Tips on Renting for Students in England (but all tips are welcome!)?

I am beginning my first year of university tomorrow and I’m really jealous of all my other friends moving away from home. I would like to rent by this time next year but not in the student areas, instead near to where I live now which is 20 minutes away from the university.

I have worked out how much money I would need to finance my ‘one off’ spends which I can save from this years student loan and my part time job. The total comes to about £1700 as I need to buy more costly items such as a fridge-freezer, washing machine, hoover and bedframe.

I have also guessed at my running costs per month. If anyone is renting a smallish house (2 bedroom) I would like to know how much on average monthly bills are. I have budgeted for about £700 a month on utility bills (is this realistic?) and about £100 per person on food bills.

I want to live with my current boyfriend however I cannot assume we will be together in a years time or that he will want to move in or pay towards the bills.

How can I afford this from my student loan (£1700 a year), a student loan type thing off my nana and grandad to make up for the shoddy loan (about £1700 a year) and my part time job which could potentially bring in £4000 a year.

Please help me:

- Find ways of funding the monthly rent
- Estimate my utility bills total
- Give me tips on renting in general
- Anything else you think I will need from the question asked

Thank you soooooo much for any help at all..this is something I really want to do and asap!!