It's always best to arrange accommodation in the UK before you leave home, you may even have friends or relatives that you can stay with, but if for any reason you haven't been able to do this, here is some practical advice.

Think carefully about your needs.  For example, how close is the accommodation to your place of study? Is there good public transport? How much will it cost? Are you near shops and facilities? How big is your room? How secure is it? Will you have enough quiet and privacy to study? And so on.

Then start by going to the international office at the College, where they will be able to advise you on all of this and more.  South Birmingham College does not have any student accommodation, but does have small number of host families that they can put you in touch with.  The international Office will be able to advise you on the options for private accommodation that is not related to the College.  The types of private accommodation that are available are:

Purpose-build student accommodation

This is usually in the style of a hall of residence, but provided by a private company. Your institution can give you details.

Hostels

These are normally owned by charitable organisations. Some hostels provides rooms for both single and married students. They usually provide some meals or have cooking facilities and allow students to prepare their own food. Staying in a hostel can give you the opportunity to become familiar with the area where you are studying and this is an advantage if you want to find private accommodation later.

Lodgings or family home stay

This means renting a room in a private house. The owner will also live in the house, perhaps with their family. You will probably have to share the bathroom and kitchen. You may have to fit in with the family's lifestyle and respect the customs of the household. For example, if there are small children, they may wish to have quiet evenings. Meals may be provided or you may be able to use the kitchen to cook your own food. There may be some restrictions on visitors or overnight guests. This type of housing can provide you with good company and support but you will not be completely independent.

Studio or bedsit

This is a single room, which is both bedroom and sitting room. Traditionally called a bedsit, they are now also called a studio. There may be several studios in one building and these may be occupied by people who are not students. There may not be any cooking facilities in the room, but a shared kitchen elsewhere in the building. Bathroom facilities are also shared. You will have to clean your own room, do your own laundry and provide your own bed-linen and towels. Heating can be quite expensive In a bedsit you may be lonely. Bedsits vary in size and quality so you should never take a room without seeing it first

Flats and Houses

After you've been in the UK for some time and have found a small group of friends; you may wish to share a furnished flat or house together. You will share the rent, heating and lighting bills, the food bills and the cleaning. This sort of accommodation can be cheaper than the other types but large houses can be difficult to find. You will have to provide your own bed-linen and towels and do your own cleaning.

If you are planning to rent private accommodation we would advise that you discuss any contracts and payments with the International Office so that we can advise you, but any contract you enter into will be your responsibility.