What Should I Look for When Choosing Student Accommodation? 10 Things That Actually Matter

• 04 Aug, '26
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Choosing your university is a big decision. Choosing where you're going to live while you're there comes pretty close.

After all, your student accommodation isn't just somewhere you'll sleep.

It's where you'll wake up before lectures, revise for exams, cook dinner, make friends, relax after long days and spend a huge part of your university experience.

At Iconinc, we believe where you live can have a real impact on how you feel and what you achieve.

So, what should you actually look for when choosing student accommodation?

Here are 10 things worth thinking about before you book.

1. Is your student accommodation in the right location?

Start with the obvious one: location.

Think about how you'll get to university, how long your commute will take and what's around your accommodation.

But don't focus exclusively on campus.

You'll be living in your university city for most of the year, so think about your whole lifestyle. Are shops nearby? What about supermarkets, restaurants, cafés, gyms and places to meet friends?

Iconinc has student accommodation in Leeds, Liverpool, Lincoln and Glasgow, putting residents in some of the UK's most exciting student cities.

A great location means less time worrying about getting around and more time enjoying university life.

2. How much private space will you have?

University is social. But sometimes you'll want to close your door and have a space entirely to yourself.

That's one of the reasons Iconinc offers private studio living.

Your apartment gives you your own sleeping space, kitchen and ensuite bathroom, creating somewhere you can study, cook, relax and recharge on your terms.

Iconinc also gives you a choice of apartment styles.

A Neo offers sleek, minimalist studio living. A Smart gives you more room and storage. Elegance apartments add a sofa and living area alongside a king-size bed, while Grande apartments take things further with zoned living, entertaining, resting and study spaces.

Your university accommodation should fit the way you want to live.

3. Will you actually get a good night's sleep?

It might not be the first thing you look at on an accommodation website, but your bed matters.

A lot.

Late nights, early lectures, exams, nights out and everything else university throws at you make good-quality sleep essential.

That's why Iconinc studios feature 1,000 pocket sprung mattresses, with full-size double or king-size beds depending on your apartment.

Blackout blinds also help create a space where you can properly switch off.

Because tomorrow looks considerably better after a great night's sleep.

4. Where are you going to study?

Your bedroom desk is useful.

But when deadlines arrive, having somewhere else to study can make a huge difference.

Look for student accommodation that gives you dedicated spaces where you can concentrate individually or work alongside other people.

At Iconinc, studying has been considered as part of the wider living experience.

Depending on your location, you can access dedicated study rooms, pods and booths, iMac stations, WiFi and printing facilities.

Working on a presentation with your coursemates? Find a collaborative space.

Need to disappear into an essay for a few hours? Find somewhere quiet.

And once you're finished, leave the study space behind and switch off.

5. Does your accommodation support your wellbeing?

University can be brilliant.

It can also be busy.

Having somewhere to exercise, relax and recharge without travelling across the city can make looking after yourself much easier.

Iconinc gyms give residents access to fitness equipment as part of their home environment, while selected locations offer additional wellness facilities and spaces designed for relaxation.

It's part of a bigger philosophy at Iconinc.

We want you to live well, feel good and do great.

Your university experience isn't only about academic achievement. Looking after yourself along the way matters too.

6. Are there spaces where you can actually meet people?

For many students, one of the biggest worries before university is making friends.

That's why communal spaces deserve serious consideration when comparing student accommodation.

At Iconinc, your studio gives you privacy when you want it, but step outside and there's a community waiting.

Depending on your Iconinc location, you could find social lounges, cinemas, games rooms, communal kitchens, private dining spaces and outdoor areas.

Iconinc also runs resident events and activities throughout the year, from cultural celebrations and food events to external experiences and wellbeing activities.

Great student accommodation should give friendships somewhere to happen.

7. What security and support are available?

Feeling secure in your student accommodation is incredibly important, particularly if it's your first time living away from home.

When comparing accommodation, ask what security measures are in place and whether support is available outside standard office hours.

At Iconinc, resident safety is a priority.

Our accommodation includes measures such as key card access, CCTV in communal areas and 24-hour concierge support.

That also means there's someone around when everyday questions crop up.

Parcel arriving while you're at university? Need help with something in your apartment? Looking for a local recommendation?

The Iconinc team is there to help.

8. What's actually included?

Two student accommodation prices can look similar until you start comparing what you actually get.

Look beyond the room.

What services, facilities and extras will form part of your everyday life?

At Iconinc, the experience extends well beyond your private studio.

Depending on your location and the programme available, Iconinc residents can enjoy thoughtful additions including Grab & Go breakfast, hot drinks, freshly made bread, Fresh Veg Fridays, resident treats, events, printing facilities and parcel handling.

There are also optional extras available to make life even easier, from cleaning services to bedding and crockery packs.

It's the little things that can make a big difference over an entire academic year.

9. Does it feel like somewhere you'd actually want to live?

Specifications are useful.

But there's another question that's harder to put into a comparison table:

Can you picture yourself living there?

Can you imagine waking up in that apartment?

Would you enjoy spending time in the communal spaces?

Could you see yourself inviting friends over?

Does it feel somewhere you'd be proud to call home?

Iconinc is designed to feel different from traditional student accommodation.

Think private studio meets boutique living, with inspiring shared spaces and a community built around making the most of your university years.

We want Iconinc to be somewhere you look forward to coming home to.

10. Will your accommodation help you make the most of university?

Ultimately, this is the question that brings everything together.

Your university accommodation will be part of your life for months at a time.

So don't choose somewhere based entirely on having four walls, a bed and a desk.

Think bigger.

Choose somewhere that gives you space to concentrate when deadlines arrive.

Somewhere you can exercise and look after yourself.

Somewhere you can make friends.

Somewhere you can shut your door and recharge when you need some time alone.

And somewhere that makes everyday student life that little bit better.

That's what we're creating at Iconinc.

Is private student accommodation worth it?

Private student accommodation can be worth considering if you value having your own space alongside access to communal facilities and a wider student community.

At Iconinc, residents get the privacy of their own studio apartment while still having shared spaces where they can study, exercise, relax and socialise.

It's the best of both worlds: your own front door, with a community just outside it.

Is a studio better than shared student accommodation?

It depends entirely on how you want to live.

Some students love sharing kitchens and bathrooms. Others prefer having somewhere entirely their own.

An Iconinc studio means your kitchen, bathroom and sleeping space are private.

But choosing a studio doesn't mean choosing an isolated university experience.

Iconinc's shared facilities, social spaces and resident events give you opportunities to meet people while still having somewhere private to retreat to afterwards.

Find your student home with Iconinc

University is a chance to achieve something incredible.

We think your home should help you do it.

That's why Iconinc combines beautifully designed private apartments with spaces for studying, exercising, socialising and switching off.

More than traditional student accommodation, it's a place designed around how you want to live.

Discover Iconinc student accommodation in Leeds, Liverpool, Lincoln and Glasgow and find the space that feels right for you.

Iconinc. Live well. Feel good. Do great.