Price and location remain the leading considerations for students when they choose their accommodation, according to the annual student survey from Accommodationforstudents.com (AFS).

Students ranked price as the most important factor (82%), followed by location (78%).

Proximity to university is ranked as important by 90% of students, while being located in an area with a high concentration of other students and ease of access to bars and clubs remains less of a priority.

This has changed significantly over the last decade when, previously, university culture and type of student accommodation (university halls or HMOs) meant that nightlife and living in densely populated student areas were most sought after.

Simon Thompson, director of Accommodationforstudents.com, said: “As well as the fact that tuition fees have trebled in the last five years, with the average debt now expected to be around £44,000, student grants have now also been abolished, meaning students are under greater financial pressure than ever before.

“Our survey found that 75% of first year students find not having enough money stressful, which also correlates to more than 80% of first year undergraduates considering the bills included option as important, as it helps them to manage their finances. On a positive note, this appears to have changed student attitudes towards university, with those now faced with the prospect of such an enormous future debt, being more focused on achieving academically than just experiencing uni-life.”

The survey found that 51.3% of students reported paying more than £100 of rent per week – an increase of 14% over a two-year period, with rents the highest in London and the South East.