Student Essentials

Student Accommodation

Find the perfect home away from home. Compare real housing options, city rents and deposit rules for every country we send students to.

Australia

USA

9 countries

City-wise housing guide

Start here

Which Type of Student Housing Suits You?

There are three realistic options wherever you study. They differ in cost, independence and how much of your first month you spend sorting things out. Decide the type first — the country guides below then tell you what it costs.

Student apartments

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)

Modern residences built specifically for students — furnished rooms or studios with shared or private kitchens and bathrooms, run by a management company rather than a landlord.

What is usually included

All-inclusive rent covering utilities and Wi-Fi, sometimes cleaning of common areas
24/7 security and on-site management
Study rooms, communal kitchens, lounges and event spaces
Laundry and bike storage, often a gym or cinema room
Located close to campus and public transport

Advantages

Ready to move into on the day you land
A built-in student community and organised social events
Safer and more structured than an unknown private landlord
Bills included, so budgeting is one number instead of six
The easiest option to arrange from Nepal before you fly

Trade-offs

Generally the most expensive option per person
Less privacy in a shared apartment
House rules on noise and guests
Availability tightens sharply close to the start of semester

Best for

First-year students, anyone who wants a ready-made community, and students who value convenience over maximum independence.

What it costs

In Sydney, Melbourne and London expect roughly AUD 350–650+ per week or the local equivalent. Regional cities and smaller university towns are often well below that.

Student apartments

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)

Modern residences built specifically for students — furnished rooms or studios with shared or private kitchens and bathrooms, run by a management company rather than a landlord.

What is usually included

All-inclusive rent covering utilities and Wi-Fi, sometimes cleaning of common areas
24/7 security and on-site management
Study rooms, communal kitchens, lounges and event spaces
Laundry and bike storage, often a gym or cinema room
Located close to campus and public transport

Advantages

Ready to move into on the day you land
A built-in student community and organised social events
Safer and more structured than an unknown private landlord
Bills included, so budgeting is one number instead of six
The easiest option to arrange from Nepal before you fly

Trade-offs

Generally the most expensive option per person
Less privacy in a shared apartment
House rules on noise and guests
Availability tightens sharply close to the start of semester

Best for

First-year students, anyone who wants a ready-made community, and students who value convenience over maximum independence.

What it costs

In Sydney, Melbourne and London expect roughly AUD 350–650+ per week or the local equivalent. Regional cities and smaller university towns are often well below that.

Homestay

Living with a local host family

You live with a local family in their home, usually with a private bedroom and shared common areas. Meals may be included as full board, half board, or self-catering.

What is usually included

A private, furnished bedroom
Shared access to the kitchen, bathroom and living areas
Meals, depending on the package you choose
Utilities and Wi-Fi in most arrangements
Day-to-day guidance and cultural support from the host family

Advantages

Genuine cultural immersion and daily language practice
Usually more affordable than purpose-built accommodation
A supportive environment, which matters most in your first months
Home-cooked meals and someone to ask when something goes wrong
Often required, and sometimes the only permitted option, for students under 18

Trade-offs

Less independence and privacy
House rules are set by the family, not by you
Quality depends heavily on the individual host
Can feel restrictive if you prefer to come and go freely
May be further from campus than student housing

Best for

Students who want cultural immersion and language practice, younger students, anyone under 18 or required to have a guardianship arrangement, and students on a tighter budget.

What it costs

Usually cheaper than student apartments, charged weekly or monthly. Confirm whether meals are included — a full-board price and a self-catering price are not comparable.

Private rentals

Shared houses, apartments and studios

Independent housing rented directly from a landlord or through an agent. You live like a local resident rather than in student-specific accommodation.

What is usually included

Furnishing varies widely — many places come completely unfurnished
Utilities such as electricity, water, gas and internet are usually not included
You arrange your own bills, cleaning and maintenance requests

Advantages

Maximum independence and flexibility
Often the cheapest per person once you are sharing
Far more choice of location, size and lifestyle
Works for couples, families and mature students, who student housing rarely suits
Lets you live in an ordinary neighbourhood rather than a student bubble

Trade-offs

You carry the responsibility for bills, repairs and the landlord relationship
High upfront cost — bond or deposit, rent in advance, and often agency fees
Real risk of scams and poor-quality properties, especially booked sight unseen
Can be isolating if you do not already have people to share with
The hardest option to arrange from Nepal before you arrive

Best for

Second-year students and beyond, anyone who already has friends to share with, mature students and couples, and students prioritising independence and lower long-term cost.

What it costs

Often the lowest weekly rent, but budget separately for the bond, the first month in advance, utility connections and furniture. The headline rent is rarely the real number.

Before you pay a deposit on a private rental

Always view the property yourself, or have someone you trust do a live video walkthrough — never a recorded one
Confirm in writing exactly what the rent includes
Read the tenancy laws for that country so you know what your deposit protections are
Budget for the bond, utilities and furniture on top of the rent
Never transfer a deposit to a private individual before you have a signed agreement

Side by side

What matters to you	Student apartments	Homestay	Private rentals
Independence	Medium	Low	High
Cost	Highest	Medium to low	Often lowest, if shared
Community and social life	Strong, built in	Family-style	Depends entirely on your housemates
Convenience	Very high	High	Lower — you arrange everything
Cultural immersion	Limited	High	Medium
Suits a first year abroad	Excellent	Very good	Challenging
Bills included	Usually yes	Usually yes	Usually no
Can you book it from Nepal?	Yes, easily	Yes, through a placement service	Rarely, and risky to try

Independence

Student apartments: Medium
Homestay: Low
Private rentals: High

Cost

Student apartments: Highest
Homestay: Medium to low
Private rentals: Often lowest, if shared

Community and social life

Student apartments: Strong, built in
Homestay: Family-style
Private rentals: Depends entirely on your housemates

Convenience

Student apartments: Very high
Homestay: High
Private rentals: Lower — you arrange everything

Cultural immersion

Student apartments: Limited
Homestay: High
Private rentals: Medium

Suits a first year abroad

Student apartments: Excellent
Homestay: Very good
Private rentals: Challenging

Bills included

Student apartments: Usually yes
Homestay: Usually yes
Private rentals: Usually no

Can you book it from Nepal?

Student apartments: Yes, easily
Homestay: Yes, through a placement service
Private rentals: Rarely, and risky to try

A guide, not a rule — a well-run homestay near campus can beat a student apartment across town on every line here.

Types of Student Housing by Country

Housing names, prices and deposit rules are different in every country. Pick your destination to see what students actually live in, what it costs city by city, and how to book it.

Student housing in Australia

Most international students start in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), a university residence or a homestay, then move into a share house. Prices are quoted per week.

Prices in AUD Last checked 17 Sep 2026

Cost of living in Australia

Types of student housing in Australia

Purpose-built student accommodation

PBSA / university-managed apartments

Furnished rooms or studios in student-only buildings near campus, run by the university or a private operator. Bills and internet are usually included.

Typical cost≈ A$360–790 / week

Pros

Furnished, bills included
Secure and close to campus
Easy to book from Nepal

Watch out for

Dearer than a share house
Fixed 40–52 week contracts

Best for: Your first semester

Book before your visa is granted if the provider offers a free cancellation window — good rooms go months ahead of Feb and July intakes.

Residential college

On-campus college (catered)

Traditional on-campus colleges with meals, academic tutoring and a strong community. Common at the University of Melbourne, UQ and Sydney.

Typical cost≈ A$630–960 / week incl. meals

Pros

Meals and utilities included
Tutoring and events
Walk to class

Watch out for

The most expensive option
Rules and application interviews

Best for: Undergraduates who want support

Apply as soon as you hold an offer; colleges fill in rounds and may ask for a short personal statement.

Share house

Share house / sharehouse room

Rent a bedroom in a house or apartment and share the kitchen and bathroom. The most common long-term choice for students.

Typical cost≈ A$170–550 / week per room

Pros

Cheapest per week
Choose suburb and housemates
Flexible once you are settled

Watch out for

Bond + rent in advance
Bills often split separately
Rental scams target new arrivals

Best for: Budget-conscious students after arrival

Inspect in person (or by live video) before paying anything, and make sure your bond is lodged with the state bond authority.

Homestay

Homestay (with meals option)

A private room with a local family, often with breakfast and dinner. Arranged through providers approved by your university.

Typical cost≈ A$345–415 / week + placement fee (Sydney)

Pros

Meals and bills included
Safe landing for younger students
Practise English daily

Watch out for

House rules and curfews
Often a longer commute

Best for: Under-18s and first-time travellers

Under-18 students need approved welfare arrangements (CAAW) — arrange homestay through your provider.

City-wise rent guide

Sydney

A$370–550 / week shared · homestay A$345–415 / week

Shared rooms near UTS/city campuses; homestay via University of Sydney (placement fee A$380).

Melbourne

A$448–786 / week uni apartments · colleges A$759–939

University of Melbourne-owned apartments and colleges (2027 rates). Share houses in outer suburbs cost less.

Brisbane

From A$170 / week share house · PBSA from A$359

UQ figures: 1-bedroom apartments from A$564/week; colleges A$633–958 with meals.

Perth

A$170–250 / week share house near campus

Study Australia's Perth budget example — one of the more affordable big cities.

Deposits & bond rules

Private rentals: a bond of usually 4 weeks' rent plus about 4 weeks' rent in advance.
Your bond must be lodged with the state bond authority — ask for the lodgement receipt.
PBSA and colleges charge their own booking deposit; read the cancellation terms if your visa is delayed.

Tips from our counsellors

Use NPAS-registered student accommodation and homestay providers where possible.
Budget for the first month: bond + 4 weeks' rent + furniture if the room is unfurnished.
Never transfer money for a room you have not seen or verified — rental scams target new students.
Check public transport time to campus; cheaper suburbs can add an hour each way.

Sources (6) · last checked 17 Sep 2026

Figures are indicative ranges from the sources below. Rents change every intake, so always confirm the current price and contract terms with the provider before paying anything.

Popular Destinations

Top Student Cities

Typical student rents in popular study cities. Tap a city to open its country housing guide.

CityBeach lifestyle

Sydney

Australia

A$370–550/wk shared

Australia housing guide

CityCultural capital

Melbourne

Australia

A$448–786/wk uni rooms

Australia housing guide

CityHistoric city

London

United Kingdom

~£226/wk uni halls

United Kingdom housing guide

CityBig student city

Manchester

United Kingdom

≈£845/mo average

United Kingdom housing guide

CityMulticultural

Toronto

Canada

≈C$2,200/mo 1-bed

Canada housing guide

CityMountains & ocean

Vancouver

Canada

≈C$2,362/mo 1-bed

Canada housing guide

CityMost affordable big city

Montreal

Canada

≈C$1,739/mo 1-bed

Canada housing guide

CityVibrant hub

New York

United States

≈US$4,500/mo 1-bed

United States housing guide

CityCollege city

Boston

United States

≈US$2,960/mo 1-bed

United States housing guide

CityNature & city

Auckland

New Zealand

NZ$330–580/wk uni housing

New Zealand housing guide

CityCreative capital

Wellington

New Zealand

Halls on 38–39 wk contracts

New Zealand housing guide

CityMegacity

Tokyo

Japan

≈¥57,000/mo average

Japan housing guide

CityFood capital

Osaka (Kinki)

Japan

≈¥40,000/mo average

Japan housing guide

CityK-culture capital

Seoul

South Korea

₩300k–500k/mo goshiwon

South Korea housing guide

CityCoastal city

Busan & other cities

South Korea

₩200k–350k/mo goshiwon

South Korea housing guide

CityStartup capital

Berlin

Germany

≈€650/mo WG room

Germany housing guide

CityCity of light

Paris

France

CROUS ≈€450/mo

France housing guide

Sydney

A$370–550 / week shared · homestay A$345–415 / week

Housing Search Checklist

Follow these steps to find your perfect accommodation.

Research housing options early

Set a realistic budget

Check proximity to campus

Read reviews and visit if possible

Understand lease terms

Check what's included in rent

Consider safety of neighborhood

Plan for deposits and upfront costs

Frequently Asked Questions

Start at least 3-6 months before your course begins. University halls, residences and dormitories usually open applications as soon as you accept your offer, and the best rooms go first. In Germany, dorm waiting lists can run for several semesters, so apply immediately.

On-campus housing is ideal for your first semester or year: it is furnished, bills are usually included and you do not need a local credit history or guarantor. Off-campus options (share houses, flats, WGs, one-rooms) are usually cheaper per week once you are settled.

It depends heavily on the country and city — choose your destination in the country-wise guide above to see researched ranges for each housing type and city, plus deposit rules. Remember to budget for the upfront deposit or bond as well as rent.

Yes! We provide accommodation guidance as part of our pre-departure support. We help you compare options, apply for university housing on time and avoid rental scams.

Need Help Finding Accommodation?

Our pre-departure support includes accommodation guidance. Let us help you find your home away from home!

Chat on WhatsApp