Which Way: Accommodation

Residential halls or self-catering flats - where you choose to lay your head can really make a difference, says Helena Pozniak

You've chosen your subject and university or college, and that was testing enough. But it's not over yet. The next big decision, deciding where and how you live, can make or break your student years.

Is it cosy halls of residence with all food provided or cooking for yourself? Can you afford large and expensive, or will you share a room with a complete stranger? Do you want an en-suite bathroom and to live near your friends?

University or college accommodation offices are your first port of call for finding a place to live, whether on-campus or in private residences. The majority have comprehensive websites but can also help out by phone.

Most institutions provide accommodation for all first-year students, but get your applications in early as rooms are allocated mostly on a first-come-first-served basis. Universities such as Nottingham, will guarantee a room to all students who apply before 1 August - either online or by hard copy - and who receive a firm offer. If you apply through Clearing, you are still likely to get accommodation, but with less choice about certain things.

You can of course opt for private accommodation. Colleges and universities will provide a list of registered landlords, but generally this route costs more and you must be unusually independent. Stephen Kay, head of residential catering services at South Bank University in London, says: "College-owned properties are by far the most popular - only the more mature students tend to opt for private."

While nationally there is a shift towards self-catering accommodation, Nottingham's halls of residence are the most popular choice among undergraduates, and you can see why. From £2,620 per academic year (31 weeks) for the most basic, to £4,294 for a large en-suite, students receive three meals a day, seven days a week, plus cleaning and clean bed linen.

However, if corridor-living, and the inevitable communal flavour that it brings, isn't for you, consider the benefits of self-catered rooms. At some universities, such as South Bank, this is all that is on offer, and even traditional campus universities are beginning to provide more of these - shared student flats, sometimes in student "villages", with communal kitchens, and options to share or have your own bathroom. Many have perks such as student bars, TV and common rooms on site. Costs at Nottingham are similar - £2,546 for a standard room to £4,136 for a large en-suite - although prices are for 44 weeks a year rather than 31, as self-catered students, unlike those in halls, don't have to clear out their rooms during the Christmas and Easter holidays.

Check how close self-catering rooms are to your campus. For example, how will you get to lectures and libraries? The benefits of being on the doorstep are obvious. Most purpose-built flats are close - those of South Bank University are a 10-minute walk from its main building and cost between £73 and £92 a week, but other London universities and colleges which are located centrally may provide rooms further afield.

London costs more, but outside of the capital prices are all fairly similar at around £70 a week with food, and somewhere around £50 for self-catering, though this depends on what luxuries you choose. For a quick reference look the UCAS institution guide on their website www.ucas.com.

Clichés about student cleanliness aside, think long and hard about whether you are prepared to keep your own room clean. Many on-site halls of residence come complete with weekly cleaners and fresh bed linen. Elsewhere, you may be on your own. Self-caterers are generally responsible for keeping kitchens and rooms spic and span, although communal areas tend to get a weekly clean. "We encourage rotas," says Kay. "There are the usual 'I did it last week' complaints, but it's all part of learning life skills." Expect to pay a deposit on arrival, often under £100, which is fully refundable provided you haven't wrecked the place. Some universities and colleges give a small discount if you pay for the year's accommodation up front, although most will allow you to pay in instalments, usually termly.

What to bring? Expect your room to be furnished - bed, bookcase, drawers, lamp, wardrobe and curtains. Check if you need to bring your own duvet and sheets. In self-catering, bring crockery, cutlery and cooking, and expect a fridge, freezer and cooker. Putting a personal touch on a room is one of the great things of having your own space, but check what, if anything, you can stick on the walls - most rooms provide pin boards.

Most rooms come with internet access - often broadband - and a telephone, at varying costs. While contents insurance is sometimes included in the fees, you may want to check and increase cover for items such as computers. Buildings are often quite secure, sometimes with CCTV and security locks.

Usually wardens - often mature or post-graduate students - live on the premises and oversee general well-being of the buildings and inhabitants. And if you do make a wrong accommodation choice, take heart, as most institutions will allow you to change.