Finding a place to live while studying abroad can be seriously stressful, especially if you're moving to a new country where you don’t know anyone (or anything about renting!). The good news? Some universities make your life a whole lot easier by guaranteeing student accommodation, at least for your first year.
That means no last-minute apartment hunting, no weird landlords, and no panicking about where you’ll sleep during welcome week. Just show up, move in, and start your student life.
Below we’ll show you which universities in Europe guarantee housing, who it’s for (hint: often international or first-year students), and what you need to do to lock it in. If comfort, convenience, and peace of mind are on your checklist, this list is for you.
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When a university says they offer guaranteed accommodation, it usually means this: If you meet certain conditions, they promise you a spot in student housing. But here’s the catch: it’s not always for everyone. Most of the time, the guarantee applies to:
And “student housing” can mean different things depending on the country or the university. It can range from a room in a shared flat with other students, to a private studio. Also, the guarantee doesn’t mean you’ll get the exact one you want, but it does mean you’ll have somewhere to stay when semester starts.
Some universities don’t promise you accommodation, but they still work closely with trusted partners to support their students. Some examples are the University of Oulu in Finland and Audencia Business School in France, which collaborate with providers that offer affordable and student-friendly housing options.
Below is a list of universities across Europe that guarantee accommodation (not free rent!). Use this table to compare your options and spot the universities that’ll have your back.
Institution | Country | Eligibility | Housing options |
---|---|---|---|
Constructor University | Germany | All international students | Single apartment, single and double rooms |
Chalmers University of Technology | Sweden | Double Master's Degree, exchange and fee-paying programme students | One-room apartment or single room with shared spaces |
Windesheim University of Applied Sciences | Netherlands | First-year or exchange students | Shared room or studios |
HAMK Häme University of Applied Sciences | Finland | All international students | Accommodation for families and single students |
Falmouth University | United Kingdom | First year undergraduate students applying before June | Self-contained studio apartments and shared bedrooms |
SRH Haarlem University of Applied Sciences | Netherlands | All international students | Furnished studio |
American University of Rome | Italy | All international students | Apartment houses with 4 to 9 students |
University of Twente | Netherlands | Non-EEA first-year students | Furnished rooms |
University of Kent | United Kingdom | All international students | En-suite options or shared housing |
University of Szeged | Hungary | Scholarship holders | Furnished apartments and rooms |
So you’ve found a university that guarantees accommodation. Great! But you still need to follow a few steps to actually secure your spot. Here’s what to keep in mind:
50業子 Tip: While not all universities offer guaranteed accommodation, some still provide strong support. For example, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands has a dedicated department to help international students find a place to live.
Not every university offers accommodation, but that doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. It just means you’ll need to be a bit more proactive.
In many cases, universities will still help you find a home by connecting you with trusted platforms, student residence partners, or private landlords. But be aware that in some cities finding a room can still be really tough, especially places like Paris, Amsterdam, or Dublin, where demand is high and housing is limited. In those locations, it’s common for students to start their semester without a place to stay, which can be very stressful.
And here’s something a lot of students don’t realize: In some countries, such as Czechia and Norway, having proof of accommodation is part of your visa application. If you can’t show that you have somewhere to live, you might not get your visa. So if your university doesn’t guarantee housing, you need to start looking as early as possible, ideally months in advance.
Because of all the above, we recommend you to consider studying in a smaller city or town. While major capitals get all the hype, smaller university towns often offer just as good education, cheaper rent, and a stronger sense of community. It’s easier to make friends, easier to find a place, and you’ll probably feel more at home.
So if your dream university doesn’t offer a housing guarantee, don’t panic! Just plan ahead, ask for help early, and keep your options open.
Study in Europe: Find Bachelors & Masters fully taught in English
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