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The Rising Cost of Student Accommodation

Housing costs have risen across Europe, and student housing costs are no exception to this trend. Landlords know that finding accommodation is a difficult task for students and often take advantage of the student housing scarcity in university towns to make a profit from their real estate investment.

In the UK alone, a recent survey showed an increase of 4.3% in average rental costs across the country during the past year. According to the National Union of Students, rents have risen an astounding 22% over the past three years. It is not surprising that London heads the list of most-costly cities for students to rent in, with an average monthly rent of £600 for a one-bedroom student-type flat. Northern Ireland boasts the cheapest place to rent, with an average monthly cost of £272.

Many students end up choosing to study at a university close to home so they may remain at their parents’ and commute to their institution, rather than taking on the cost of a flat in addition to school fees. Others find part-time work in order to make the rent payments. Graduating without a massive debt is a goal for all students, and finding reasonably priced accommodations is essential to keeping living costs down. A 2010 survey reports the average amount of debt a student will accumulate during their university years is £23,000. No wonder students are constantly on the lookout for the best deal they can find when it comes to housing!

Want to see how different European cities compare in terms of student housing costs? Here is a table that shows what you would pay on average for a typical one-bedroom student flat in one of these cities:

City	Average Monthly Base Rent in Euros
Amsterdam	900
Barcelona	750
Bologna	500
Brussels	500
Edinburgh	500
Florence	700
Grenoble	450
Helsinki	500
Madrid	750
Oslo	425
Paris	800
Prague	400
Rome	850
Seville	350
Stockholm	475

So how can a study abroad student cut the cost of living?

Find a Flatmate

Sharing a flat will cut your overheads in half (utilities, internet and phone), and will help you with the grocery bill. There are loads of websites where you can find student flatshare adverts and most universities have websites/student affairs offices where you can post an ad seeking a share rental.

If you are studying abroad in a country whose language is not your mother tongue, sharing a flat with a native speaker is a great way to cut costs and improve your language skills.

Seek housing outside the city center

Prices will always be lower the further away you situate yourself from an urban center. Be sure, however, to research into transportation, you don't want to get stuck in the city or at university with no way home.

Go smaller

Between discovering your new city, studying, meeting new friends, you might not be spending lots of time in your flat. Consider renting a room in a residence hall, or a small studio apartment where you’ll have the essentials for living without the high cost of a larger flat.