Private Halls vs Student Houses: Battle of the Bedrooms

About the author: My name is Sophie Layton, and I’m an MA International Public & Political Communication and BSc Biology graduate from the University of Sheffield. I am currently the Managing Editor of WILD Magazine, Editor of Ed Fringe Review, and Newsletter Editor for the Essex International Jamboree, as well as former Arts & Theatre Editor of Forge Press. I am also the Digital Media Officer for the Student Publication Association. I am a keen thespian with the Sheffield University Theatre Company, with interests in culture, LGBTQ+ issues and political science.

Private Halls may be the new kid on the block, but how do they stack up to the classic student house?

BTR/PBSA is just one of the many types of student accommodation that you may want to consider as you start to for your next student home, but they are very different to student houses, each having their own benefits and drawbacks. Having lived in both, here are my pros and cons to think about if you’re considering living in private halls next year!

👍 Pro: strength in (whatever) numbers

Private halls, by design, have hundreds of rooms. So if your friend group is particularly large, or you can’t figure out precisely how many people are coming with you, PBSA may be a good option. By renting one room in a larger complex, many of your friends can be all in the same spot. Similarly, if someone in your group is unsure what their plans are, you’re less likely to be taking a risk – and they can come and join you when they know what their own plans are!

👎 Con: mo’ rooms, mo’ money

Student house prices are hugely variable, both between cities and even within the same area. But overall, PBSAs tend to cost more money per week than student houses do. Having lived in a student house for two years before moving into a PBSA, I noticed my weekly rent spike when switching between the two. Whilst this varies, the greater access to facilities that PBSAs often provide are always factored into your rent, so be sure to compare prices on the UniHomes website when deciding where to lay your head.

👍 Pro: “make your choice”

When looking at student houses, you clearly have a choice as to which house you go to, but besides that, everything’s a fairly set deal – you get your room within the house and all of the standard provisions. However, PBSAs are renowned for their access to other spaces and resources, from common areas to gaming setups, community events, gym access and more. As well as that, you can often choose your favoured room type, tailoring your choice much more than a student house affords you. This also gives you the chance to compare different PBSAs and find the perfect package.

👎 Con: who goes there?

Whilst a PBSA is fantastic for larger groups, this can also lead to you living with people you may have never met before. Many PBSAs, whilst giving you an individual room, will have a shared kitchen space. This can mean (like in student halls) that you may be living with people you won’t meet until you first move in. If this is something that doesn’t sound great, you could always opt for more private or studio provisions within PBSAs. And even if you do go in with new people, that’s not necessarily a bad thing…

👍 Pro: everyone, everywhere, all at once

Living in private halls places you in a crucible of students, with hundreds of young scholars like you all in the same place, which is a great opportunity to meet new people! You may find new coursemates, people from across the world, or in my case, someone who went to primary school with my best friend! It may be a small world, but PBSAs are great at bringing it all under one roof.

👎 Con: What is home?

Every home is a house but not every house is a home. And for some, a PBSA, no matter how nice it may be, will not feel like a student house. Whilst my PBSA had lots of amenities, was much closer to university and had hundreds of students in the same building, for me, it didn’t feel homely. If you’re looking for a very homely, rustic and cosy feel, you can’t beat a student house. Consider how important homeliness is to you, and use this to inform where you choose to go.

Whether you’re firmly set on a PBSA, a student house or somewhere in between, considering what you’re looking for is key. Have a look on the UniHomes website at some of the student house and PBSA options in your area, and you never know where you’ll end up!

For more info on pros and cons of different types of student accommodation (including flats/apartments, uni-owned halls of residence and living at home), read our blog post explaining student accommodation options.

Our UniHomes Content Ambassadors are current students across the UK who share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. If you're interested in writing for our programme, click here for more details.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.