University of East Anglia, NorwichNorwichUnited Kingdom
Updated 7/23/2026

Should I Choose an Ensuite or Studio Under £180/Week in Norwich?

Student Query

Hi, I'm Anne. I'm starting an Integrated Master's at the University of East Anglia this September, and I'm trying to keep my accommodation costs to around £180 a week. I really like the idea of a studio for the privacy, but I've seen that they tend to cost more. Should I pay a bit more, or go with an ensuite to stay on budget?

Student Profile

NameAnne Fabunmi
OriginLondon, Greenwich
DestinationNorwich, United Kingdom
Budget£180/week
Goal

To compare an ensuite and a studio within a £180 weekly budget and choose the best student accommodation option in Norwich.

Constraints
  • Budget limited to £180 per week
  • Unsure whether a studio is worth the extra cost
  • Wants maximum privacy without exceeding budget
  • Looking for accommodation near the University of East Anglia
  • Considering the trade-off between commute, privacy, and affordability

Answer Summary

Yes, an ensuite is the better call at a £180/week ceiling. At Pablo Fanque House, ensuites on a 44-week term start around £179/week, just inside budget. Studios at the same property start around £225–£239, even on longer 51-week terms — a £45–£60/week gap that adds up to over £2,000 across a year.

Cheaper studios do exist elsewhere in Norwich (prices range roughly £165–£345/week citywide), so the studio itself isn't overpriced — it just doesn't fit at this property within Anne's number. An ensuite still gives her a private bedroom and bathroom; the only real trade-off is a shared kitchen and living space instead of a fully self-contained flat. One other factor worth weighing alongside price: Pablo Fanque House is closer to City College Norwich and Norwich University of the Arts than to UEA, so her daily commute is a bus ride rather than a walk.

How UniAcco Helped Anne Fabunmi?

  • Compared ensuite vs studio pricing at Pablo Fanque House directly against her £180/week budget.
  • Laid out the trade-off plainly - privacy vs cost - without treating either option as objectively "better".
  • Flagged the 29-minute bus commute to UEA so the full picture was clear, not just the price.
  • Helped her book the Golden En-suite on a 44-week term ahead of her September move-in.

Why Studios Cost More

A studio includes its own kitchen and bathroom in a self-contained space, so you're paying for more private square footage per person. An ensuite gives you a private bedroom and bathroom but shares the kitchen and living area, spreading that cost across more residents. That's typically why studios run £40–£80/week above ensuites in the same building.

Ensuite vs Studio at a Glance

Starting price

~£179/week (44-week term)

~£225–£239/week (51-week term)

Fits Anne's £180 budget

Yes, just inside

No

Privacy

Private bedroom and bathroom

Fully self-contained, including kitchen

Shared spaces

Kitchen and living area

None

Properties Worth Considering

  1. Crown Place, Norwich — Ensuites from around £185/week, just above Anne's ceiling but close, with both room types and bills included. Reported walking distance to the university.
  2. INTO Norwich — On the UEA campus, a 3-minute walk. Ensuite pricing spans roughly £195/week, so a within-budget room is likely — worth confirming current rates.
  3. Benedicts Gate, Norwich — About a 6-minute drive from UEA, with gym and cinema access. Live pricing wasn't confirmed — check current rates before assuming it fits the budget.

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