Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) is an option when looking for somewhere to live after your first year. In this blog, student Kerri shares her pros and cons from her experience living in two different PBSAs in Exeter.
When choosing accommodation after your first year, there are plenty of factors to consider, such as who to live with, the location, and your budget. A popular choice for students is purpose-built accommodation, offering a similar experience to on-campus halls, usually with bills included in your rent. These facilities are designed specifically for students and are typically located within the city. In this blog post, I’ll share my personal experience with purpose-built accommodation, having lived in both an en suite and a studio.
Ensuite
I lived in an en suite in a PBSA close to the bottom of the Streatham campus, which featured a private bathroom and a shared kitchen. I chose this accommodation because it was conveniently located with Streatham campus just a short walk away. The shared kitchen was a great way to meet others, but it still allowed me privacy with my own bathroom which was very important to me.
I found this to be quieter than other accommodation options I considered, which was appealing to me as a mature student. I appreciated that it was more of a relaxed and peaceful environment due to there being lots of separate, smaller blocks of flats.
Pros
- Quieter experience – perfect for me as a mature student
- Very close to campus
- Accessible – lifts in each block plus parking outside
- Lots of storage space, plus double bed
- Plenty of room options
Cons
- Not as many facilities as other student accommodations – just a small common room
- More expensive than other ensuite options
- Fire alarms every week that sometimes woke me up
Studio
After the ensuite room, I moved to a studio flat close to the St David’s area. While sharing a kitchen can be a great way to meet people, I was ready for more personal space, and the studio provided just that. It also offered a larger room, but I did find that storage space was more limited, so it’s something to consider if you have a lot of belongings like I do!
One factor that influenced my decision to choose this accommodation was that they had several lifts. I have an autoimmune disease that affects my joints, which makes walking up a lot of stairs difficult – I had to discount some nice rooms in other accommodations because they were on higher floors without lifts. My studio was on the third floor, and without a lift, I wouldn’t have been able to live there, so this was a great option to support me with my health condition.
My second accommodation was a large tower block so it was a bit more lively. It has many facilities, including a gym, cinema room, study areas, and pool tables, so there was more going on. However, due to the proximity of the rooms in such a large building, it tended to be a bit noisier.
Pros
- Lots of events and facilities available, including a free gym
- Private parking available outside
- Accessible – lifts to all floors
- Right on the quayside – beautiful views!
- Free books and board games available in their library area
- Close to the town centre
Cons
- More expensive than other accommodation
- Only studios available (but all have double beds)
- Less storage space than other options
- A long walk to Streatham Campus
I hope you found the comparison between living in an ensuite verses a studio helpful from someone who has experienced both, particularly as a mature student with a health condition. Remember not to rush your decision and make a list of things you should consider.