As one of Glasgow’s favourite storage providers, we’ve welcomed the city’s student community for many, many years. Whether it’s due to a lack of storage in their accommodation, or they’re going home for the holidays, students have always utilised our secure storage units.
Home to three of Scotland’s most popular universities (University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University), Glasgow is one of the UK’s largest student cities with almost 115,000 students moving in and out of student accommodation and rented flats every year.
Choosing the right student accommodation can make or break your university experience, and this blog will discuss some top tips and tricks to help you make the best decision.
What types of student accommodation are available in Glasgow?
Students in Glasgow have lots of choice when it comes to choosing accommodation, whether that’s halls of residence provided by the university, purpose-built private student accommodation or flat sharing with other students.
Below, we will dive a little deeper into each of these types of accommodation for students and examine the pros and cons.
University Halls of Residence
Lots of first years choose university halls of residence as it provides one of the best opportunities to socialise, make new friends and have that ‘fresher’ experience.
Pros:
- The social nature of university halls can help new students form lasting friendships while maintaining a sense of independence
- Lots of flexibility in terms of catered/non-catered halls to choose from
- Bills are often included in the total cost, so there’s no need to worry about utilities
- Most halls are in close proximity to university campuses, making it cheap and easy to get to lectures
Cons:
- Some flats can have up to ten rooms with shared kitchen and bathrooms, which can be difficult to get used to
- Getting in early to secure a spot in popular accommodation can be stressful, which is why private student accommodation can sometimes be a more reliable option
Purpose-built private student accommodation
Private student accommodation options such as Unite Students are a more premium option for those who prioritise modern facilities. These can be in the form of smaller flats, studio rooms or one-bedroom apartments.
Pros:
- Modern amenities, including study spaces, gyms and en-suite bathrooms
- Increased security from reception, who monitor visitors and collect parcels
- Promotes a more independent lifestyle, as there is limited sharing of facilities
Cons:
- Although all bills are usually included, private halls tend to be significantly more expensive than university halls
- While university halls tend to be close to campus, private accommodation can be further away, meaning that commute time and costs need to be factored in
- Making friends in first year may take more effort, as living alone or in a smaller flat reduces opportunities for socialising
Renting flats and house shares
Renting a flat with friends is an option that many students choose after their first year, as it can drastically reduce living costs and is a way of leaning into a more independent lifestyle.
Pros:
- Splitting rent, utilities and internet can be far cheaper than living alone
- Modern freedom of living in a rented property can get you more used to post-university life
Cons:
- The responsibility that comes with renting property can be tricky to get used to, for example, making sure bills are paid on time and maintaining the condition of the property
- Lots of tenancy agreements are on a 12-month basis, meaning you will be required to pay rent, even during months that you are not staying there (such as the summer holidays)
- The flat searching process can be stressful, especially in competitive areas, and looking for a property with four or more bedrooms can be difficult
Where to find student accommodation in Glasgow?
It can be tricky to know where to find trustworthy sources for student accommodation in Glasgow, particularly if you don’t know the city well and what to expect when you arrive.
University Halls of Residence
University accommodation offices and websites are a great place to start as they outline profiles of each accommodation option, including distance from the university, the size of the flat/room and facilities available.
While Glasgow University has more than ten options for students varying in price, Strathclyde University and Glasgow Caledonian University both have one main hall of residence. Depending on the university, in-person, virtual and photo tours are available to students to give you a feel for the accommodation you apply to.
Purpose-built private student accommodation
For students looking at private accommodation options, there are lots of websites showing purpose-built halls at various locations and prices.
As well as this, companies that operate multiple buildings across UK universities, such as Unite Students and Amber Student, have websites where filtering based on budget, move-in month and amenities is possible.
Renting flats and house shares
Letting agencies across Glasgow advertise flats with HMOs throughout the year; however, as students begin to leave at the end of the academic year, around April to June, there is a huge influx of available properties, making it a good time to secure a flat.
Finding a flat when you don’t live in Glasgow over the summer can be tricky, so getting viewings in as early as possible increases your chances massively. Websites like SpareRoom are popular for individual students looking to flat share with others rather than taking out a tenancy agreement on a flat.
How much is student accommodation in Glasgow?
The cost of student accommodation in Glasgow varies based on location and proximity to transport links, amenities and popularity. We’ve outlined some costs below that you can use as a guideline to gain a sense of your potential expenditure.
Typical costs of university halls:
- Glasgow University: £130-200 p/w
- Strathclyde University: £120-190 p/w
- Glasgow Caledonian: £120-180 p/w
Typical costs of private student accommodation:
Typical costs of shared flats:
- One room in a shared flat: £500-800 p/m
- Bills on top of this cost would typically be £40-80 for electricity and £10-20 for internet
- Council tax exemption is available for students, but needs to be applied for
The best areas for student accommodation in Glasgow?
Student accommodation options are located around the city; however, things that usually matter most to students when choosing an area to live in are rent prices, distance to university, transport links (subway, buses, walking), safety, nightlife, café culture and student population.
West End (Hillhead):
- Most popular for Glasgow University students, as the commute is only a 10-minute walk
- Average rent prices tend to be higher in this part of the city due to many student hotspots around Byres Road and the Botanic Gardens and its great restaurant scene and nightlife
- Rent prices, coupled with the cost of living in this area, can sometimes become unaffordable and competitive
City Centre and Merchant City:
- Best for Strathclyde and Caledonian University students, as both are in a more central location in the city
- Average rent prices remain high despite the challenges of urban living, including noise pollution from traffic and nightlife, as well as limited green space
- Well-connected to the rest of Scotland due to close proximity to Central Station, Queen St. Station and Buchanan bus station
Southside:
- Best for budget-conscious students as rents tend to be cheaper
- However, commuting to university can take 30 minutes, so both the time and cost of this should be factored in
- Rapidly growing in popularity with young people due to the student community feel, and up-and-coming independent shops and cafés popping up.
Finnieston:
- Another more budget-friendly option for students who want to experience the best of the West End, but pay lower rents
- Extensive and fast subway and bus transport links to Glasgow University
- Growing arts community and an up-and-coming area for young professionals
Conclusion
Multiple factors – including price, location and lifestyle – matter when choosing university accommodation, and hopefully this blog has helped you to navigate how to go about selecting the best option for you, whether that’s as a first-year, fourth-year, or somewhere in between.
Planning ahead can help ease worries, and GTW Storage’s Student Storage is a great solution for students who may have a month or two across the summer between accommodation. By having a safe and secure storage provider in place, you can rest assured that your belongings will be ready for you on your return ahead of the upcoming academic year without the hassle of shipping it back and forth.
To learn more about the various storage solutions GTW Storage offers, including student storage, click here or get in touch with our team.