Accommodation

Your accommodation in Manchester

If you are only going abroad for one semester, you will need to consider what will happen to your room in Manchester for that semester and the University of Manchester is no longer able to offer single-semester housing to students going on exchange for one semester!

Manchester Student Homes (MSH) is the free university housing service providing advice and support for students looking for and living in private accommodation. MSH can help you find safe, high-quality accommodation and can help you navigate issues when things go wrong. MSH work with landlords through an accreditation scheme and can help check contracts before you sign.

Manchester Student Homes

Top tips for attracting tenants when advertising your room:

• State that you are looking for a replacement tenant and for how long
• Include a description of the room/ property, e.g. room in a shared house, city, neighbourhood
• Location – Give a full description e.g. quiet street, plenty of parking, centre of town, local shops nearby, excellent public transport links
• Rent – list the weekly/monthly rental price, what bills are included and what is not
• Who the room is most suited for, e.g. male/ female, smoker/non-smoker
• Furnished or unfurnished‚ clearly list what is included (properties on the MSH website are all fully furnished)
• Include photos if you can. Searchers like to see photos

You can also advertise your room through: www.spareroom.co.uk; www.gumtree.com; www.craiglist.com. Be cautious when using unmoderated housing boards. The above are methods that students have used in the past, but this is not official guidance from the University.

 

Accommodation whilst abroad

Finding accommodation abroad is an exciting but daunting task and won’t necessarily be easy. In fact, it will probably be time-consuming and challenging – many students describe it as the most difficult aspect of their period abroad. 

Many partner universities are currently facing a housing shortage due to an increase in numbers of exchange and home students. As such, unless specifically stated, exchange students are generally not guaranteed university accommodation at their host institution. Please ensure you start searching for accommodation as early as possible.

Once your placement is confirmed, you will also receive access to further support and guidance, including:

• Accommodation fair/focus week and drop-in events
• Specific guidance directly from the host university if on a study placement
• General accommodation guidance in a country-specific initial briefing
• Forum for engaging with UoM students currently abroad or recently returned
• Global Guidance Ambassador consultations in the Atrium
• Country-specific meetings and contact with country advisors from the Go Abroad team

 

Accommodation Guidance

If you are considering a study placement at one of our partner universities on the International Exchange Programme or as part of your Languages degree, you will find a section on Accommodation in each of the partner institution programme brochures on My Placement: Programmes > Search (advanced) > My Placement (manchester.ac.uk)

Many partner universities offer campus accommodation, some guaranteed, others on a first-come-first-served basis. Applying for campus accommodation is the easiest option and will vary from residence halls to shared flats. It is also the safest option as you will be protected from accommodation scams and rogue landlords, so we recommend university housing where possible. Costs usually include utilities (gas, electricity, water, internet), but halls are still likely to be the more expensive option.

N.B. Most universities will provide a list of approved providers for private rentals: using these is highly advisable to avoid scams.

University Halls - PROs:

• Good for making friends: immediate access to lots of students (depending on the university, your room may be double occupancy).
• Safe, secure and supportive: you will have a genuine contract; you may benefit from campus security; there may be access to pastoral care, such as counselling and disability services.
• Accommodation usually comes furnished so you don’t have to buy furniture and can save your money for fun trips.
• Student halls are usually in close proximity to campus, so you can save money walking to lectures, rather than getting a bus.

University Halls - CONs:

• Can be expensive: it’s worth comparing with other options and checking your budget first, as with many halls there are additional costs, such as meal plans, included in the price.
• No guarantee of choices: you might not get a place in your preferred accommodation.
• Not ‘your own space‘: you’re sharing with many others, which means there will probably be extra noise and mess!
• University halls can sometimes be quite restrictive in terms of curfews and guests.
• Roommates: you will not get to choose your roommate, so if your university offers double occupancy, you need to be comfortable with this.

Guaranteed University Accommodation

The following partner universities, at the time of going to press, guarantee on-campus accommodation for exchange students (but please check information from your host university as this can change from year to year). If you have been nominated to one of these universities, you will generally apply for housing as part of your application.

• Stony Brook University
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Wellesley College
• University of Sydney
• Australian National University
• University of Auckland
• Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• Nanyang Technological University
• University of Bergen

Our other partners will offer campus accommodation, and these can also be applied for at the time of application, but it will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis. If our partners do not offer campus accommodation, then you will need to seek your own private housing.

Renting Privately

Finding student accommodation in your own city can be tough, not to mention in a completely unfamiliar city that you are yet to actually step foot in. With various rules and regulations to get your head around, it seems undoubtedly daunting, so we have come up with a few important things to consider when searching for private accommodation.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

It is important to do as much research as possible! It is also worth contacting the accommodation office at your host university as they may be able to provide information on safe, student-friendly, and affordable neighbourhoods, approved landlords and how much you can expect to pay for rent in the area. Beware of landlords who are not approved by your host university and avoid rentals that you cannot verify, e.g. advertised on social media!

WORK OUT YOUR BUDGET

You need to be realistic on how much you can afford to spend on rent each month to allow you to work out how much you will have left for utility bills, public transport, food and luxuries. 

BE PATIENT

Finding the perfect accommodation abroad within the first few days of searching is unlikely! Advertisers offering rooms can get inundated with messages, so they may not respond right away, so be prepared for your search to take a few weeks.

BE CAUTIOUS

Social media is a great way to get a feel for where you will be living, but if someone offers you a room, be cautious: unfortunately, there are many bogus landlords and scammers. Keep in mind that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is! Stick to searching on reliable accommodation websites and landlords approved by your partner university (ask them for a list of approved providers). Please note that unregulated accommodation, such as Airbnb, is not covered by travel insurance!

BE RESOURCEFUL

Where possible, we recommend viewing a property in person before accepting. However, you may need to secure accommodation in advance, for visa purposes, for example. Ask the landlord to send you some photos or to organise a virtual tour. Ask lots of questions, such as:

• Method required to pay rent?
• Does the rent include bills? Any deposits or non-refundable fees? (Request a refundable deposit where possible)
• Have they rented before (to international students)?
• What is their sub-letting policy?
• Do they allow early contract terminations? If so, what are the fees?
• Will you be able to renew the contract if you want to?
• Are guests allowed to stay?
• Are there any additional rules to be aware of?

Also look at our Housing checklist to help you think about the area, location and practicalities.

You may decide to conduct your search once in your host country, which is preferable (but not always possible) as you can take advantage of local noticeboards or ask local students for recommendations. Make sure you factor this into your plans, travel earlier and book a hostel or hotel but check that you are covered by UoM and your own insurance.

Remember to check whether proof of accommodation is a requirement of your visa, including for EU countries! Remember: if you end up in horrible accommodation on the other side of the world, you won’t be able to just go home. Ultimately, it will seriously affect your time abroad, so do all that you can to ensure you know exactly what you’re going into!

USEFUL INDEPENDENT RESOURCES

https://housinganywhere.com/

https://uniplaces.com/

https://www.universityrooms.com

ULodging

General Guidance

1. Research Accommodation Options

Explore the types of accommodation available in your destination. Common options include:

• University-Managed Accommodation: Often subsidised, located close to campus, and a good way to meet other students.
• Private Rentals: Offers more independence but requires thorough vetting.
• Hostels or Guesthouses: Temporary option while you search for long-term housing.
• Homestays: Ideal for cultural immersion, especially in non-English-speaking countries.
• Purpose-Built Student Housing: Private companies that offer modern, furnished accommodations tailored to students.

To do

• Check host university accommodation offices or international student services for guidance.
• Seek advice from students recently returned from your host country/university, read their feedback on My Placement, or talk to inbound students from your host country.
• Join social media groups or forums specific to your university abroad to learn about trusted providers.

2. Leverage University Support

Your host university will have dedicated support for incoming international students, such as housing services, buddy programs, and accommodation/relocation guides.

To do

• Contact your host university for a housing handbook or get in touch with current UoM students at your host university for tips.
• Attend the pre-departure sessions organised by the Go Abroad team to learn about accommodation and get advice from our Global Guidance Ambassadors (GGAs).

3. Budgeting

Determine how much you can afford. Consider:

• Rent (including utilities if applicable)
• Deposits (typically 1-3 months’ rent)
• Travel costs: Living further from campus might save money but can increase travel costs and time. Assess public transport availability, costs, and student discounts.
• Extras (Wi-Fi, insurance, cleaning, etc.)

To do

• Use online cost calculators like Numbeo to estimate living expenses in your host country.
• Confirm if your UK student loan or grants can be used abroad and what they cover.

4. Start Early

Accommodation in major cities and popular countries can get booked quickly, especially for students. Begin your search 3-6 months before your move and do not wait until you have been allocated your destination to explore the market and consider options.

To do

• Sign up for alerts from housing platforms like Spotahome, Uniplaces, Student.com, Erasmus Play or HousingAnywhere for secure bookings.
• Look for any specific apps available for your host country/city.
• Ask current or recently returned students at your host university for advice on reliable landlords and areas to avoid.

5. Understand the Legalities

Familiarise yourself with tenancy laws and common practices in your host country.

• Check lease terms: duration, renewal conditions, break clauses.
• Know your rights regarding deposits, repairs, and eviction notices.
• Research if a guarantor is needed (often required for private rentals).

To do

• Seek help from your host university or British Council offices if unsure.
• Avoid signing contracts in a language you do not fully understand; request translations if needed.
• Check if the property and your belongings are insured (see point 10 below).

6. Check Accommodation Safety

Ensure the property and area are safe, especially if you’re unfamiliar with local customs and practices.

• Research neighbourhoods for safety and proximity to essential facilities.
• Verify the property: secure locks, fire safety equipment, functioning utilities.

To do

• You can use Google Maps to explore neighbourhoods virtually.
• Check reviews or request a virtual tour of the property.

7. Consider temporary Accommodation

If you can’t find something suitable before arriving, book temporary accommodation for a few weeks and search once you’re there. You will get a better feel of a city once you have arrived.

To do

• Use Airbnb, hostels, or short-term student accommodations for your initial stay. See the websites listed above for short-term options.
• Network locally through university noticeboards, student groups, or rental agencies.

8. Look out for scams and pitfalls

Be vigilant to avoid fraud.

• Red flags include being asked to pay deposits without seeing the property or landlords refusing contracts.
• Ensure landlords or agencies are legitimate – A quick Google search can provide some reviews, or you can contact your host university to ask if they have had issues with a provider.

To do

• Avoid transferring money via unsecured methods or in cash, and always make sure there is a paper trail and receipts of transactions.
• Use reputable websites – see above.

9. Adapt to Cultural Differences

Every country has unique norms regarding housing. For example:

• In Germany, many rentals come unfurnished.
• In France, paperwork like proof of income is often required.
• In Japan, rent may include a “key money” fee (a gift to the landlord).

If you’re sharing accommodation, be prepared for cultural differences in cleaning habits, noise tolerance, and meal times and preferences.

To do

• Research housing customs in your destination to avoid surprises.
• Prepare necessary documents (e.g., proof of enrollment, ID, bank statements).
• Discuss ground rules with housemates early on.
• Learn some basic phrases in the local language if needed for communication.

10. Insurance

Secure adequate insurance to cover your belongings and potential liability. Please note that claims as a result of any incident in relation to private homes, shared accommodation, Airbnb, or similar type of unregulated accommodation are excluded from the University’s travel insurance policy.

To do

• Check if your accommodation is covered by the University’s travel insurance policy.
• If this is not the case, check if your contract includes insurance for (accidental) damage to the property and your belongings.
• If needed, inquire about taking out additional insurance.