Accommodation
Start arranging your accommodation early. We recommend that you stay in Fraserburgh or Aberdeen. If you live in Aberdeen you will need to travel for an hour to the College 3-4 times a week by our free College bus. However, Aberdeen has many part time employment opportunities and a good choice of sport, leisure and social activities. If you choose to live in Fraserburgh you should be aware that the employment and accommodation opportunities are limited. Therefore we usually encourage our students to live in Aberdeen city centre if they plan to work part time while studying full time.
Privately owned flats
Sharing a flat with other students is the most popular option for our international students, as it allows them to reduce their living costs by being fully responsible for payment of their accommodation. You might need to arrange temporary accommodation before you secure a long term lease (see Craibstone option below). Another option is to look in local newspapers where there are flats advertised. This is usually the quickest way to secure permanent accommodation. You can also visit property agencies as they offer many flats for rent. Always ask for fully furnished properties.
Generally you need to sign a rental agreement for 6 months minimum. You should always ask in advance if there are any administration costs for their services, however, in most cases services are free of charge. Once you find a flat you like, you will be required to pay usually one month’s rent and a deposit (which is equivalent to one month’s rent but is refundable at the end of the lease minus any costs for breakages) in order to obtain the property keys. You will need to show a letter from the College as a reference and maybe other documents depending on the property agency requirements.
Before signing the rental agreement, make sure you read the terms and conditions carefully, that the property is in a good state of repair and well maintained and the location is safe. You should also obtain and sign the inventory, which is a list of furnishings and other items in the property. Once you have paid the deposit always ask for a receipt. Establish what bills you will be responsible for and try to get an estimate of your monthly costs. Prices range from £500-£1000 for 1-3 room properties, excluding bills such as gas and electricity, which can be around £50 per month per property. Please see current property prices on www.aspc.co.uk
Halls of Residence
These are usually large buildings accommodating many students where everyone has their own bedroom and share the bathroom and kitchen with other students. Usually you need to sign an agreement for the whole year. Prices range from £65–£90 per week and electricity is usually included in the cost of rent. However, there might be a charge for washing/drying your clothes. You might also need to buy your own bedding, pots and dishes. You do not have to pay Council Tax if you are living in Halls. For current prices please see www.unite-students.com
Craibstone Halls
Address: Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, AB21 9TR, UK
Type: Self-catering
Price: £85 per week (7 nights) for a single en-suite room for session 2011/2012
To book: please email gwen.bruce@sac.co.uk
For more info please call +44 1224 711 012
Notes: Please state that you are a Banff & Buchan College student to qualify for the discounted rate above. This accommodation is close to the airport.
Hillhead Halls
Address: Hillhead Halls of Residence, Don Street, Aberdeen, AB24 1WU, UK
Type: Self-catering
Price: £65 - £11.70 per week (7 nights) for a single room, shared bathroom for session 2011/2012
To book: please email hillhead.halls@abdn.ac.uk
For more info please call +44 1224 274 000
Notes: Please state that you are a Banff & Buchan College student to qualify for the discounted rate above. This accommodation is on the College’s bus route.
Woolmanhill Halls
Address: Woolmanhill Self Catering Flats, 134 John Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1LE, UK
Type: Self-catering
Price: £85 per week (7 nights) for a single room, shared bathroom for session 2011/2012
To book: please email p.macinnes@rgu.ac.uk
Notes: Please state that you are a Banff & Buchan College student. This accommodation is in the city centre.
More detailed information on and further student halls can be found at www.rgu.ac.uk/files/dmfile/InternationalQA2011-12.pdf, www.rgu.ac.uk/living/accommodation/locations/woolmanhill-flats and www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki/University_of_Aberdeen_-_Accommodation.
Temporary Accommodation
Although the College is based in Ellon/Fraserburgh most of our EU Students choose to live in Aberdeen and travel to the College for an hour 3-4 times a week by our free College bus.
From students’ previous experience it is not easy to arrange accommodation while you are abroad. Therefore, it is worth booking a few nights temporary accommodation in a hostel, bed & breakfast or hotel before you arrive in the UK. This will allow you to find permanent accommodation once you arrive in the UK. You should make the arrangements early as summer is a peak period and accommodation providers get very busy. Once you are in the UK it usually takes a few weeks to arrange for a flat and to move into it. The best location is the city centre.
Council Tax
If you are a full time student and live with full time students only, you might be exempted from paying Council Tax. You need to complete an ‘exemption form’ to secure this upon moving into the property.
Once you are accepted to study at Banff and Buchan College we can also provide you with a list of current students' email addresses who might be willing to help you to arrange your temporary accommodation.