Accommodation for international students: third years

Completing your second year at university can feel like a real success. You are heading into the final year of your degree in many cases, looking toward an exciting future.

However, this also means that there are a lot of practical things to think about. How heavy the workload will be during your third year. As an international student, you might be considering where you will work after finishing your degree and what kinds of job prospects await you after graduation. More pressingly though, you will need to know where you will live during your third year.

Considering your immediate accommodation requirements after the summer is over is an essential part of entering your third year calmly, ready to tackle this rewarding but challenging time. Here, we will explore the student accommodation options available for third-year international students and how you can find the right accommodation option for you.

Accommodation options for third-year international students

As a third-year student, you still have a great range of accommodation options open to you. Some international students choose to remain in university halls of residence. This can be especially appealing if you live with other international students and have built firm friendships, which your university may encourage as this is your final year of study.

However, in some cases, you may wish to branch out from your university while remaining with other students. Private or independent halls of residence are separate from your university campus. As student halls of residence on the university campus are often given on a first come, first served basis with first years usually having priority, this can be a good alternative option for you

If you want to live alone, you can privately rent a self-contained studio or one-bedroom apartment like what we offer at Mansion Tyne in Newcastle. However, if you want to move in with friends and fellow students, you can opt for a larger flat like one of our three-beds in Peterson Hall, Dundee.

Another option is a homestay. This is when you move in with a local family as a lodger and enjoy living in their home. This is a great way to get some home comforts and a quieter pace of life. You can also gain more exposure to local culture and focus more on studying than on socialising with fellow students. Homestays are not the cheapest option for international students, but they do offer flexibility if you are visiting for a shorter period of time, for example, exchange students.

Finding the right accommodation option for you

Your accommodation requirements are unique to you, so choosing where to live will be a very personal choice. It can be difficult to decide where to live as a third-year student, but there are several factors to consider.

First of all, think about location. Do you want to live on campus, in the city centre, or a little further out in a quieter neighbourhood? By your third year, you will be familiar with your university surroundings and can venture a little further afield if you wish to. You should, however, make sure that the university campus is still accessible and that there are plenty of good transport options to you.

Who you choose to live with will have a big impact on the kind of accommodation you go for. If you want to live alone to focus on your studies, you can choose a studio or one-bedroom apartment, or if you have close friends you wish to live with then you might opt for a larger property that can accommodate all of you. Make sure that, when you choose people to share your accommodation with, you all have similar expectations of the kind of property you will want to live in and the type of environment it will be.

When looking at a property, pay close attention to the features and facilities it offers. For example, is there ample storage for your belongings, and is there somewhere to gather with your friends and/or fellow students? Whatever your priorities are, ensure the property you choose ticks your most important boxes. You should also make sure that the property is in a secure location and is in good condition when you move in.

Take a look at your budget, too. Where you live and who you live with will be impacted by what you can afford. Once you have decided on this, you can arrange a viewing. If you are currently overseas, these can sometimes be done virtually. We offer panoramic and video tours for many of our Mansion Student properties, so you don’t have to view them in-person if you can’t visit for whatever reason.

If you are struggling to find a private rental that meets your standards and requirements, then your university accommodation office should be able to provide more targeted support based on your needs as a third-year student.

Renting privately with Mansion Student

If you want to live in privately rented, purpose-built accommodation in your third year, then Mansion Student could be the perfect choice for you. We have purpose-built accommodation in several major university cities across the UK, including Nottingham, Leeds and Newcastle.

Renting privately gives you more choice than you may find in university halls, while still giving you the opportunity to live with fellow students. You have the option of sharing with friends in an apartment or living in your own self-contained studio, depending on availability.

Our accommodation is secure and maintained to a high standard, giving you a safe place to enjoy your third year. We are well situated in central or convenient locations for universities and the other amenities you may need.

We also understand how stressful your third year can be, and offer a host of wellbeing support, if you are struggling with being away from home and just need to talk through any worries or concerns you may have. When you stay with Mansion Student, you are getting more than just a place to live!

With onsite Hospitality and Maintenance teams and exemplary service for all students, you can embrace your third year in a fantastic living space, giving you the chance to focus on your studies and decide on your next adventure.