Students dig Belfast prices

City among top 10 cheapest in the UK

BELFAST is one of the cheapest university cities in the UK for student digs, a study revealed yesterday.

The city was eighth in the top 10 best value areas for undergraduates because house prices are lower.

Property values in other UK college towns have increased by nearly £34,000 over the course of a threeyear degree.

Halifax boss Russell Galley said: “Given the demand for housing and the potential of promising returns for landlords, it is unsurprising house prices in the majority of these areas compared to the country come with a premium.” The lender found the average property bill had increased from £187,636 to £221,585 over the past three years after studying 66 areas.

London was excluded from the research, due to having different factors driving its housing market, as a global city.

The lender said the least expensive university town is Paisley in Scotland, with an average price of £127,395. followed by Bradford, Hull and Sunderland.

Winchester topped the premium table with the average property worth £179,931 or 60% above the norm for Hampshire.

Cambridge commands the second highest premium, with buyers paying £147,590.

1. Paisley, £127,395

2. Bradford, £140,029

3. Hull, £141,117

4. Sunderland, £144,920

5. Middlesbrough, £147,843

6. Pontypridd, £150,034

7. Carlisle, £151,161

8. Belfast, £153,813

9. Stoke on Trent, £154,632

10. Durham, £155,654