Like every year, this year also, student accommodation is very much in demand among international students. A large number of students from around the world like to study abroad, which is the reason behind this demand. Different types of accommodation are available in different cities in the world, among which the prominent ones are on-campus accommodations and PBSA properties. Both these types are widely popular today. However, the inclination towards these has been increased among students in the past few years.

You will read the difference between PBSA and on-campus accommodation below followed by the difference in living in them.

Difference Between PBSA and On-Campus Accommodation

PBSA stands for Purpose-Built Student Accommodation, and it is a type of property especially developed for students by private developers. On the other hand, on-campus accommodations are the accommodation found on university campuses. These types are also developed for students but are owned by universities.

Difference Between Living in These Two Types

#1. PBSA Properties Have Freedom Whereas On-Campus Accommodations Have Strict Rules

If you book an on-campus accommodation, you are bound to follow some strict rules imposed by the university that owns the accommodation. On the other hand, PBSA properties provide you the freedom that an on-campus accommodation doesn’t have. Of course, PBSA also has some rules, but they are less and not so strict as compared to on-campus accommodation.

You can arrange parties more easily in PBSA properties as compared to on-campus accommodations.

#2. PBSA Properties Have More Facilities

When it comes to facilities, PBSA outperforms on-campus accommodation. It is because PBSA properties are developed by private developers for profit, so they make every possible effort to attract students. It proves to be advantageous for students as they get more facilities. Moreover, they get these facilities at inexpensive rates. Of course, on-campus accommodations also have some facilities but they are fewer as compared to PBSA properties.

In PBSA properties, you may find study desks & chairs, study rooms, and libraries for your studies. Broadband or Wi-Fi internet connections may also be available for studies, communication, entertainment, online shopping, etc. Many PBSA properties also have well-equipped gyms for workouts of students. You may also find sports courts and swimming pools there for your fun and fitness. Cinemas and smart TVs are the entertainment facilities in numerous PBSA properties. Games rooms with facilities to play games like pool, billiards, table tennis, foosball, video games, etc. can also be found in many accommodation properties.

#3. You Can Sometimes Find PBSA Properties at Low Rents as Compared to On-Campus Accommodations

As already stated, private developers offer PBSA properties for profit. Therefore, they sometimes offer accommodation at low rents to students to attract them which proves to be beneficial for students also. Besides, sometimes, discounts are also offered by the owners of these properties.

#4. PBSA Properties Have More Flexibility than On-Campus Accommodations

Since on-campus accommodation is owned by universities, you don’t get much flexibility there. But, since PBSA properties have private ownership, you get more flexibility there. You can talk to the owner or the authority appointed on the owner in a PBSA property and can get some leniency in many things.

#5. Accommodations in PBSA Properties Can Be Found and Booked Easily

You can book accommodations in PBSA properties easily since more and more online student accommodation service platforms are inclined towards offering these accommodations.

On such a platform, you can visit the pages of many cities in the world and find the lists of accommodation properties. All you need to do is to search for the name of the city where you need accommodation or the university near which you want it. For instance, if you need student accommodation Chicago, you are required to enter “Chicago” in the search box to find a list of student accommodation properties available in Chicago. Or, if you want to get student accommodation near the University of Chicago, you can enter the aforesaid university’s name in the search box to find properties near it.

You can see the details of the properties by clicking their names or images and can compare them. Some platforms have a special comparison feature through which you can compare different aspects of multiple properties such as prices, amenities, distances (from universities), etc. on a single webpage. A filter feature can also be found on many platforms through which you can filter the list according to price range, amenities, accommodation type, shared or unshared room, shared or private bathroom, and more.

The aforesaid platforms are available in the form of websites and mobile apps.

#6. Students Can Live in PBSA on Vacations

Many on-campus accommodations are closed during vacations, especially in summer holidays. So, students living in them have to make other arrangements for vacations if they want to live in their host cities. But, PBSA properties allow students to stay there the whole year. So, they don’t need to make special arrangements for vacations if they have chosen PBSA.

#7. PBSA Properties Have More Accommodation Options

There are different types of accommodations available in various cities in the world among which five are prominent: shared rooms, ensuite rooms, non-ensuite rooms, studios, and apartments. It has been often observed that PBSA properties have more accommodation options whereas on-campus accommodations have limited options.

#8. PBSA have Good Maintenance and Support

PBSA providers usually have dedicated maintenance teams to promptly address any issues that may arise in the accommodation. Additionally, there is typically on-site management to assist with various needs. It has been observed that Universities have support staff available to handle maintenance requests but in late responses and low people working for maintaince and support team.

#9. PBSA have a Nice Cultural Experience

PBSA may have international students from diverse backgrounds, providing an enriching cultural experience. This exposure can lead to a broader perspective and lifelong friendships with individuals from around the world while living on campus student accommodation also offers exposure to a minimum diverse student population, providing opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and learning but have many restrictions.

#10. Environmental Impact and Sustainability

In recent years, there has been an increasing emphasis on sustainability and eco-conscious living. Some PBSA facilities prioritize environmentally friendly practices, such as energy-efficient appliances, waste reduction initiatives, and sustainable building materials while on-campus accommodations, depending on the university, may also incorporate sustainable practices. Universities are increasingly recognizing the importance of environmental responsibility and may implement green initiatives within their housing facilities.

#11. Personal Growth and Independence

Your choice of accommodation can significantly contribute to your personal growth and development. PBSA units, with their focus on independent living, can be a great way to learn essential life skills such as budgeting, cooking, and managing a household. On the other hand on-campus housing, with its communal living arrangements, fosters a sense of responsibility and cooperation among residents. It provides opportunities to develop interpersonal skills, conflict resolution abilities, and a deeper understanding of communal living.

Wrapping Up

Both PBSA properties and on-campus accommodations have benefits but when we analyze carefully, we find that PBSA properties have more benefits. In PBSA, you get freedom, flexibility, facilities, and more as compared to on-campus student accommodations.

Still, it very much depends upon the preferences of the students which of them they choose. Both are found in most cities and students can search about them online.

There is one more option that is available for students in many cities. It is the option to choose private apartments. They are not developed especially for students but these apartments or the rooms in these apartments are also rented a lot by students today.