How to find accommodation as a student abroad

I’m Ayasha, an academic nomad studying an international master’s programme in South European studies. 

My master’s degree has taken me to Glasgow, Madrid, Marseille and Lisbon, and I’ve lived in 10 different countries for short periods of time. Safe to say that I’m experienced in having to apply for accommodation regularly.  

These are my top tips for finding student housing whether you’re studying, working or volunteering in a new country. 

Student accommodation from the university 

The first step is to find out if there is any university-owned accommodation for international students. It’s one of the safest and most guaranteed ways to find a place to live and they’re built specifically for students at the university. 

Some universities only have space for domestic and long-term international students, so if you’re studying abroad for a shorter period, this might not be an option. 

Once you receive your letter of acceptance, you should check with your programme coordinators or the international office to see if you are eligible.  

University-owned accommodation can provide you with the opportunity to meet lots of other students and enjoy a cultural exchange. Try to apply for student accommodation as early as possible, as places can fill up quickly.  

If your university doesn’t provide housing, you’re late to apply, or you’re arriving for an internship, volunteer project or even a short-term exchange, there are other options. 

If there aren’t any university residences available, you can ask your programme coordinators or university accommodation services for advice. They will be able to provide a list of trustworthy contacts or partner residences to try. 

Facebook groups  

Alternatively, one of the most helpful ways to find student lettings is on Facebook. Let's say you're looking for accommodation in Glasgow. You can start searching terms like ‘Glasgow student accommodation’, ‘Glasgow flats and rooms’ or ‘Glasgow flat share’.  

In each city, there will be similar groups where people advertise for house shares or rental properties. You can even create your own post and say that you are looking for a place to live.  

There are student exchange groups on Facebook, too. As an Erasmus Mundus student, I have access to a Facebook group with students around the world who are also looking for places to stay and sharing properties with others.  

I never accept apartments that I found on Facebook without checking them out personally. It’s easy to get scammed online, so I make sure to look at the profile of the person who shared the rental, ask them to send photos and videos of the property and ask for their availability to show me the flat in person.  

When I visit the property and if I’m interested, I’ll ask the host to sign a lease contract so that the rental is legal. If you can’t visit yourself, ask your university’s international team to check the legitimacy on your behalf.  

Local websites 

In Spain, you can use Idealista.com. In Britain, use gumtree.co.uk, openrent.co.uk or spareroom.com. You can find places to stay around the world on Spotahome.com or housinganywhere.com. I would also recommend looking for flats that are advertised by the owners, so you can avoid agency fees. 

A more expensive option is finding accommodation on Airbnb. You can book a room or flat for a number of months, but the rates on Airbnb are much higher than renting a place through a landlord. While Airbnb hosts do usually offer discounts for longer stays, it’s not as sustainable if you’ll be staying in the country for more than a month or two.     

Be careful booking accommodation online!  

Be careful when you’re booking accommodation online as scams do happen. As I’m looking for housing almost every other month, I’m now able to distinguish between the scams and the real deals.  

Make sure you: 

• Avoid housing where the host expects you to pay the deposit in advance and offers to send the keys in the mail.  

• Avoid housing advertised by a former resident who puts you in touch with a landlord who is ‘out of town’. They often refuse to show the property because they’re away and will ask for a deposit up front too.  

• Don’t send money to anyone without signing a legal contract. 

• Take a photograph of the landlord’s identification for safety reasons.  

• Visit the property yourself if possible, send a friend, or ask your university if the rental can be trusted.  

Usually, scammers will use new Facebook accounts with a couple of low-quality photos and questionably low prices for a good apartment.  

In Britain, the database of landlords can be used to check the legitimacy of the contract and the landlord.  

Studying in France 

I’m currently studying in Aix-en-Provence, France for my third semester and I’m living in student accommodation provided by my university.  

One of the benefits of studying in France is that students can apply for a housing refund from CAF (Caisse des Allocations Familiales) and get reimbursed for some of the payment, depending on your circumstances and whether you have a scholarship.  

Finding student housing can be a challenge for international students, as every country has its own regulations and procedures. I hope with these recommendations, you will be able to find a perfect place for your studies or internship abroad.