Exploring where your young person will live

By:: University of Bradford
Published: 07 August 2024
Tagged under:: Accommodation; Parents and carers

A guide to helping your young person find and choose a place to live.

A student smiling at the camera and leaning against a wall.

Your young person has chosen a course, sorted their funding options and mastered some of their favourite recipes.

One of the big decisions left for them to make is where they plan to live while studying at university. Both location and cost will play a large part.

Will they choose to live on campus, commute from home, or share a house with friends?

On campus

The Green is our modern, welcoming, on-campus student village. It’s the University of Bradford’s recommended accommodation. Students who live at The Green are just a few steps away from their lecture theatres, the library, support services and Students’ Union.

If your young person chooses to live at The Green, they will be looked after by a team of wardens who will provide advice and information to help them settle into university life. They also organise social events, trips and competitions on and off campus. Living on campus is a great way for your young person to meet new people and make friends.

"The affordable accommodation at The Green also allowed me to live on campus and experience living and studying away from home for the first time."

- Oscair, MEng (Hons) Civil and Structural Engineering

Learn more at Homes for Students - Bradford.

The Green, Bradford's on-campus accommodation in the sunlight

Home

Living at home certainly has its benefits. Many students who call Bradford and Yorkshire home tell us that living nearby played a part in their choice to apply to the University of Bradford.

Students who continue to live at home while at university can stay in their familiar surroundings and save money. While they ultimately still need to master life skills such as budgeting, cooking, laundry and cleaning, it may not be the same crash course they might experience whilst living on their own.

You may wish to discuss how your young person plans to commute to campus – will they drive or take public transport? We also suggest helping them create a personal study space at home.

"I chose the University of Bradford because both the city and university are very diverse, which I appreciate, and it's close to home."

- Iqra, BSc (Hons) Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Science

Privately rented

Your young person may prefer to live in a shared private house or apartment within walking distance of campus. Compared to most university towns and cities in the UK, privately rented accommodation in Bradford is relatively inexpensive.

When you begin to help your young person find private accommodation, it may be helpful to sit down together and discuss the following questions:

What is your young person's budget?
Where do they want to live?
Is the location within walking distance of campus?
Do they have friends that they can share a house or flat with?

Two students standing in a kitchen, chatting and drinking tea.

It's best to start looking as soon as possible for the best selection, and check out the space together in person, if you're able to. Finally, review the contract carefully.

For a comprehensive guide to finding quality and safe private accommodation, visit Unipol - Student accommodation in Bradford.

Accommodation resources

Our page on accommodation has the information, resources and contact information to help you support your young person as they search for the best place to live.