Student halls of residence in Manchester

If you plan to live in this English city and are looking for student residences in Manchester, here you’ll find a useful guide on this type of accommodation. We tell you about their advantages and disadvantages, the differences between private and university residences, tips for finding cheaper options, and answers to frequently asked questions from students. Let’s do this!

Pros and cons of living in a residence in Manchester

Some of the most notable features of this type of accommodation in the English city are:

Pros of living in student dorms in Manchester

They include the cost of basic services such as electricity, Internet, gas, and water in the rent.
It gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself in a multicultural environment, enriching your experience with the diversity of its international students.
The cleaning of common spaces and maintenance are covered, facilitating coexistence and avoiding disputes.
You can choose between residences with a prepared food included (catered) or with a kitchen so you can prepare your own dishes (self-catered), according to your culinary preferences.
They have a wide variety of common areas to enjoy with colleagues of the residence. Among the most common are: gym, study rooms, leisure rooms with sofa or games, music and cinema space.
They can offer many benefits to their residents, which can be discounts on pubs in Manchester, events and organised activities.

Cons of living in student dorms in Manchester

Many of these residences don’t offer bed linen, towels, and kitchenware. This means you have to take care of it, taking them from home or buying them when you arrive in Manchester.
Some have more than 1,000 rooms, which can be a disadvantage if you prefer to live in a slightly quieter environment. In any case, in residences it’s usually more difficult to concentrate on studies, even if they have 280 rooms.
They usually have many rules to follow regarding schedules of use of common areas, noise schedules and inviting people from outside the residence. There may also be restrictions on space customisation.
The rental cost is very high! They offer several spaces to enjoy, but the cost is still usually quite expensive compared to private apartments.
It usually limits the possibility of socialising outside the university environment, which is even increased in the residences that are within the campuses.

Private student residences in Manchester

In Manchester you’ll find a large number of private student residences from which you can choose. Some of them are very big, hosting a large number of students in more than 1,000 rooms, while others are smaller in comparison, with about 280 rooms. This will affect your daily life, since in the former there’s always something happening and, generally, there will always be someone in the common areas. Think carefully if you prefer to be in a residence that’s so lively or if you prefer something a little quieter.

Regarding the type of accommodation offered by these residences, the most common thing is that you’ll find rooms with a private bathroom and studio apartments, which have a private bathroom and kitchen. The latter are the ones that normally have the highest price, although pay close attention, because sometimes they can be studio-type apartments with two beds, that is, to be shared between two people (which will make the monthly cost a little cheaper).

To enjoy free time and not be in the room all the time, the residences have spaces that you can use with other roommates. They usually have study rooms, game rooms with ping pong, billiards or table football, music and karaoke space, gym and fitness room. Additionally, other details that may be included are: free to use bicycles, workshops, events, and fun activities.

University student halls of residence in Manchester

In this English city, the university residences, those that belong to the universities themselves, are called student halls. They can be located either on-campus or off-campus. Choosing on-campus housing can be more expensive, but the price varies depending on the accommodation and its services.

These university residences also differ in whether or not they have food included. The ones that are catered, those that do offer daily meals, usually also have a small kitchen so you can cook something on days when they don't have service. For their part, the self-catered can have common kitchens for several residents to use or a kitchen on each studio flat.

These residences also have facilities designed for students to be in community and enjoy free time. Among them there are usually living rooms, a gym and games. Also, if you live on-campus, you’ll also be able to easily access all the university facilities, such as the sports courts.

One detail to keep in mind is that university residences in Manchester don’t usually include amenities such as: bedding, pillows and duvets, towels, kitchenware, pots and pans, and adapters for electrical connections. Take a good look at what yours includes to see if you can bring something from home or if you have to buy it when you get to the city.

University Residences of the University of Manchester

This institution has three campuses in different parts of the city, and also offers several residences that are in proximity to each of them. Keep in mind that, in them, first-year full course students and international Master's students have priority.

Rent cheap student residences in Manchester

At Erasmus Play you can explore a variety of options for private residences, verified and ready for your stay in Manchester. Take advantage of the filters to find the perfect option that meets your preferences. Once you find your ideal residence, you can make your booking completely online and securely through Erasmus Play, thus solving your accommodation needs easily.

Frequently Asked Questions about student dorms in Manchester

What are the requirements to live in a student residence in Manchester?
In addition to being a student at a university in the English city, you must complete an application and, in some cases, pay a security deposit. It’s also common to ask for proof of financial solvency, to ensure you can cover the rent, or a local guarantor, but this can be avoided if you make full payment from the beginning.
How much does a student residence in Manchester cost?
The cost of a room varies according to several factors, but it’s estimated to usually be between £625 and £1,000 per month. These prices may vary depending on location, services included and room type.
What’s cheaper, a flat or a student residence in Manchester?
Generally, finding a room in a private shared flat can be cheaper than a student residence in Manchester, especially if you’re looking for options outside the city centre. However, the final cost depends on several factors like location, included services, and quality of accommodation. Student residences usually offer additional services included in the price, which can justify their higher cost compared to shared flats.
When to apply for a student residence in Manchester?
Applying for a spot should be done as soon as possible, ideally shortly after receiving your offer of admission from a university. Many residences operate on a “first come, first served” basis, and you also have to pay attention to the period in which they accept applications for their places.
Are there male and female halls of residence in Manchester?
The most common thing is to find mixed residences in this English city. However, some may offer women-only or men-only accommodation options, depending on policies and demand. Of course, sometimes you can find accommodation with areas or floors differentiated by gender in mixed residences.