There’s a lot to think about when choosing the right university for you, and student accommodation is just one of the many things to consider.

To give you a helping hand, we’ve put together a guide on how to choose your student accommodation, including explanations of the various terms and things to look out for.

Research your choices

Just as you have done when searching for your perfect university, it’s important that you research your options and work out the things which are most important to you. Make sure to read up on the various accommodation types, payment options, contract types and more – this will help you make informed choices!

Visiting an Open Day is a great opportunity to have a look around university accommodation and ask current residents about their experiences. If you aren’t able to visit campus, take advantage of our virtual reality tours or virtual events.

With so many options to pick from, you might also find it useful to draw up a priority list. For example, is cost your main concern? Would you prefer having your own bathroom? Having an idea of what’s most important to you will help filter out accommodation that doesn’t suit your needs. 

University-owned, managed partnership or private

When looking for accommodation, make sure to check whether it is owned by the University; run in partnership with us but owned by a private provider (managed partnership); or independently owned and managed by a private landlord.

Phrases such as ‘for Newcastle University students’ don’t always mean the site has anything to do with the University. You might also find there are significant differences in contract length and whether or not you need to provide a UK guarantor, for example.

(Managed partnership residences can change, so keep checking our website to make sure you have all the information you need about our available accommodation.) 

Contracts and contract duration

Contracts for University-owned and managed partnership undergraduate accommodation at Newcastle run for 39-40 weeks, and you usually move out shortly after the end of the academic year. 

If you want to stay in Newcastle a little longer during the summer, you can request a summer extension. However, these are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

For your peace of mind, your contract will run continuously throughout the year, meaning you don’t have to pack up your belongings during the holidays. Instead, you can leave you room as it is (hopefully, after some tidying up!) ready for your return.

Finally, we guarantee a room to all first-year undergraduate and postgraduate taught students (eligibility criteria apply).

Room types

Typically, accommodation is broken down into room types:

• Rooms with standard facilities: standard bedroom with shared kitchen and bathrooms 
• Rooms with washbasin: standard bedroom with your own private washbasin, but shared showers and toilets
• Rooms with an en suite: standard bedroom with a private bathroom that features a shower, washbasin, and toilet
• Rooms with premium en suite: larger bedroom with en suite facilities that can also include a bath
• Studio: featuring a bedroom, lounge, kitchen and bathroom

In general, the fewer facilities you share with others, the more you will have to pay for your accommodation.

Catered or self-catered

The majority of our accommodation is self-catered, but our Castle Leazes residence does offer a range of catered/meal plans.

Although cooking for yourself gives you the freedom to choose what, where and when to eat, being in a catered residence gives you more time to focus on your studies without having to worry about learning to cook or shopping for food.

Location

All our University-owned and managed partnership accommodation is in prime locations within easy reach of campus. You could choose to live in the vibrant city centre with its restaurants and shops, or the artsy Ouseburn area popular with students for its live music and culture.

But wherever you live, you’ll be in an exciting part of Newcastle, well-connected by public transport links to campus and University facilities, as well as surrounding areas.

Wherever you choose to live with us, we will look after you to ensure that your first year at university creates wonderful memories to last a lifetime. If you need further information or help in choosing your accommodation, don’t hesitate to contact our friendly Accommodation Team who will be more than happy to answer any questions or address any worries you might have.