How much does it cost to live in a university residence?

Knowing how much it costs to live in a university residence is essential when moving to the city where you will study your university degree.

Below, we make this research process easier for you and explain which services are included in the price, the cost of a university residence, and how to choose the type of room that best suits your needs.

The price of a university residence includes a set of services that make students’ lives easier and, at the same time, allow for better budget control.

To know how much it costs to live in a university residence, it is important to consider not only the price, but also the expenses you save.

It should be noted that each Unihabit university residence has its own specific characteristics, so you can check exactly what is included in each case by consulting the current rates.

The price of a university residence is mainly focused on covering students’ accommodation. At Unihabit, you will find different options adapted to you. We offer single, double and triple rooms and apartments, depending on the residence.

All options, without exception, include:

• A fully equipped kitchen, either private or shared, so you can organise your meals and save on external expenses.
• A desk, so you can study peacefully in your room.
• A bathroom inside the room.
• Storage space, where you can keep all your belongings.
• Internet connection.

As you can see, accommodation in a university residence includes everything you need to live comfortably.

Unihabit university residences are specifically designed to give residents as much freedom as possible while living in a safe environment.

One of the great advantages of Unihabit university residences compared to other accommodation options is the wide range of common areas.

At Unihabit, we provide students with different shared spaces to use at different times of the day. Each residence has its own particularities, but in most of them, we offer:

• Study rooms: areas where you can study outside your room. They are equipped with tables and whiteboards so you can study with other classmates.
• Leisure areas: spaces where you can spend time with other students.
• Outdoor area: all residences have outdoor spaces where you can spend time in the fresh air.

In the case of the Manresa and Girona residences, they have a fully equipped and functional gym, so there is no need to leave the premises to exercise.

Another advantage offered by university residences is that many services are included in the fee, such as Wi-Fi. Each Unihabit residence includes different services.

In addition, we also offer self-service laundry and, in some cases, self-service printing and photocopying.

To check exactly what your residence includes, you can contact the Unihabit team.

As you have seen, living in a residence is much more than having a bed to sleep in. There are many more services you benefit from when living in one. The first and most important is security. The residences in Manresa, Girona, Sant Cugat and Ciutat Vella have concierge service. In addition, in Ciutat Vella we have surveillance cameras together with reception service, so access points are monitored throughout the day.

You will also live with classmates who share the same interests as you, with whom you can make community plans and help each other. In a residence, you are never alone. Although you keep your privacy and independence, you will always be surrounded by classmates who will become like family. At Unihabit, we organise sports and leisure activities that students can join and enjoy.

How much it costs to live in a university residence depends on many different factors. At Unihabit, we highlight three main factors:

Living in large cities such as Barcelona, where there is much higher demand, usually costs more than living in smaller cities such as Manresa and Girona. It is important to know this, but also to bear in mind that a large city will offer you many more options, allowing you to adapt your day-to-day life by choosing different alternatives. For example, when choosing a supermarket, you will have many more nearby options available.

Within the same city, the area where the residence is located also has an influence. University residences located close to universities and well connected by transport will have a higher price than those in areas further away from university campuses.

Finally, the services included make a big difference. Paying only for a room is not the same as paying for a complete package that includes utilities, cleaning, common areas, a gym or study spaces. The more services included, the higher the price, but also the greater the comfort and time savings in your daily life.

If you do a little research, you will discover that the price of university residences can vary greatly from one to another. The most important thing is to identify which services are included in each price. Sometimes, a lower price can lead to many other expenses throughout the month if it does not include services such as a gym or Wi-Fi.

As a general rule, the price in university residences is much more fixed, which makes it easier to have clear control of your budget at all times.

At Unihabit, the price of a single room, with private kitchen and bathroom, starts from €627, depending on the university residence, as the cost varies according to the city.

It is a very comfortable option for having privacy and your own space where you can rest and study without interruptions. It allows you to organise your day with complete autonomy. Although the price is higher than in other options, it is also the most complete alternative in terms of comfort and flexibility, especially for students who value their personal space or have demanding study schedules.

There are different shared double room options. These range from apartments to double rooms in loft format or conventional double rooms. These rooms start from €335, depending on the characteristics and location of the student residence.

It is a very balanced option, as it allows you to reduce the monthly cost by sharing the room, without giving up the comforts and services included in the residence.

At the Ciutat Vella university residence in Barcelona, we offer the option of choosing a triple room from €580.

This is a room in the city centre with excellent transport connections. It is an ideal option for those looking to reduce costs without giving up a good location and all the services included in the residence.

To choose the right room for you, you should not only ask yourself how much it costs to live in a university residence, but also what the different options offer you.

There are several aspects to consider when choosing a university residence. Proximity to your university, the services offered and the atmosphere will be key factors in your decision. Once you have chosen the residence, you also need to choose the type of room that best matches what you are looking for.

You should consider whether you are someone who prioritises having your own space above all else or, on the contrary, whether you enjoy company and feel comfortable sharing.

If you prefer the social experience of university life, sharing a room in a university residence may be the best option. However, if you are looking for more independence and autonomy, choosing a fully private single room is the alternative that best suits you.

Each student is used to their own routines and preferences. The lifestyle you want to have is decisive when choosing one type of room or another. If you need concentration, silence or have demanding schedules, you will probably prefer a single room, while if you are more sociable and enjoy shared living, a shared room can improve your university experience.

How do you usually handle living with others? Sharing a room means adapting to other people. It is important to consider whether you feel comfortable sharing space, schedules and habits.

Good community living can greatly enrich the experience, but it also requires a certain amount of flexibility.

Although there are many common areas, your room in the residence is the space where you will spend the most time. That is why it is important to consider aspects such as size and layout.

In this sense, sharing a room is not a disadvantage. Shared rooms are designed so that each student has their own space within the room, with clearly differentiated areas for studying, resting and storing belongings.

Having to live away from home during post-compulsory studies is an additional cost that is taken into account in some financial aid schemes.

The most popular is the General Scholarship from the Ministry of Education, MEC, which includes a specific amount to cover part of residence expenses. In this case, certain financial and academic requirements must be met.

Sometimes, there are also grants promoted by universities themselves or agreements with residences that make access to accommodation easier. One example is the case of ETSAV, where, thanks to the agreement with Unihabit, we offer a discount of almost €250 on the registration fee for the Sant Cugat university residence.

We recommend always asking your university about these grants or contacting our team.