Are you off to university this year? If you haven’t already, now is the time to start thinking about your accommodation options! Private student accommodation is a popular choice with first year students as the facilities tend to feel more like a home away from home.
Never heard of private accommodation for students before? You’re in the right place! In this week’s edition, the team at Rivermead Islands take a closer look at the differences between and the benefits of private and standard student residences!
The Difference Between Private Student Accommodation and Halls
The main difference between private student accommodation and on-campus accommodation is that private accommodation is not owned or managed by the university, but by a private company or landlord. Unlike traditional halls of residence, private accommodation has a homelier feel, whilst being specifically designed for students.
Private accommodation offers many benefits, such as private bathrooms, spacious bedrooms, quieter working spaces and high-speed internet connection. Often, this is not guaranteed with standard student halls because of the sheer volume of people living on site.
Additionally, rent wise, private student accommodation is usually rented on a per-room basis, with a shared living space and kitchen. Alongside standard deposits, student halls of residence often ask for the rent of the academic year to be covered upfront, to ensure the bulk of payments are met. This is a large expense that many have to save up for and pay in instalments, which can be inconvenient.
Are Private Student Accommodation Options Part of The University
No. Private Student Accommodation are owned privately and not part of the university campus, or owned by your university. At Rivermead Islands, we are a family run company who wish to enhance the student experience for those studying at ARU Chelmsford.
Although not part of the university, we’re moments away, offering over luxury student living in brand new apartment buildings in the heart of Chelmsford city centre.
Will I Miss Out on The Student Hall Experience?
This is a common query for those considering private student accommodation. So long as you choose to live within the local vicinity, privately owned accommodation buildings are typically located within a couple of miles of your university. So, you’ll never be far from the hustle and bustle of campus.
At Rivermead Islands, however, we are located just a short walk from the ARU campus and the on-site student accommodation. Rest assured, you’ll never miss out on a flat party, pre-drinks or a social on campus.
Our apartment buildings have over 300 rooms, many communal lounges and study spaces; Rivermead is a social hub in itself! Our private accommodation ensures that you still get the full university living experience! Plus, we’re just a few minutes’ walk away from the town centre, where you can find an array of bars, pubs and restaurants to enjoy with friends.
What Sets Us Apart
Private student accommodation can offer a slice of luxury whilst studying. At Rivermead Islands, we are redefining student living. Our apartment buildings, PointView and The Lofts, are brand new, providing modern and practical spaces for students, with picturesque views and all in a central location to both ARU and the heart of the city of Chelmsford.
As a resident, you can benefit from a whole host of facilities, including en-suite, double bedrooms, all-inclusive bills and our 24/7 on-site concierge team. Each team member holds 20+ years of experience in security and customer service and we’re available to assist should you need anything throughout your time here.
Get in Touch
So, if you haven’t considered private student accommodation, we hope you can now make an informed decision regarding your student residence.
Hoping to study at Anglia Ruskin Chelmsford? We would love to hear from you. Our booking process is fast and easy, and we are now taking bookings for September 2023! Simply complete our form to be added to the waiting list.
If you’ve got any other questions, the Rivermead Islands team are on hand to help! Take a look at our detailed FAQs page here, or you can get in touch with our team through our contact page.
Don’t forget to take a look at our Instagram @rivermeadislands for more information, pictures and updates! We look forward to hearing from you.