Few experiences compare to living in London as a university student. The city has something for everyone, and it was recently voted as one of the best student cities. So if you’ve just been accepted by a London university, you’re in for an incredible experience.
But moving to a new city can be both exciting and daunting. Sure, you have the opportunity to explore a new place, meet new people, and discover all that it has to offer. But you also need to get to know a whole new place and find a place to live, which can be a pretty scary task. If you’re moving to London to study, you’ll need to find affordable student accommodation that meets your needs and budget.
Luckily, we’re here to help.
We’ve put together this complete step-by-step guide to finding the best student accommodation in London. It covers everything you need to know to make the right decision and find a place to live that suits your needs.
Let’s get stuck in.
Before you can do anything else, you need to work out how much you have to spend on your student accommodation. We’ll be straight with you, both the cost of living and accommodation prices in London are quite high, so budgeting is pretty crucial (but it’s well worth it to experience life in the city).
Your accommodation costs will probably be the most expensive thing on your list of outgoings. While it might be tempting to opt for the cheapest place you find, we wouldn’t recommend it. Cheap accommodation tends to be quite far out of the city and the quality of the accommodation can be very poor (trust us, we’ve heard some horror stories).
At the same time, you don’t want to blow all of your budget on expensive accommodation and have nothing left to enjoy your London experience. So before you start Googling where to live, you need to work out how much you’ll have to spend monthly.
At this stage, you’re unlikely to know how much you’ll be spending on other expenses each month, but it’s important to factor them in. These can include:
These costs vary from student to student, but we’d recommend setting aside somewhere between £400 and £800 monthly for other expenses. As you get used to London living, you’ll be able to work out a more specific amount to set aside.
Read our in-depth guide to student budgeting in London.
If you're considering studying in London, one of the first things you'll notice is that there are plenty of accommodation options. With so many different accommodation options, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.
From private student flats to house shares, there's something for everyone in London – but how do you choose? Let's take a look at the different types of student accommodation available.
Private student flats are increasingly popular among students in London. This type of accommodation offers privacy and independence, allowing students to enjoy their own space without having to worry about other people's noise or mess.
Plus, private student flats tend to come fully furnished with all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay, such as kitchen appliances and furniture. They’re also usually all-inclusive for bills, so you won’t need to worry about additional costs.
University halls of residence provide an ideal option for those looking for a more traditional university experience. Most universities offer single rooms or shared apartments with communal kitchens and bathrooms that are perfect for making new friends and socialising with other students.
University halls can be cheaper than private student flats, making them a great option if you're on a tight budget. The downside is that they usually have strict rules and regulations and far less privacy, so they may not suit everyone's lifestyle choices.
Another popular option is private halls of residence which offer similar benefits as university halls but with better facilities. Private halls provide all the necessary amenities, such as kitchens, bathrooms and common areas, as well as additional benefits like gyms or swimming pools, depending on the provider. They tend to be more expensive than university halls and around the same price as private student flats.
Finally, house shares are a great way for students who want their own space but don't want the cost or responsibility associated with renting an entire property by themselves. House shares typically involve multiple tenants (usually 4-6) living together in one property, sharing responsibility for bills, cleaning etc., giving each tenant their own space while allowing them to save money on rent too.
House shares are a popular option, but there are risks associated with them. One of the biggest is that you rely on people you don’t know to pay their share of rent and bills. Alongside that, private house shares are difficult to find in central London (and expensive when you can find them).
Deciding where to live in London as a student can be overwhelming. With so many different neighbourhoods, it can feel like an impossible task to narrow down the right place for you. Luckily, some key questions can help you make your decision.
When choosing a place to live in London as a student, one of the most important things to consider is proximity to your university. The last thing you want is a long commute—not only will it take up time that could otherwise be spent studying or socialising, but it will also be expensive.
If possible, try and find somewhere close enough that you can walk or bike – not only will this save money on transport costs, but it will also help you get familiar with the area quickly. Check out some of our guides for finding accommodation for London universities:
On the other hand, if you’re ok with jumping on the tube for a little while in the mornings, you can choose to live wherever in London.
London has a great public transportation system – from buses and tube lines to overground trains – so no matter where you choose to live in the city, chances are you’ll have easy access to transport links.
Plus, if your university offers any kind of student discounts for public transport (which many do), then this could be even cheaper. Do some research into the local transport links before making your decision so that you know exactly what options are available for getting around town quickly and easily.
London is full of fun things for students of all ages. If you’re looking for somewhere with lots of entertainment options, then look for places near popular attractions such as museums, galleries and restaurants; or areas with vibrant nightlife scenes like Soho or Camden Town.
Alternatively, if peace and quiet is what you’re after, then look into quieter areas like Hampstead, located slightly further away from central London. Here you’ll find everything from family-friendly neighbourhoods with pubs and cafes to peaceful residential areas with excellent parks and green spaces.
Now that you’ve got your budget worked out, you’re up to speed with the different types of accommodation and know where you’d like to live in London, you’re nearly ready to start your search.
There’s a huge amount of accommodation available in London, and you’ll need to separate the wheat from the chaff. Here are a few things to do to work to ensure you find the best accommodation for you:
The price of accommodation is obviously one of the most important factors when choosing where to live as a student. It can be tempting to just go with the cheapest option, but it’s important to think about what is included in that price.
For example, some accommodations may include bills such as utilities and internet access, while others may charge extra for these things. It’s also worth taking into consideration whether or not the accommodation offers any discounts or promotions that could make it even cheaper than advertised.
You should also take the time to look at the average accommodation costs in the area. It’s a good idea to be wary of anything that’s significantly lower than the average or higher, as these can be warning signs. If the cost is higher than average, check to see if your bills are included, as this could make the accommodation cheaper in the long run.
When you’re looking at student accommodation in London, it’s important to make sure that you know exactly what is included with your tenancy agreement. This could include furniture and appliances such as washing machines and fridges, as well as any additional services like housekeeping or laundry facilities.
If you decide to go for a shared house, make sure you read your tenancy agreement closely and note what your responsibilities are. Be sure to check for anything that doesn’t seem right and flag it with the landlord or estate agent before signing anything.
The length of your tenancy agreement is another important factor when searching for student accommodation in London. Generally speaking, tenancies last between six months and two years, depending on your circumstances.
Longer tenancies tend to work out cheaper because they give landlords more security and assurance that tenants won't leave early on them unexpectedly; however, shorter tenancies can provide more flexibility if needed.
You’re nearly there! Now that you’re up to speed with everything you need to know about finding student accommodation in London, you can start your search. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed at this stage, don’t panic. While you’ve got a lot to think about, you’re not the first student to be in this situation, and it’s much easier than it sounds.
Plus, we’re here to help.
At StudentStudios2Let, we manage and rent private student accommodation across London. So whatever you’re looking for in your accommodation, we’ve got you covered. We have accommodation sites in seven areas of London that are all close to universities.
We make finding student accommodation in London easy by offering several fully-furnished and all-inclusive studio apartments throughout the city. Whether you’re looking for a short-term rental or somewhere to settle down for a while, we have something that can cater to your needs.
And if you need any extra information or advice on finding affordable student accommodation, our friendly team is here to assist. Get in touch today and let us help make your search hassle-free and fast!
Moving to a different city can be daunting, especially when you have to search for student accommodation. That's why we're here to make it easier. At Student.Studios2Let, our goal is to provide an easy and affordable way for students in London to rent fully-furnished studio apartments with all bills and Wifi included.
Our team will provide friendly guidance and advice if needed, so you don't have to worry about the details. To top it off, we offer a variety of locations across London – perfect for the modern student on the go. So if you need student accommodation in London – look no further than Student.Studios2Let!