Student accommodation refers to residential colleges/universities, residence halls and other residences that are operated with the primary purpose of providing accommodation to students currently enrolled in tertiary education.
Student accommodation can either be private (separate from a university or college) or part of an institution.
Both of these options differ from each other slightly, but the main objective is to provide room for students while they complete their tertiary education.
University accommodation typically includes a fully furnished bedroom, a shared kitchen and bathroom facilities.
You might have to pay for certain things in a private student accommodation that you wouldn't necessarily pay for in an institution's student accommodation, and vice versa.
Here is a breakdown of what bills you can expect to pay, for both private and 'public' student accommodation:
Meals
Since students leave home to further their education at a tertiary institution, preparing your meals on your own is what typically happens.
Private student accommodation may be catered, meaning you won't have to prepare your meals yourself. Instead, there might be a cafeteria or dining hall where you'll have your meals served.
However, not all private student accommodation is catered; some may have a kitchen facility in the building, which would include things like an oven and/or a stove, a fridge, a washing up sink for your dishes, etc.
A university's student accommodation can also either be catered (with a cafeteria, for example) or it might have a kitchen facility as well.
You would have to pay for your own groceries if you're cooking your meals.
Electricity
Typically, you won't have to pay for the electricity you'll use when staying in student accommodation, for both private or 'public'.
However, keep in mind that this can change, depending on the accommodation's requirements or rules.
Water
The same thing as electricity applies here.
It would be different if you were renting an apartment, for example, where you might be expected to pay a utility bill. It's not usually the case when it comes to student accommodation.
WIFI
Student accommodation provided by a university would typically provide you with WIFI that you wouldn't have to pay for since it's included in your fees.
At a private accommodation, you might also be provided with free WIFI (included in the fees you're paying), but this is not always the case. If you want WIFI but the private student accommodation you're residing in doesn't provide it, then you'll have to buy a router, for example, and pay for it yourself.
Laundry
There will likely be a laundry room at both a private student accommodation and a university's student accommodation, complete with washing machines, washing lines and sometimes a dryer.
At certain private accommodations, you would pay a fee to use the machines but you might have to buy your own washing powder.
At a university's student accommodation, you would probably have to buy the washing power but you won't necessarily have to pay to use the machine.
Keep in mind that these above-mentioned bills are not set in stone; it all depends on the type of student accommodation. Not all are the same.
Make sure to do enough research.
