There are two main types of accommodation:
1．accommodation owned, managed and provided by your institution;
2．accommodation owned by organizations or private landlords, which you will have to find and arrange either by yourself or with the help from the accommodation office at the institution．
Accommodation provided by your institution
This might be the most suitable type if you are coming to the UK for the first time． It will provide you with opportunites to get to know other students and become involved in the social life1 of the institution．
Hall of residence2
These are usually large buildings occupied3 by many students． Residents live in study bedrooms4, either alone or sharing with another student． Bathrooms and other facilities are usually shared． Telephones are normally provided on each floor, or in each room． Halls of residence sometimes provide breakfast and an evening meal．
Self－catering halls
This accommodation is similar to halls of residence, but you can buy and cook your own food in a shared kitchen． Some institutions have a small number of self－catering flats5 for students with families．
In most cases, accommodation provided by the institution has to be arranged before you come to the UK． When you are offered a place on your course, you will usually be asked if you would like your institution to provide accommodation or to arrange alternative private accommodation for you． Make sure you meet deadlines for booking accommodation6．
Other types of accommodation
Hostels7
These are normally owned by charitable organizations． Some hostels provide rooms for both single and married students． They usually provide meals or have cooking facilities and allow students to prepare their own food． If you wish to apply for a place in a student hostel, you should do this in advance because many hostels have long waiting lists． Lists of hostel are available from the British Council Office in your home country．
Lodgings
This means renting a room in a private house． The landlord or landlady will also live in the house, perhaps with their family． You probably have to share the bathroom and kitchen． You will have to fit in with the family＇s life style and respect their customs． Lodging can provide you with good company and support but you will not be completely independent．
Bedsits
This is a single room, in which you will have to live and sleep． The building will be divided into several bedsits which will be rented by other people who may not be students．
Cooking facilities may be in the bedsit or elsewhere in the building, in which case, you will have to share them． You will also have to share bathroom with other people living in the building． You will have to clean your own room． In a bedsit you will be independent and have a lot of freedom, but it may be lonely． Bedsits vary in size and quality so you should never take a room8 without seeing it first．
Flats and houses
After you have been in the UK for some time and have found a small group of friends, you may wish to share a furnished9 flat or house together． You will share the rent, heating and lighting bills, the food bill and the cleaning． This sort of accommodation is cheaper than other types, but large houses may be difficult to find．
Temporary accommodation
Hotels and guest houses
Guest houses are similar to hotels, but instead of having a restaurant, they may have a dining room where you have no choice about the meals served． Living in a hotel for a long period of time will be expensive． But they provide useful temporary accommodation which you can reserve while still in your home country．
When you are looking for accommodation, first ask the accommodation or welfare office, or the students＇ union at your institution． They have lists of local accommodation available for rent and they may help to arrange the accommodation for you．
住宿类型主要分两种：
1．由你所在的学校拥有、管理、提供的住处；
2． 由某些机构或私人房主拥有的住处。这种住处你要么自己寻找并落实，要么在学校住宿办公室的协助下寻找。
学校提供的住处
如果你是第一次来英国，这种住处是最合适的。它使你有机会认识别的学生，并参与学校的社交生活。
学生宿舍
这种住处一般为有许多学生住宿的大楼。入住者的卧室兼作书房——或单人独享，或两人同室。卫生间及其它设施一般由大家共享。通常电话设在每一楼层，或每间屋子都有。学生宿舍楼有时会提供早餐和晚餐。
自供伙食宿舍
这种住处与学生宿舍楼相似，但不同的是，你可以使用公用厨房，自己买菜做饭。有些学校还有少量供学生家庭使用的自供伙食公寓。
在多数情况下，要想住在学校提供的住处，你必须在到英国之前就联系好。学校录取你时，会问你是否希望住在学校提供的住处，还是希望联系别的私人住房。一定要在预定住房截止日期前预订好。
其它类型的住房
青年旅社
这些住房一般由慈善机构拥有。有的招待所为单身学生或有家室的学生提供房间。这里一般都提供饭食，或厨房设备，允许学生自己做饭。如果你想申请住招待所，你必须事先联系，因为许多招待所都有大队人排着长队等着入住。你可以从设在本国的英国文化委员会办事处拿到招待所名单。
寄宿客房
指在私人住房里租一个房间。房主或女房东也住在房子里，也许他们全家都住在这里。你也许要和他们共用卫生间和厨房。你必须适应这家人的生活方式，尊重他们的生活习惯。寄宿可以使你免去孤单感、得到帮助，但你没有完全的个人自由。
单人宿舍
单人宿舍是一个单独的房间，你可以在里面学习和睡觉。整幢住宅被分成若干卧室兼起居室。这里还有别的人来租住，他们不一定是学生。
做饭设备可能在房间里，也可能在别处。这种情况下，你要和别人共用。你还要同楼里的其它住客共用卫生间。你要自己打扫房间。住在卧室兼起居室里你可以自由自在，但可能会感到孤独。卧室兼起居室的大小和质量相差很大，所以你千万要先看一看，然后再租。
公寓套房和整幢住房
你在英国住了一段时间、结交了一些朋友后，也许会希望同他们一起合住一套带家具的公寓或住房。你们要分摊房租、取暖费、电费、伙食及清洁费用。这种住宿比其它类型便宜，但要找到大房子也不那么容易。
临时住宿
旅馆及旅社
旅社与旅馆相似，只是没有可以点菜的餐厅。旅社里可能有一间餐厅，饭食不能选择，只能有什么吃什么。长时间住旅馆费用很高。不过，旅馆为你提供了很好的临时住处，你可以在出国前就预定好房间。
在你寻找住处时，你应该首先到你所在学校的住宿或后勤办公室，或学生会打听情况。他们有当地可以租到的住所的名单，而且可能会帮助你联系住宿。
1． social life:社交生活
2． halls of residence:学生宿舍
3． occupied:住在里面
4． study bedrooms:（可供学生学习和睡觉的）寝室兼起居室
5． flats:有单独厨房、卫生间和卧室的一套住房
6． deadlines for booking accommodation:预定住房截止日期（你要留意申请手续上注明的时间）
7． hostels:招待所，旅社（一般为青年学生开设）
8． take a room:指租下一个房间
9． furnished flats or houses:已经有家具的现成住房