Student housing works very differently from one country to the next, and the published terms are the best guide to what you will actually sign. Examples from official pages checked in October 2026: a London UCL contract can run for 39 to 51 weeks, a UNSW Village booking requires a bond of four weeks’ rent, and The Myriad in Dubai asks for a refundable AED 3,500 deposit. This guide explains the main housing types, what to compare, and where to find our country and city guides.
The examples below come from university and operator pages and gov.uk, listed under Sources. They are examples, not averages, and they are from different years, so confirm current terms with the provider.
The main types of student housing
- University halls or residences: run by the university, often with a guarantee for some groups of students and an application deadline.
- Operator-run student buildings: managed by a private company, sometimes in partnership with a university.
- Private rentals: a room or flat from a landlord or agent, governed by local tenancy rules.
What official pages show: examples from four places
| Place | Example published detail |
|---|---|
| London, UK | UCL 2026-27: weekly rents £153.86 to £529.06; contracts of 39, 40 or 51 weeks. |
| England, UK | gov.uk: a landlord must protect a deposit in an approved scheme within 30 days. |
| Sydney, Australia | UNSW Village: bond of four weeks’ rent; University of Sydney 2026 rents A$306 to A$603 a week. |
| Edinburgh, UK | University of Edinburgh: guarantee applications due by 31 July for September entry. |
| Dubai, UAE | The Myriad (University of Birmingham Dubai 2026/27): refundable deposit of AED 3,500 for stays of a month or more. |
What to compare before you book
- Total cost: the weekly or monthly rent times the contract length, plus fees.
- What is included: utilities, internet, meals and laundry differ by provider.
- Deposit or bond: how much, who holds it and when it is returned.
- Cancellation terms: UNSW Village, for example, lists a fee of two weeks’ rent plus rent liability of up to six weeks.
- Deadlines and guarantees: who is covered, and by what date you must apply.
I have not quoted worldwide “typical costs”, because published prices vary by university, year and room type. Instead, use our guides: London, Sydney, Dubai costs and the guide for international students. Before you commit, read our guide to university halls versus private housing, the checklist of what to look for before you sign and our safety guide.
FAQs about student accommodation abroad
Should I book before I arrive?
University housing often has application deadlines months ahead, so check them early. For private rentals, view the room on a live video call, get a written contract and never pay before you have one.
Is a deposit always refundable?
Providers describe deposits as refundable, often subject to conditions. Read the agreement for the conditions and the return date.
Sources
- UCL: accommodation fees 2026-27
- GOV.UK: deposit protection schemes
- Campus Living Villages: UNSW Village
- University of Sydney: 2026 term lengths and rental rates
- University of Edinburgh Accommodation: our guarantees
- University of Birmingham Dubai: The Myriad
All checked October 2026.
