Picking between a studio vs shared accommodation for students means choosing two of the options that sit on either side of the rope. Completely different styles of living suited for completely different types of personalities. While each of them may have their own advantages, the disadvantages also follow. This blog explains the best student accommodation for students and explores the pros and cons of each style of living.
Studio vs Shared Accommodation For Students: Key Differences
| Feature | Studio | Shared Accommodation |
| Privacy | You have complete privacy. With your own bedroom, bathroom, and kitchenette, with no need to share personal spaces. | Private bedroom (usually), but you’ll share the kitchen, living area, and often the bathroom with flatmates. |
| Cost | Higher weekly rent, as you’re paying for exclusive use of all facilities. Bills are often included in student developments. | This is far more budget-friendly. Rent and utility bills are typically split between housemates, making it the most affordable option. |
| Social Life | Can feel isolating. You’ll need to make a conscious effort to socialise outside your room. | Built-in social circle. Living with others makes it easier to form friendships and settle into university life. |
| Space | Compact, self-contained living; everything you need is in one room, which can feel cosy but limited. | More overall square footage, though you share communal areas like the kitchen and lounge with others. |
| Noise | Quiet and controlled. Ideal for focused study or early nights without disturbance from housemates. | Potential for noise and distractions depending on your flatmates’ schedules and social habits. |
| Cleaning | You are solely responsible for keeping your entire space tidy. No waiting on others to do their bit. | Cleaning duties are shared, which can lead to conflicts if standards or effort levels differ. |
| Independence | Maximum independence. You set the rules for your routine, cooking, and guests without compromise. | Requires compromise on shared resources and household rules, though you still have autonomy in your bedroom. |
| Best For | Students who prioritise quiet, privacy, and a personal sanctuary over social interaction. | Budget-conscious students who value community, shared experiences, and a lively household. |
Just like your personality, every student accommodation has its own character too. Choose from stylish studios or shared apartments with UniAcco and find a space that feels right for you. Book student accommodation in the UK with a fully furnished room and all utility bills included.
🏡 Explore UK Student AccommodationWhat is Studio vs Shared Accommodation:
Before getting into the pros and cons of each accommodation, let’s get the basics clear.
Studios: Studio apartments are self-contained, open-plan living units for a single student. Kitchen, living room, bedroom and study area—all are combined into one private space. These studios offer the maximum privacy and are usually on the costlier side. In simple words, students get the whole place to themselves.
Shared Accommodation: Unlike studios, in shared accommodation students share space with other students. They get a private bedroom with a shared kitchen and living area. They get a private bedroom with a shared kitchen and living area. Shared accommodation is generally cheaper than a studio and a popular choice for first-year students.
Let’s read this Reddit Thread and find out what first-year students are choosing.
As a first-year, would you/did you decide on an… – r/UniUK
Studio Accommodation: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Privacy
The main difference between a studio vs shared accommodation for students is that a studio apartment gives you all the privacy in the world as you’re living alone. This automatically means you’re all by yourself. There is no need to share the bathroom, kitchen or bedroom space with anyone else.
- Quiet study space
Being alone also means that during exams you won’t have anyone bothering you constantly or a fellow student trying to distract you. This is one of the benefits of a studio apartment for students, as the study space is all for you, and you can make the best use of this space.
- Full control over your routine
This is a scene from a movie where you can decide on the time you wake up, what type of breakfast you want to have or create plans without considering flatmates. You have full control over your routine and can design your day as per your preferences.
- Private kitchen and bathroom
The most exciting benefits of a studio apartment for students are having the kitchen and bathroom all to yourself. Which means no longer standing in a line to get to the bathroom or being considerate when cooking your favourite dishes in the kitchen.
Cons
- Higher rent
Living alone may seem all glamorous, but the actual trouble is keeping your expenses in check. In this comparison between a studio vs shared apartment for students, a studio apartment’s rent is always on the higher end. While a shared apartment may have a rent split, here you’re taking care of everything by yourself.
- Less social interaction
You’re living alone, which means usually not having anyone around to mingle with or get a few gossip here and there. It can get really lonely at times, and living alone is truly made for those who are introverts or who prefer their own company most of the time.
- Smaller living space
This is a compact living space, with your kitchen, bathroom and bedroom all within a few steps away. This can sometimes feel restrictive, and you can hardly have any guests over.
- More responsibility for cleaning
Again, if you’re by yourself, you need to take care of the apartment. When it comes to deciding between studio vs shared accommodation for students, the cleaning, dusting and clearing up untidiness are all up to you. You cannot be lazy when it comes to this.
Explore a wide range of studio accommodations in the heart of Birmingham and find a space that feels like home. With UniAcco, you can explore student accommodation with fully furnished rooms and all utility bills included, making it easier to find a stay that fits your lifestyle and budget.
🏡 Explore Birmingham Student AccommodationShared Accommodation: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Lower rent
Between studio vs shared accommodation for students, the advantages of shared accommodation are that it comes with a relatively lower rent. Even if the actual rent could be high, this gets split by the students staying in one apartment. This enables better money management and gives you more freedom to spend your money elsewhere.
- Easier to socialise
When you’re constantly around your fellow housemates, you get to know each other well, so socialising with each other becomes extremely easy and fun to do. Late-night movies or creating meals from each other’s cultures becomes a way for each of you to bond and create lifelong relationships.
- Shared living spaces
These apartments come with shared living spaces and lounges, as well as centres such as gyms where every student living in that building can get together and spend time with each other. These spaces are usually equipped with modern technology or equipment.
- Shared household responsibilities
Unlike a studio apartment, here everyone shares equal responsibility. One may be tasked with taking out the garbage; one, for one night, takes care of the food or cleaning. This is one of the best advantages of shared accommodation, as the work is well divided among everyone.
Cons
- Less privacy
You’re bound to be constantly surrounded by your fellow flatmates, and it removes the peace of privacy. While, yes, you may have your own personal bedroom, most of the amenities are shared. So you have to adjust and manage accordingly.
- Noise and distractions
Unlike the pros of staying in a studio accommodation, in a shared apartment with students, the noise could get to you and cause distractions while studying or doing something important.
- Flatmate conflicts
Living closely with people who have different habits, routines or expectations around cleanliness, noise and guests can sometimes lead to friction. Setting clear house rules early can help avoid this becoming an ongoing source of tension.
- Shared kitchen and bathroom
Not every student will be okay with sharing essential spaces such as the kitchen or bathroom. If you have a designated time to head to the loo, and so does someone else, that can cause loss of time and even patience.
Which Accommodation Is Better for You?
- Choose a studio if…
You love your personal space, have always stayed alone, don’t usually like a lot of interactions and don’t mind spending extra to get a lot of privacy and peace to design your day around your preference.
- Choose shared accommodation if…
You’re curious to find out what it is like to live with students from different parts of the world. Shared accommodations are perfect for those who don’t mind sharing the space and are also on a budget.
Unsure about finding the right student accommodation? Take the guesswork out of your search with expert guidance from UniAcco. Get in touch with our experts, explore your options, and find a stay that suits your needs, budget, and lifestyle.
💬 Talk to Our ExpertsThe choice between studio and shared accommodation doesn’t have to be complicated once you know what matters most to you. It comes down to the kind of lifestyle you want to live. This can also come down to the rent you’re willing to pay, and if you’re okay with having flatmates or not; the rest just follows naturally. It all comes down to the kind of people you’re surrounding yourself with, where you’re staying and how comfortable you are with everything.
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