Student halls of residence in Leicester

If you’re looking for a student residence in Leicester, and you still can't decide which one is ideal for you, keep reading! In this article we tell you the most important things you have to keep in mind about this type of accommodation. Among the facts we mention are their advantages and disadvantages, information on private and university residences, the simplest way to find cheap options, and answers to some of the frequently asked questions that students often ask. Let’s do this!

Pros and cons of living in a residence in Leicester

These are the most relevant characteristics of this type of accommodation in this English city:

Pros of living in student dorms in Leicester

They promote the integration and enrichment of the university experience, being able to meet other students as soon as you arrive at Leicester.
The most common thing is that all the expenses are included in the rental price, including Internet, water, electricity, gas, heating, and insurance.
Cleaning and maintenance of common areas are carried out by the residence staff. This prevents problems from arising in this regard with colleagues.
You can choose between residences that are on or off campus, depending on what you prefer.
They have common use spaces such as study areas, living rooms, gym, and/or patio to enjoy with other residents.

Cons of living in student dorms in Leicester

Sharing the bathroom and kitchen with many students can be quite a challenge. Plus, they may be constantly occupied.
There are usually strict coexistence rules regarding visiting hours and other restrictions. This takes away independence compared to private apartments.
It could be difficult to integrate with locals outside the student community, becoming largely dependent on the other residents.
There’s a high demand for residences in Leicester, so it can be difficult to get a place (especially in university residences).
Living with so many people can make concentrating on studies a complicated task, try not to get FOMO!
There’s usually little flexibility to personalise the room.

Private student residences in Leicester

Leicester is a city that welcomes a large number of students every year, so there’s a large availability of private student accommodation. Most of them have a convenient location, that is, they’re close to the universities and the centre of Leicester.

Single rooms are the most common type of accommodation in private residences. Usually the cheapest ones have a shared bathroom, while those that are en-suite have a higher cost. You’ll also find studio apartments and rooms with higher prices due to their larger size.

Among the common facilities that they normally offer to students are: study room, living area with sofas and television, cinema room, garden or patio, gym and fitness room, laundry, and shared kitchens.

Regarding the services that they offer, all have 24-hour security (personal or video surveillance), cleaning of common areas, and maintenance. Many of the residences also have bicycle parking, which will be very useful if you decide to buy a second-hand one to use during your stay.

University student halls of residence in Leicester

University halls of residence in Leicester are accommodations provided directly by educational institutions. They’re commonly called halls of residence. Among them we can differentiate those that are inside the campus (on campus) or outside (off campus), generally with good access to it. You should know that, normally, it’s exchange students or first-year students who choose to be on-campus, since it allows easier integration into student life.

If we talk about the type of accommodation that can be chosen in a university residence, there’s usually a great variety. The most economical is a double room, although there’s usually not much availability. From then on, the prices go up for the single rooms with shared bathroom, en-suite rooms (with their own bathroom), compact studio apartments, and one-bedroom flats.

A notable advantage of university residences is the proximity to academic resources, such as libraries and laboratories. However, life in them can be less flexible, with stricter rules on visitors and hours. Additionally, space and privacy may be limited, which could be a drawback for some students.

Another feature that university residences may or may not include is food service. There are some that do include breakfast, lunch, and dinner (in that case they’re called catered), and there are others that have common kitchens for each resident to organise their meals (called self-catered).

It’s common that in the rental price all services offered by the residences are included, such as the costs of gas, electricity, water bills, etc. Additionally, in the case of those that have food service, it’s also included in the price that appears in the advertisement.

University Residences of the University of Leicester

This institution has student residences both on and off campus. All of them are self-catered, so you have to take care of your food. Regarding the type of accommodation, they usually have single rooms (with or without a private bathroom), although in some cases shared rooms and studio apartments are also offered.

In this article you’ll find information about housing close to the University of Leicester, in case you want to know more about the subject.

University Residence Halls of the De Montfort University

Most of the residences of this University are located on campus, although there are also some located outside the campus but close to it. They usually offer shared flats, with between four and ten rooms. In some cases the rooms have their own bathroom, but the most common is that they have shared bathrooms among all the residents of that apartment. It should be noted that, usually, apartments that have between five and ten rooms have two bathrooms and two showers.

Check out this other article for information on accommodation close to De Montfort University.

Rent cheap student residences in Leicester

The cost of student residences in this city is usually quite affordable compared to other English cities, although it always depends on the type you choose and the facilities and amenities they have. In our Erasmus Play search engine you can compare between the different ones available, filtering between the most important characteristics for you. You can also make the reservation 100% online and securely!

Frequently Asked Questions about student dorms in Leicester

What are the requirements to live in a student residence in Leicester?
The main requirement is to be a student at a University located in the city, or be a student at the same institution that offers the residence. Other requirements are a deposit of two months' rent, demonstrating financial solvency (sometimes a guarantor is necessary), and even presenting personal or academic references.
How much does a student residence in Leicester cost?
The cost varies widely depending on location, services included and type of accommodation. Prices can range from £90 to £200 per week for a standard room, while more luxurious or serviced options can cost more. (Note that the price we mentioned is weekly, not monthly, something that is very common to use in the United Kingdom).
What’s cheaper, a flat or a student residence in Leicester?
Renting a room in a private shared flat is generally cheaper than living in a student residence in Leicester. However, keep in mind that this is usually because residences offer additional services included in the price, such as security, maintenance, and access to communal facilities, which can increase the total cost.
When to apply for a student residence in Leicester?
This English city is very popular among students, both for its atmosphere and the prestige of its institutions. For this reason, we recommend you make the reservation as soon as you can. Places tend to fill up quickly, especially in affordable accommodation with good features and location.
Are there female and male halls of residence in Leicester?
In Leicester, university residences are usually mixed, but there are accommodation options that are distinguished by gender. These options depend on the policy of each student hall and university, as well as availability.