One of the biggest decisions you will make as a student is whether to live alone or share with others. Both have genuine advantages — and both have trade-offs. This guide walks through the key considerations so you can make the right choice for your personality, budget, and academic needs.
The case for living with roommates
For most students, sharing is the default — and for good reason.
- Cost: Sharing a 3 or 4-bedroom house is significantly cheaper per person than renting a studio or one-bed flat. In most UK cities, a room in a shared house costs 40–60% less than a solo flat.
- Social connection: Living with others reduces isolation, particularly important in first and second year when you are still building friendships.
- Shared responsibilities: Bills, cleaning rotas, and admin are split. If something breaks, there are multiple people to deal with it.
- Safety: Shared housing means there is almost always someone around — helpful if you are unwell or need support.
The case for living alone
Solo living is more expensive but suits certain students — particularly those in their final year, postgraduate students, or anyone with specific academic or health needs.
- Control of your environment: Your schedule, noise levels, cleanliness standards, and guest policies are entirely yours.
- Academic focus: No disruption to study, especially valuable during dissertation or exam periods.
- Wellbeing: Introverts and students with anxiety or sensory needs often thrive when they control their living environment entirely.
- Privacy: Personal space, relationships, and routines are fully private.
Questions to ask yourself before deciding
- Do you recharge from social interaction or from solitude?
- How important is uninterrupted study time to your academic performance?
- Do you have a budget that can sustain solo living without financial stress?
- Are you prone to loneliness, or do you have a strong social network outside your home?
- Do you have any medical, mental health, or accessibility needs that would be better served by solo living?
Browse student accommodation options
StudentBuddy lists both shared houses and private studios across the UK — compare options by budget and location.
Browse student accommodation →A middle ground: ensuite rooms in shared houses
Many purpose-built student accommodations offer ensuite rooms where you have a private bedroom and bathroom but share a kitchen and common areas. This is often the best of both worlds — privacy when you need it, community when you want it — at a price between shared rooms and solo studios. Search ensuite student accommodation on StudentBuddy.
