How to get the best start at university
Off to university for the first time? Congratulations!
Even if you’re a returning student, getting organised to move can be a daunting process. Here at Citizens Advice Manchester, we want to share some tips to help you get the best start at university.
Renting
If you’re going to university for the first time, it’s likely you will be staying in halls, which means the university is your landlord and you are an ‘occupier with basic protection’. This means that you have basic protection from eviction. Your landlord must obtain a court order, but they do not need to provide the court with a reason why. Read more about your rights and responsibilities as an occupier with basic protection here.
If you’re moving into privately rented accommodation, you’ll be dealing with letting agencies or private landlords and entering a ‘tenancy agreement’..
It’s important to understand the difference between different types of tenancies, and what yours is. The most common tenancy type is an assured shorthold tenancy (AST). In this tenancy you’ll have certain rights, such as deposit protection.
It’s also a good idea to find out whether you’re signing a joint tenancy (where all tenants sign the same contract) or a sole tenancy - (where you’re only responsible for your share of the rent). If you have a joint tenancy, be aware that if one tenant doesn’t pay their share of the rent, the rest are responsible for covering it.
Once you move into your new student house, you’ll need to sort out bills. Check whether your rent includes utilities - if not, you’ll need to set up accounts with the energy supplier, internet provider and water supplier. Other bills you’ll need to set up may include TV licence and contents insurance. On these accounts, it will often be one person named and they will be responsible for making sure the bill is paid.
Don’t forget, as a student you are exempt from paying council tax, but you must apply for council tax exemption.
Student finance and budgeting
Student loans are usually divided into tuition fee loans, which are paid straight to the university, and maintenance loans, which are paid straight to you at the beginning of each term to cover the cost of living expenses.
You’ll pay back your student loans once you've left university and your income has reached a certain level. You can find out more about repaying student loans here.
Knowing how to budget can be a really important skill to have at university, and unfortunately some students learn this the hard way. You can use our budgeting tool to work out your income and expenses and keep on top of your finances.
Getting support and advice
Moving or going back to university can mean a lot of change, and it’s perfectly normal for students to struggle with this.
Your university will have a variety of student support services in place for you to reach out to depending on your needs, such as wellbeing services and mental health support services. You can also reach out to your supervisor with any academic concerns.
Here at Citizens Advice Manchester, we are also here to provide you with advice and support on any issues you may face as a student, whether it’s financial advice, employment questions, or housing issues.
If you need further help or advice as a university student, you can contact our Adviceline free on 0808 278 7800 or explore our website to find out ways to get advice online.