'My rent was higher than my student loan' - the booming cost of private halls
Summary
Private student housing in UK cities is growing quickly, but rents are becoming very expensive. Many students, like Lara Reader from Edinburgh, find these costs hard to manage and struggle to find affordable places to live.Key Facts
- Private Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) is increasing in UK university cities.
- These housing options often include private rooms with amenities like gyms and study areas.
- Rents for PBSA are higher than traditional student housing and often exceed student loans.
- Lara Reader’s rent in Edinburgh was £1,022 per month, more than £200 above her monthly maintenance loan.
- To pay rent, Lara worked 20 hours a week while studying, which affected her exam results.
- The number of students living in private-sector halls in the UK rose from about 118,000 in 2014/15 to over 206,000 in 2024/25.
- Scotland’s PBSA supply increased notably, with Glasgow and Edinburgh seeing significant growth and many new developments planned.
- Average weekly rent is around £268 in Edinburgh and £243 in Glasgow, higher than the UK average outside London (£191).
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