North London
Hampstead
If you’re thinking about studying art, fashion, design or another creative subject, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to places to study. Before you even choose a university, you have to choose from a long list of brilliant art cities like Rome, Athens, Istanbul, Paris…
And, of course, London.
London is one of the best places to study art in the world. It’s got everything that art students of all levels need. There are top-notch galleries and museums like The National Gallery, the National Portrait Museum, the Tate Modern, the Saatchi Gallery…. London’s also got an exciting art scene with plenty of smaller galleries and pop-ups all around the city — especially in places like Shoreditch and Camden.
So, where better to study an artistic subject than the University of the Arts London (UAL)? Well, that’s a bit of a trick question because UAL is actually a collection of colleges and institutions around London. The university includes world-renowned colleges like Central Saint Martins and the Chelsea College of Art.
If you’re thinking about studying at UAL, or you’ve already got your place on a course and are looking for accommodation. We’ve got your back. In this guide, we’re going to take you through everything you need to know about UAL, its key locations and the best places to look for student accommodation nearby.
Ready to get stuck in?
Chelsea College of Arts is part of the University of the Arts London — Image by Entangle - Own work, CC BY 3.0, link
Before we dive into accommodation options in London, it’s handy to get to know a bit more about where you’ll be studying. As we already mentioned, despite being called The University of the Arts London, UAL is a collection of colleges and institutions that are dotted around London, including:
The institutions that make up UAL were all originally independent colleges that were grouped together in 1986 to form the London Institute. In 2004, the group of colleges was renamed the University of the Arts.
If you’re planning on studying at UAL, you’ll be joining a pretty prestigious alumni. Over the years, the different colleges have been called home by big names like Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Jarvis Cocker, Jimmy Choo and more.
Now that you know a bit more about UAL, let’s dig into your accommodation options. As UAL is made up of different colleges around London, that’s how we’ll go through your student accommodation options. As we run through the main colleges, we’ll give you recommendations for where to look for accommodation, a bit of information about the college itself and things to do in the area.
Ready to find your accommodation?
If you’re thinking about studying at Central Saint Martins, you’ve made a fantastic choice. It’s one of the best-known parts of UAL and has an incredible reputation. It’s a great choice for anyone interested in art and design and has some very famous alumni, including Laure Provost (Turner prize winner), John Galliano and Stella McCartney.
Central Saint Martins is in the King’s Cross area, right in the heart of London. It’s a busy and exciting area with lots of different things happening. You've got everything you need right there – from shops and cafes to art galleries and incredible restaurants..
If you’re looking for student accommodation close to campus, we’d recommend starting your search in Euston. It’s super close to King’s Cross so you won’t have far to travel for classes. Here’s roughly how long it takes to get to Central Saint Martins from Euston accommodation:
The area’s got a good mix of busy city life and quieter spots where you can relax or study. It’s also really convenient for getting around London, and you can find lots of affordable places to eat and hang out. Plus, Euston station has a national rail line which can take you to other cities in the UK.
Take a closer look at Euston student accommodation or check out our complete guide to finding accommodation for Central Saint Martins.
Chelsea College of Arts is well-known for its focus on fine arts, graphic design, and interior design. It's a place where creativity flourishes, and students are encouraged to push boundaries and explore new ideas.
The college is in Pimlico, which is right on the Thames. It’s a lovely area that’s perfect for art students. Pimlico is quieter than some other parts of London, but it still has plenty to offer. You’ll find galleries, small cafes, and beautiful parks nearby, making it a great place to get inspired and work on your projects.
When it comes to accommodation, Pimlico itself is a great option. Living here means you're just a short walk from the college. Here’s what you can expect in terms of travel time to the campus:
Pimlico is known for its lovely streets, charming atmosphere and it’s a safe area. It’s also well-connected to the rest of London, so exploring the city or getting to other parts of the university is easy.
Check out more on student accommodation options in Pimlico or dive into our full guide to finding accommodation for the Chelsea College of Arts.
London College of Communication is a major part of the University of the Arts London. It’s known for its outstanding courses in media, design, and communication. It's the perfect place for budding filmmakers, journalists, and designers to learn and grow.
While the college is in Elephant and Castle, a lively area, we recommend considering Bloomsbury for your accommodation. Bloomsbury is only twenty minutes away from campus on public transport, and is well worth living slightly further from the college.
Here’s a rough guide for how long it takes to get to campus:
Bloomsbury is a great choice for anyone studying in London as it’s nestled right in the heart of literary London and it’s a very academic area. The area was once home to some of the best writers and artists of their time, including Charles Dickens and Virginia Woolf, and it’s easy to see why. It’s also got loads of fantastic places to relax, study and focus on your work, including plenty of independent cafes and historic squares and gardens.
Plus, Bloomsbury is very close to Euston and King’s Cross, which means you can get around London and the rest of the UK easily.
Find your student accommodation in Bloomsbury today, or if you’re looking to live a bit closer to campus, we recommend looking at student accommodation in Pimlico.
Heading to Camberwell College of Arts? Congratulations! The college is celebrated for its strong focus on arts and design. It’s an ideal place for those keen on exploring their artistic talents and developing their creative skills.
It’s also home to the famous Camberwell Press and has an impressive alumni that includes Florence Welch (from Florence and the Machine), Tim Roth (actor) and Malcolm Morley.
While the college is situated in the artistic hub of Camberwell, which has a fantastic arts scene, we suggest looking at Pimlico for your accommodation. Pimlico is a bit further away, but it's a fantastic choice for students.
Here’s a quick idea of the travel times to campus:
Pimlico is a great place to live. It's got a classic London feel with regency buildings and quiet gardens – perfect for when you need to escape the busy student life and just relax. The area's got a lot of history and character, and there are plenty of cafes and shops around where you can hang out or hit the books.
The best part? Pimlico is super close to big transport spots like Victoria Station, so getting around London or even heading out of town is a breeze.
If you're looking for a spot that's peaceful but still connected, Pimlico's a great bet for your time at Camberwell College of Arts. And if you want to stay nearer to college, Camberwell's got some good options too.
Find student accommodation in Pimlico today.
As a key part of the University of the Arts London, Wimbledon College specialises in theatre, screen, and fine art. Students are encouraged to explore and express their artistic talents, and previous students include Jeff Beck, James Hawkins and Richard Hudson.
For accommodation, we recommend looking at Earls Court. While Wimbledon College of Arts is located in the leafy area of Wimbledon, Earls Court is a fantastic nearby option for students and is only 20 minutes away on the tube. It's a great area in West London, known for its eclectic mix of cultures and activities.
Earls Court is a good choice for students who want a balance of city life and peaceful living. The area is filled with cafes, pubs, and shops, providing plenty of places to relax and meet up with mates. It’s also well-known for its beautiful Victorian architecture.
Travelling from Earls Court to Wimbledon College of Arts is pretty straightforward. Here’s a quick glance at your commute options:
Living in Earls Court means you’ll be in a lively yet comfortable part of London. It’s well-connected to other parts of the city, making it pretty easy to explore or commute to internships and part-time jobs. Plus, Earls Court is considered a safe area, perfect for students looking for a home away from home.
If you're after a place that’s close to college but also gives you a full London living experience, Earls Court is a top choice for your accommodation while studying at Wimbledon College of Arts.
Find student accommodation in Earls Court.
So there you have it, the best places to find student accommodation if you’re studying at the University of the Arts London.
Sort of.
One of the best things about studying and living in London is that you’re never far from anything. The tube and those iconic London buses make it a doddle to get around, which means you don’t have to be right on your university’s doorstep. Looking to study at Central Saint Martins but fancy finding student accommodation in Hampstead? Go for it.
While being close to campus is handy (especially for those early lectures), finding student accommodation in London isn’t all about location. When you start your search, ask yourself what you want from your accommodation:
Whatever you’re looking for from your student accommodation, you’re bound to find it in London. Just take your time searching.
At StudentStudios2Let, we specialise in student accommodation in London. We have over 400 all-inclusive studios in seven of the best areas of London:
If you’re looking for student accommodation for UAL, explore our private student accommodation options today. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch, and we’ll do everything we can to help.
Featured image credit: By Ualwebsupport - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, link
