North London
Hampstead
London is one of the world’s most exciting and diverse cities, with a rich culture that draws people from all around the globe. The city also attracts students looking to study in some of the best universities and colleges in the world. If you’re reading this guide then you’ve probably done the hard part in applying to study at your favourite London university, working hard to get the grades and being accepted. But, the work isn’t over just yet because finding affordable private student accommodation in London can take time. With a city so big, there are many options to choose from. We’ve put together this guide to help you find your perfect place!
Here’s a breakdown of everything that’s covered in this comprehensive guide to finding affordable private student accommodation in London:
When it comes to student accommodation in London, there are many benefits to renting privately.
Before we dive straight into our tips, let’s take a step back to establish exactly what we mean by “private student accommodation”... Private student accommodation refers to student housing that’s rented from a private landlord or accommodation provider, rather than directly through a university or college. It comes in all shapes and sizes including shared residences, private flats and private studio flats.
The cost of student accommodation in London varies from area to area.
The average monthly cost of private student accommodation in London varies from about £784 per month for shared residences, £845 per month for a studio flat, and £1,339 per month for a one bedroom flat. These prices, however, vary substantially from one area of the city to another and you may need to spend more or less depending on your requirements.
Private student accommodation is available all over London - with some areas being better than others. To save you time, we've narrowed down some of the most affordable areas to rent private student accommodation in London. We’ve also listed some of the universities and colleges near each location.
With so many universities and colleges in the area, students love living in Bloomsbury.
When it comes to student accommodation in London, Bloomsbury is a firm favourite amongst students due to the sheer number of universities and colleges in the immediate and neighbouring area. This proximity has blessed Bloomsbury with a great community of students, meaning that you’ll be surrounded by opportunities to meet new people whilst still having your own private accommodation.
| Room in a Shared Residence | £560 - £2,100 per month |
| Studio Flat | £950 - £4,000 per month |
| One Bedroom Flat | £1,500 - £5,100 per month |
Located just a stone’s throw away from Bloomsbury is Euston, which is within walking distance of many popular London universities with great transport links to just about anywhere in the city. With so much to do in the immediate area as well as nearby Camden and the West End, you’ll have plenty of options for your study breaks and weekends.
| Room in a Shared Residence | £400 - £2,500 per month |
| Studio Flat | £900 - £2,800 per month |
| One Bedroom Flat | £1,140 - £4,000 per month |
West Kensington is a quiet residential area that promises private student accommodation at a relatively more affordable price tag than neighbouring areas within Kensington. This makes it an attractive option for students who want their own space to live and relax, whilst still being close to university and amenities.
| Room in a Shared Residence | £450 - £3,000 per month |
| Studio Flat | £700 - £2,400 per month |
| One Bedroom Flat | £975 - £3,250 per month |
Earls Court is one of the most popular areas for students to live in London, with plenty of amenities and transport links. Similar to West Kensington, it offers significantly more affordable private student accommodation options than neighbouring areas within the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It's home to many restaurants, independent coffee shops and bars - making it a good place to socialise after lectures or classes.
| Room in a Shared Residence | £400 - £1,500 per month |
| Studio Flat | £700 - £2,800 per month |
| One Bedroom Flat | £1,000 - £4,700 per month |
Hampstead is another favourite when it comes to affordable student accommodation in London. It has a quaint village feel that makes you question if you’re really in London, an abundance of green spaces to get lost in, gastropubs (a British favourite) and transport links to the rest of London. Hampstead also has plenty of shops for your everyday needs.
| Room in a Shared Residence | £460 - £1,700 per month |
| Studio Flat | £550 - £3,500 per month |
| One Bedroom Flat | £1,000 - £4,600 per month |
Renting private student accommodation in Pimlico means that you’ll have no shortage of independent cafes, restaurants and shops on your doorstep. And, not to mention, the whole of Central London for the true city experience. Enjoy riverside walks to university with this South West London favourite.
| Room in a Shared Residence | £550 - £1,500 per month |
| Studio Flat | £850 - £2,000 per month |
| One Bedroom Flat | £1,200 - £4,000 per month |
Hammersmith is another lively part of the city that's great for students. You'll find plenty of cafes to finish university work in, as well as restaurants and bars to spend evenings. Students tend to fall in love with this charming South West London area because it has something for everyone, as well as a real community of students from every London university.
| Room in a Shared Residence | £475 - £1,400 per month |
| Studio Flat | £800 - £1,900 per month |
| One Bedroom Flat | £1,100 - £4,500 per month |
All-inclusive private student accommodation does exactly what it says on the tin and is inclusive of all bills. What does this mean? You don't have to worry about paying for utilities such as water, electricity and gas each because it's included in your rental cost. When it comes to finding affordable private student accommodation in London, all-inclusive prices are usually cheaper than paying separately for rent and utility bills.
Renting all-inclusive private student accommodation also means that you have a more accurate estimate of your monthly outgoings. You can sleep easy at night knowing that you won’t be stung by a high energy bill next month for having the heater on full blast.
There are a few ways to find the best deals on private student accommodation in London. Number one, trusty Google. Narrow down your search to the area or even the road that you want to live during your studies. This is likely going to be close to your university so that you can get to lectures, tutorials and any other on-campus activities quickly.
Number two is estate agents. Visit as many of these as possible in order to compare prices for accommodation that you're looking for. If you are unable to attend viewings because you're an international student for example, make sure that there are plenty of photos available so that you know what your new living space will look like before committing.
Another option is to cut out the middleman and rent directly from a private provider or landlord. The great thing about this is that you won’t have to pay agency fees, saving you money on your private student accommodation. You might also find properties that aren’t on estate agent websites. It’s important, however, to have your wits about you when it comes to renting directly with a private landlord. If you find a property that you’re interested in, make sure that:
Another option is social media. Facebook in particular has plenty of housing pages with loads of private student accommodations listings. You could even ask members of London university Facebook groups which areas they recommend when searching for private student accommodation in London. Again, be sure to ask to see pictures and to view a property before going ahead with it. And that everything is above board.
Finally, another great way is to sign up for email alerts from providers as they'll send out information about discount rates, new properties and special offers which can make finding affordable private student accommodation easier.
When it comes to finding affordable student accommodation, the most important thing is to be patient and start looking as early as possible. This will boost your chances of finding an affordable option with everything that you need. Finding the right student accommodation for your budget can be a lengthy process. The good news is that there are plenty of options when it comes to private student accommodation in Central London and further out, which means you are sure to find something that suits your needs and budget.
At Student.Studios2Let, we manage and rent private student accommodation in London. We make renting in London easy with fully-furnished and all-inclusive studio apartments. If you need any extra information or advice on finding affordable private student accommodation in London, please get in touch and we’ll be glad to help.
