Student accommodation rental costs in UK can vary by over £400 per week

The average rent for student accommodation in the UK can vary by as much as £429 per week with the cheapest in Stockton and the most expensive in London, new research shows.

Private halls of residence are on average some 90% more expensive than shared houses or flat and overall average prices have increased across 28 university cities, according to the research from Accommodation for Students.

Overall students in the north of England and in Wales pay less. The average cost of student accommodation in Stockton is just £60 per week, yet a studio in private halls in London Zone 1 averages £489 per week.

In private student halls the average weekly rent for a room is £168.67 but those choosing to rent from a private landlords pay on average £88.61 per week. Yet the number of private halls have soared, with 287 opening in 2017.

At the same time the volume of students living in purpose built private halls is thought to have more than doubled over the last decade. They are attracted by the more modern living environment and, in many cases, additional facilities available such as gyms, storage space, communal games rooms and parking.

International students are especially attracted to private halls because of the ease of booking online, plus there tends to be greater confidence in booking this type of accommodation without viewing it, according to Simon Thompson, director of Accommodation for Students.