Due to the increasing number of applicants each year, the price of accommodation for most universities tend to rise over the year.
Hence, to study in Cambridge, your budget should increase. But, most students seek cheaper accommodation due to lack of fund.
If you fall in the category of student looking for a cheap accommodation in Cambridge, then you’re just in the right place.
We will show you a list of cheap student accommodation you can find in Cambridge and how to get one fast. Use the table of content below for easy navigation.
What’s Student Accommodation Like in Cambridge?
Cambridge has a variety of accommodation available and their rooms vary from medieval to modern. Whatever your choice may be, Cambridge is making sure that you will have a room of your own and access to a shared kitchen and laundry room. Another type of housing you can find in Cambridge is shared accommodation. This is common to most international students. It is considerably cheap and saves costs for them. At Cambridge, you don’t have to choose between ‘catered’ or ‘self-catered’ accommodation. There are basic self-catering facilities available if you want to cook yourself, and all universities offer catering services where you can buy cafeteria-style meals as well as three-course dinners at a reasonable price. Also, colleges encourage community meals; this is an opportunity to make friends and meet new people. While a small number of colleges require that you have a certain number of meals at Buttery or the cafeteria each term. In addition, each school has a team of porters to ensure the safety of staff and students. As one of the pillars of university life, porters are usually the first point of contact for any problem at the college or if you need information.
Types of Student Accommodation in Cambridge
As we earlier stated, there are three basic types of accommodation that exist at Cambridge. It includes: on-campus, off-campus, and shared accommodation. On-campus is basically the best among others and it is very close to school, but quite difficult to secure one. As a new student, you need to apply on time to secure your chosen room. Private student accommodation is another type of accommodation most students in any Cambridge universities will opt for. It offers comfortability and you are free to make a choice based on your budget. Shared accommodation is for low budget students who don’t mind sharing a room with another student. In a bid to save costs, most students are comfortable choosing the shared accommodation. Finally, there are some students who will opt for studio accommodation. This type is called an exclusive apartment because they are well furnished to your taste.
How Much Does it Cost to Get Student Accommodation in Cambridge?
The cost of any accommodation in Cambridge varies from college to college and often depends on the type and style of the room you want. If you’re an international student, you should always understand that the cost of accommodation is a serious budget to consider before going to Cambridge. Because the cost will not be so cheap as you expected. However, one of the best ways to save costs as a student in Cambridge is by getting accommodation that is within your budget. Colleges in Cambridge offers accommodation in a range price of bands to suit different budgets, and the rent varies on the size and facilities. Also, Cambridge students only pay rent for the period in which they are resident in Cambridge. And most universities’ accommodation fees last for 30 weeks which is longer than the number of weeks you spend for study. From our study, the cost of on-campus student accommodation in Cambridge ranges from £2,400 and £4,000 per year. While the cost of private student accommodation ranges from £4,560 – £9,670 per year. However, a student can choose to pay per week based on their budget. We estimate the range of student accommodation, depending on the size and range of facilities, to be between £100 and £140 per week. On average, weekly student accommodation should be £104.25. It’s important you know that the actual cost of a student accommodation totally depends on the room and style they choose. Hence, we’ve estimated that in the 2020-21 academic session students should expect to pay approximately £2,400 – £10, 200 on the average for any student accommodation in Cambridge per year.
What are the Factors to Consider when Choosing Student Accommodation in Cambridge?
New students preparing for college life are often faced with lots of decisions to make. One of them that poses a challenge is where to study. Once you’ve chosen where you want to study, the next big question on the list is, “where will I live?” Before deciding where to live, there are many factors most students should always consider. Checking out these factors will help you make a good decision.
#1. Closeness to School
The key factor you need to consider before getting a student accommodation is the location of the house. The location of your accommodation can make a huge difference in your college experience. Your closeness to campus saves you a long walk or transport fare to school. So, it is important to think about the convenience of your accommodation.
#2. Safety of the Community
Before choosing any student apartment, always consider the safety of the facility and environment. This is very important but most students always overlook this factor due to the excitement they feel after securing admission to their dream school. Whether you like it or not, the safety of your residential area contributes 23% to your student experience. So, it will be worth the accommodation, such as the security systems, and if there will be porters to make you feel safe.
#3. Cost of Accommodation
The aim of looking for cheap student accommodation in Cambridge is to save cos. So, it is good to stick to your initial plan. The cost of the accommodation you’re choosing should not be more than your budget. As you check the cheap accommodation we stated below, make sure you’re putting your budget into consideration.
#4. Comfortability
Another important factor you need to consider is the comfort of the place you’re choosing. You should know what you expect from your room before you starting looking. The comfort of the room in your accommodation can include a designed bedroom with a study room, an exclusive dining area, a gym area, and so on.
How Do I Get Student Accommodation in Cambridge Cheap & Fast?
Accommodations in Cambridge are quite on the high side, so students are opting for any cheap accommodation they can find in Cambridge. Cambridge is experiencing a high number of students each year based on the quality of their universities. This has caused a great increase in population. Although this is a good reputation for Cambridge, it poses a great challenge with regards to accommodation. Because most universities’ residential halls are not large enough to accommodate the large number of students that apply. Hence, they operate on a first come first serve basis. If you’re looking for the easy way to cheap student accommodation in Cambridge, you should follow this guide we’ve outlined below. We promise you that you will get enough knowledge on how to get the best and most affordable student accommodation fast.
Step 1: Check the School Accommodation First
The first thing to do is to check your school website for information about student accommodation. You can find the necessary accommodation guidelines, fees, and how to apply. This is applicable to students that prefer a school hall of residence to private accommodation.
Step 2: Consider Your Budget Before Applying
Considering you budget means you have to opt for an accommodation that is considerably cheap. So, in choosing a student accommodation in Cambridge, you need to verify how much it will cost you and if it is within your budget. Remember that rent is not the only fee you have to pay. You’ll also have to pay for gas, electricity, internet, and furniture.
Step 3: Make Sure You Apply on Time
To get a cheap student accomodation in cambrideg, you need to apply on time. From our study, the best period to apply for accomodation is between two-three months before school resumption. It is the best option for any student who is considering their budget.
Step 4: Ask Questions Before Paying
Make sure not to pay for accommodation without asking questions. You can write a list of questions and ask the landlord or property managers. Start by asking “What facilities are shared? (eg, laundry)? Does the rental include utilities or internet access? Are you allowed to have guests? What about pets, parking, bicycle lockup? This information is very important, especially for international students.
Where to Get Student Accommodation in Cambridge Very Cheap
The first place to get cheap student accommodation is at your school accommodation website. Each university at Cambridge has comfortable hall residences that students can apply for. As mentioned above, you should endeavor to apply on time. Other places to get student accommodation at an affordable price are through agencies. They can help you identify the cheapest accommodation within the area you have chosen. Here is list of the best places to get cheap student accommodation in Cambridge:
#1. Longview Terrace:
Longview Terrace is located just off Histon Road just over 1 mile away from the city center, just a 23 minute walk away. The property is perfect for students and sharers studying in the city with Anglia Ruskin University being a 35-minute walk away.
#2. Hemingford Road:
Hemingford Road is located just under 2 miles from Cambridge City Centre around a 27-minute walk. If you are a student, Anglia Ruskin University is only a 16-minute walk away. Most popular and cheap student accommodation you can find here includes:
#3. Victoria Road:
ictoria Street is located less than half a mile away from the city centre of Cambridge only a short 15 minute walk away. This property is perfect for sharers who are studying and working in Cambridge with Anglia Ruskin University being just a 22 minute walk away.
#4. Histon Road:
Histon Road is located in Arbury, just over a mile from Cambridge city center, a 17-minute walk away. This student accommodation is perfect for sharers. It is located close to excellent transport links to campuses around Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University and it is a 30-minute walk away.
How Else Can I Pay for My Student Accommodation in Cambridge?
There are several options available that can aid you to pay for your accommodation. Most schools at Cambridge offer student scholarships that cover the cost of accommodation. Also, the colleges and universities in Cambridge commit to the principle of giving financial support necessary for the successful completion of student courses. The support ranges from tuition, medical expenses, books, and accommodation. So, if you’re a student having financial issues, contact your school bursary department and you might get the help you need through scholarships and financial aid. You can get very cheap accommodation from the following cities in Cambridge: Longview Terrace, Hemingford Road, Victoria Road, and Histon Road. Yes, students who book early often get good discounts and pay much less rent for their accommodation. You can also utilize the discounts and cashback from group bookings in Cambridge. Yes, you can find shared accommodation all over Cambridge, but some house owners doesn’t allow sharing your apartment with a stranger. We’ve estimated that in the 2020-21 academic session students should expect to pay approximately £2,400 – £10, 200 on the average for any student accommodation in Cambridge per year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cambridge is an affordable place for all students and has a strong record of providing cheap student accommodation over the years. As a student looking for cheap accommodation, affordability will not be a barrier to come to Cambridge.
