities are essential to consider when finding an accommodation/ student flat in Manchester, as these can add £100 to £150 to your budget.
How to Find Your Perfect Manchester Student Accommodation:
After considering your priorities: budget, privacy, amenities, or proximity to the university campus, you could also consider additional factors contributing to finding your most suitable accommodation.
There is more that determines what makes your perfect Manchester student accommodation; consider your lifestyle and needs. Do you like going out and desire a vibrant environment, or do you prefer a quiet one? Other lifestyle considerations also extend to property amenities. For instance, if you cannot study in your room, it may help to choose a property with a study area, or if you enjoy going to the gym, you may consider a building with one.
You could also check if the building has elements that suit your preferences, such as natural lighting, offering amazing city views, or being pet-friendly.
Consider the area, your surroundings, and your walkability; if the area has access to services, restaurants, cafes, and more, it would also be great if the place matches your personality.
Lastly, you could rely on expert support such as student accommodation, which can allocate the most suitable options based on your preferences at no additional cost. You can also request virtual viewing links to view the property from the comfort of your home and determine if it is convenient.
So there you have it! Finding student accommodation in Manchester can be easy if you start your hunt early, list your priorities, and carefully budget your expenses.