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Posted Dec. 20, 2021
Where should you live as an LLM student?
As you pursue your Master of Laws you have to be comfortable and safe as you go on with your studies.
One of the best ways to achieve this is by looking for the best accommodation for you in the UK or wherever else you are studying. You should look for a home that enhances your study time and the same time, you will be happy in socially. Whether you’re a UK student or a student from overseas coming to the UK to study, you should find yourself somewhere great to live. It could be university-owned halls of residence, private student house rental, privately owned purpose-built accommodation or renting a room in a house.
Different types of accommodation for LLM students
1. University-owned postgraduate accommodation
Some UK law schools go an extra mile to assist their postgraduate students with accommodation arrangements. The universities all have an accommodation office that can help you as you look for a place to settle. Halls of residence owned by the university are often the easiest places to settle into your new life at law school. What makes this sort of arrangement good is the fact that the halls are usually based near the law school and it’s an easy way to meet fellow students. Although you will have your own room, there will be communal facilities such as the common room, TV room and a laundry facility.
2. Privately owned rentals
If you feel that university owned halls of residence offer a way of living that is a bit too much like your undergraduate student life, but you still want some of the social element, you should consider privately owned student accommodation, such as that offered by Fresh. This privately owned accommodation provides the residence with excellent facilities meaning you can live very comfortably, and they are also very safe and secure. If you’re planning to study in the UK, then private housing could offer you more privacy and comfort while still giving you the social aspect and a lot of convenience. Check out their website to see the different types of accommodation available, including en suite rooms and studio apartments – you can even book your room online.
Amber, another excellent student housing provider, is a one-stop destination. They provide affordable and hygienic accommodations across the UK, from student accommodation in Glasgow to student accommodation in Manchester, along with other student-centric services.
3. Private housing and room rental
If you think you would prefer living in a house, for example sharing with a family or other students, then your law school’s accommodation office should be able to help you find the perfect people to stay with. Most law schools have a list of different housing options that students can rent from landlords. The good news is that the school inspects the property to ensure that they provide quality accommodation to students. The accommodation office should also be able to provide you with a list of available rooms within a house that are ready for renting. Be sure to check the tenancy agreement before you sign the rental contact though.
What type to choose?
This table illustrates the different types of accommodation that students are choosing to live in
|
Type of Accommodation |
Percentage of Students |
|
University accommodation |
19% |
|
Private sector halls of residence |
9% |
|
Parents’ home |
20% |
|
Own home |
17% |
|
Other rented accommodation |
29% |
|
Other |
4% |
|
Not known |
2% |
How to choose an ideal LLM student home
For all full-time LLM students, accommodation is an important part of starting off the journey, and ideally you will find a comfortable, convenient home with great neighbours. Here are some of the things you should look out for when finding your LLM accommodation:
1. Type of accommodation
As we have seen, there are several different types of accommodation options available to LLM students and it’s up to you to choose the type of room or home that suits all your needs. Whether it’s the university accommodation, privately owned halls, or some other kind of rented accommodation.
2. The nature of your housemates
It’s important to get along with your housemates so you should whoever you’ll be living with careful consideration. Remember this person will be part of your life for at least one year, if not more. You should go for someone that fits your personality and someone that is (hopefully) easy to live with – this way you can avoid some disagreements and live amicably.
3. Location
If you’re new to the town or city that you’re moving in for your studies, it’s a good idea to get in touch with former students or the students association to find out what the best location is for you to live. Ideally, it should be close to law school, near good transport links, and most importantly, comfortable and safe. Fresh accommodation is always well connected to its local universities and law schools, with great transport links to the campuses. Choose a place that is convenient in the sense that you can easily access the gym, law school library and the shopping centre.
4. Study area
Obviously, you will need to spend much of your time studying, so you’ll need a dedicated study space with a desk and good lighting. As well as this, you will need access to reliable internet and space to store your books. The rooms available at Fresh offer a great study space and high-speed WiFi, so are ideal in this instance.
What makes students happy with their accommodation?
This table illustrates some of the considerations that students feel are important when chossing their accommodation.
|
Accommodation Considerations |
Percentage of Students |
|
Location |
79% |
|
Living with friends or other students |
76% |
|
Number of bedrooms |
73% |
|
Quality |
67% |
|
Facilities |
62% |
|
Atmosphere |
52% |
|
Social scene |
43% |
|
Cost |
39% |
|
Catering |
31% |
|
Ability to live with family |
30% |
How can you settle into your LLM accommodation?
As an LLM student, having comfortable and safe accommodation is paramount to your success, and the accommodation type you choose will largely influence your study as well as your social and even professional networks. Since law students require a lot of serious study time, it is advisable to choose accommodation that promotes your study ability by providing a quiet environment with all the required resources. Accommodation options include university halls of residence, purpose-built privately owned accommodation providers Fresh, private flats from landlords and staying in your family home. Whatever option you choose, we have some great tips on the things you can do to ensure that you settle quickly and make your new home a happy one.
1. Create a dedicated study space
Most accommodation that is purposely built for students have shared studying spaces, but these spaces can sometimes not be the best for people who love total silence when studying. If you are the type of student who finds it necessary to have complete silence when studying, having a personal studying space can be the best option for you. Unlike studying at the kitchen table, having a dedicated study space sharpens the mind and improves concentration. Students who have such a space inside their rooms are less likely to be disturbed by other students or other distractions. Privately owned accommodation providers Fresh always have a dedicated study space in their rooms or flats for the students to use. If you opt for Fresh accommodation, you can also choose from various options, including shared apartments and en suite studios from a variety of locations all over the UK.
2. Make friends with your flatmates
When you are new in your accommodation you will meet plenty of new people. Whilst not everyone will be immediately friendly, many will be helpful and keen to get to know you. Starting conversations with random students you meet in your block will make it easier to make new friends who will help you settle in and even explore the local area. If you don’t bond with your flatmates, you should not panic as you can also make friends at your law school and beyond. However, it is advisable to try your best to get to know your flatmates and iron out any differences that you may have as they are people you are likely to be interacting with quite frequently. Purpose built student accommodation providers Fresh organise social events for their residence, which is a great way for the residents to get to know each other and to immediately feel at home.
3. Keep accommodation uncluttered
Do you know that a cluttered home affects your ability to relax? No matter how busy you may be, keeping your new home tidy should be a priority. A tidy room is not only aesthetically pleasing, but it will also help you keep relaxed and also avoid allergens and pests that can cause diseases. If you share communal space with others, you can create a cleaning rota that will ensure that everyone participates in keeping the flat in an attractive space.
4. Join clubs & law societies
Universities and law schools have numerous clubs and societies that you can join to meet other people with similar interests. As an LLM student, a Law School Students’ Association will help you meet other students who are learning your course and can later help you in your studies. The friendships you make through such societies can also be emotional beneficial and also potentially helpful in your future legal career.
5. Explore the local area
Whether staying on campus or offsite, it is advisable to spend a little time exploring the neighbourhood to identify areas where you can shop and grab a coffee, as well as public transport routes and entertainment spots. If you have already made a friend at your accommodation, you can head off together to explore your neighbourhood. Fresh accommodation is always we located within the city with great transport links to the local university.
6. Buy finishing items and furniture
While most student accommodation will offer basics like a bed and a desk, in many cases these things may not match your taste and preferences. It’s a good idea to visit local charity shops and bargain stores to find some finishing touches to make this furniture more to your taste. If you are planning on replacing or permanently updating any of the fixtures or fittings, it is advisable to check if the accommodation accepts additional changes and furniture to avoid unnecessary disputes. In many cases accommodation that is purposely built for students, such as Fresh, provide contemporary and attractive basics that you may need as a student, and their rent also includes internet access.
7. Network in advance
Communicating with people who previously studied at your university or those on campus is a brilliant way to gather information about various aspects that could make it easier to settle in. You can use social media searches to find such people or physically visit the campus some days before your joining date. In many instances the accommodation office will put together a Facebook group or similar to connect people who are moving into the same shared accommodation before the moving in date.
8. Bring things from home
For many students, especially international students, the university is located miles away from home, meaning you will spend a few months without seeing your loved ones. In addition to this, many things – such as favourite foods will not be available. All these can lead to homesickness, but you can avoid it by taking some of the things you love with you, such as photos, bedspread and even a jar or two of your favourite toast topping!
Fresh is one of many potential private accommodation options for international postgraduate students. Other private student accommodation options are available and LLMstudy.com advises you to research all your options thoroughly before making such a commitment. Postgrad Solutions accepts no responsibility for your choice of student accommodation and does not endorse or support Fresh. Fresh Student Living Ltd is registered in England and Wales under company number 07268209. The VAT number is 142920528.
amber is one of many potential private accommodation options for international postgraduate students. Other private student accommodation options are available and Postgrad.com advises you to research all your options thoroughly before making such a commitment. Postgrad Solutions accepts no responsibility for your choice of student accommodation and does not endorse or support amber.
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