Student Halls vs Student Housing: What’s Better for Your Uni Life?

If you’re heading into your second or third year at uni, or just starting to think about where you’ll live next year, chances are you’ve come across the big question: Student Halls or Student Housing?

Student halls (also known as purpose-built student accommodation) look shiny on the surface—modern blocks, en-suite rooms, communal lounges. But when you dig a little deeper, it becomes clear why thousands of students every year choose student houses over halls.

At Student Housing, we’ve lived the student experience ourselves. We know what matters most: freedom, space, affordability, and a place that feels like a real home. So here’s why renting a student house in Lincoln, Nottingham, or Hull with your mates is still the best move.

1. More Freedom, Fewer Rules

Student halls can feel more like boarding schools than student homes. Some even have rules banning alcohol on site, or security guards checking in if you have friends over. Want to host a birthday? Play music past 10PM? Invite a few mates back after a night out? Think again.

With Student Housing, it’s your house. You make the rules (within reason!). You and your housemates decide how to live, when to chill, and who comes over. No signing in guests, no surprise room checks, and no strict curfews.

2. Live With Who You Want

In student halls, you’re often placed in flats with random people—and if you don’t get on, you’re stuck. With a student house, you choose your group. You and your mates can rent a 4-bed, 5-bed, or even 10-bed house and enjoy the fun of living together, your way.

3. More Space, More Privacy

Student houses usually give you bigger bedrooms, living rooms, and kitchens compared to the compact layouts in halls. Forget tiny microwaves and sharing one hob between six people—our student properties are built for real student living.

Plus, you get your own space to relax, study, and enjoy uni life without bumping elbows every five minutes.

4. All-Inclusive Bills = Simplicity

At Student Housing, all our rents include utilities: gas, electric, water, heating, internet, and even your TV licence. One monthly rent, no hassle, no hidden costs.

Some halls do this too—but usually at a premium. And they don’t always give you full control of your heating or offer high-speed broadband as standard, asking you to pay extra to use the better wifi.

5. More Affordable Than You Think

Student hall studios in Lincoln can cost between £170–£375/week. In contrast, our student houses average £110–£130/week, with all bills included.

That means more money left for nights out, societies, and takeaways—not rent. If you’re looking for cheap student accommodation in Lincoln, Student Housing offers unbeatable value.

6. A Real Home Experience

Living in a house helps you prepare for life after uni. You get the independence of managing your home, sorting bins (sorry, someone’s gotta do it!), cooking proper meals, and having space to just be.

No key fob lifts. No monitored CCTV lounges. Just a normal home—shared with mates.

7. We’re Students Too (Well, We Were)

Student Housing was founded by former students who remember what it’s like to live away from home for the first time. That’s why we’ve built a lettings experience focused on service, simplicity, and making your time at uni as stress-free as possible.

Need help with maintenance? Speak to a real person, not a chatbot. Something broken? We fix it fast. Want advice? Our team gets it—because we’ve been there.

The Bottom Line:

Student halls are fine for first years. But for real student living, nothing beats a house.

No security guards telling you what to do
No rules about who can come over or when
Real kitchens, real space, real freedom

If you’re searching for student accommodation in Lincoln, Nottingham or Hull, check out our available properties now and experience Student Housing that actually feels like yours.

Affordable student houses. Bills included. Homes made for students. Find your place

Search now at https://student-housing.co.uk