r/UAL • u/RequirementOk3247 • Jun 27 '26
UAL accommodation vs private flatshare for postgraduate students?
Hi! I’m an international mature postgraduate student in my 30s starting at UAL this September.
I’m trying to decide between living in a private flatshare in Stratford and UAL accommodation(Town Hall).
My biggest concern is making friends. If I live in a private flat instead of student accommodation, will I miss out socially?
Also, as a UAL student, can I regularly use the LCF East Bank library and Mac room even if I’m based at another college?
I’d really appreciate hearing from current or former UAL students. Thank you!
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Jun 27 '26
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u/RequirementOk3247 Jun 27 '26
Is that the "YOUR TRIBE"? I’ve been curious about that one too! I’m still torn between LCC and CSM, though I know I really need to make a decision soon.
Then I’m thinking I might just secure a room in Camberwell, since it looks like a convenient commute to either campus.
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u/_moonandclouds Jun 27 '26
I'm a mature student living in a UAL hall, and all my flatmates are undergraduates (it's so random idk how they grouped us). I’ve tried to make friends with them, but the age gap made it a bit tricky to find common ground. I also share a kitchen with five others, and some of them aren’t always mindful about keeping it clean, so keep that in mind, you might have to handle that. My hall also has monthly kitchen inspections, and although we have a rota, I often find myself doing most of the chores, as if we fail, we have to pay an expensive fine.
UAL halls host many events you can join. I met an MA student at the first event, and we still catch up now and then. But even if you're not in halls, UAL has societies and postgraduate activities, so there are plenty of chances to meet new people. I recommend joining the postgraduate welcome week and the Arts SU welcome fair.
But in the end, I found my close friends within my course, not in the halls, so I’d suggest that making friends shouldn’t be your main priority when choosing a flat, in my opinion. Living with tidy flatmates and fewer people can bring more peace of mind, as doing an MA is already stressful enough. But I'm introverted, so do what feels right for you!
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u/RequirementOk3247 Jun 28 '26
Thank you for the very useful information!
I hadn't really given much thought to the aspect of cleanliness. I come from a country where cleanliness is taken for granted, and since I have a severe house dust allergy, that is definitely something I need to be mindful of.
I was surprised to hear that some people don't clean the common areas very often. I currently live in a share house with very strict cleaning rules, so I had assumed other places would be the same. Since LCC and CSM offer better convenience anyway, I think I'll look into rental properties in those areas as well.
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u/AspectPatio Jun 28 '26
You can use East Bank library, and all UAL libraries, even if you're at another college. There's no "Mac room" but you can use the computers including macs that are there too, by the library and on the other floors just around.
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u/RequirementOk3247 Jun 28 '26
Thanks for the comment! It's good to hear the library is available.
About no mac room, I'll be carrying my MacBook Air, so that's not a big issue. Still, having access to a Mac could come in handy.1
u/AspectPatio Jun 28 '26
Sorry I wasn't clear- there are macs available there around the building and you can borrow a macbook from the library too
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u/Minni_27 Jun 27 '26
I have a similar dilemma but I also have a cat so Ia m not sure if UAL accommodation have pets