Your two main options
On-campus residences are run by the university. They are convenient and close to lectures, but space is limited and there are deadlines and requirements.
Off-campus boarding houses and rooms are rented from private landlords. There is more choice, but quality, price and safety vary a lot.
What to compare
- Distance to campus and how you will travel there, including at night
- Price per month or semester, and what it includes
- Facilities such as water, electricity, Wi-Fi and security
- Beds in the room and who you will share with
- Rules on visitors, curfews and cooking
Questions to ask before you pay
- Is the person the landlord or an authorised agent?
- What is the deposit and is it refundable?
- Are water and power costs included?
- Can I see the room, and speak to a current tenant?
- Will you give me a receipt or written agreement?
Never pay in full before seeing the place, and avoid sending money to someone you cannot verify.
How Freshman Hub helps
For universities it covers, the Accommodation section shows official on-campus residence details (fee per semester, beds available, application steps, requirements, deadline and what to bring) and an off-campus marketplace with area, distance from campus, price per month, facilities and contact details. Off-campus listings carry an Ad badge, so you can always tell them from official information.
Know a free room? Verified students can tell the admin through the app, and approved places are published after review. See how accommodation works.
Timing
Apply for on-campus space as soon as your admission is confirmed. For off-campus places, start looking early, but avoid paying until you are sure of your place at the university.
Information here is general guidance and can change. Always confirm requirements, fees and dates with your university's official notices.