North London
Hampstead
The Royal College of Music (RCM) is one of the best music schools in the world. It has a reputation for providing an unparalleled learning experience for aspiring musicians. With access to excellent facilities and tutors, RCM offers its students an incomparable opportunity in one of the world’s most vibrant cities – London.
If you’re planning on studying (or already studying) at RCM, then you’ll be joining a long list of esteemed musicians, including composers like Holst, Britten and Vaughn Williams.
But before you can start studying and playing, you’ll need to find somewhere to live. If this is your first time moving to London, finding somewhere to live can be a bit daunting. The good news is that we’re here to help, and we’ve put together this guide just for you. It covers everything you need to know and the best student accommodation for RCM.
Ready to find your RCM student accommodation?
The Royal College of Music is located in South Kensington. It's easy to reach by public transport with its own underground station (South Kensington) – making it very accessible for students. It’s also incredibly close to some of London’s most popular attractions, including the Science Museum and Natural History Museum.
For music students, there are few places better to be than South Kensington as there are loads of music venues in the area, including The Royal Albert Hall (on RCM’s doorstep), The Troubadour and the famous 606 club. Plus, there’s always live music on at the local pubs and bars.
If you’re new to London and worried about getting lost, we’ve got good news, the Royal College of Music is all in one place.
Now that you’re up to speed with where RCM is and what’s in the area, let’s take a look at your accommodation options.
Earls Court is a great place for RCM students to live. Living in Earls Court makes it easy for music students to explore their craft. Situated close to many local nightclubs, theatres and concert halls, you can attend gigs and collaborations with musicians from other universities and different genres of music.
Earls Court is only a stone's throw from RCM:
Beyond music, Earls Court is a dynamic and vibrant part of London. It’s a great area for students to live in, with many amenities, including an abundance of shops, supermarkets and restaurants for every taste. Plus, its excellent transport links make it easy to get around London with several bus routes and two tube stations nearby.
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If you're looking for a great place to live as an RCM student, West Kensington is another fantastic choice. It has great transportation links with two tube stations nearby, as well as many buses and overground trains, so students can easily get around London and explore the city's iconic landmarks.
Plus, it’s close to RCM:
Not only is it conveniently located near the RCM campus, the area is also stacked with opportunities to experience London’s music scene, from iconic venues like The Troubadour to independent music shops and underground jazz spots.
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If you're a music student, living in Hammersmith has lots of advantages. The area is brimming with music venues providing loads of performance opportunities – from pubs and theatres to outdoor concerts.
Hammersmith is a bit further away from RCM than both West Kensington and Earls Court but it’s still close to campus:
Alongside the music scene, Hammersmith is full of student-friendly amenities, from affordable restaurants and pubs to plenty of public transportation options that make it easy to get around town. Plus, with its many parks and green spaces, Hammersmith offers a great way to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
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While it makes sense to live in West London if you’re a Royal College of Music student, there are no hard and fast rules about where to live. One of the great things about living in London is that you’re never too far from anything. With tubes and buses, you can get anywhere in the city relatively quickly.
So if you want to live somewhere a bit further away from campus and enjoy central or north London, there’s nothing stopping you. Just remember that you’ll need to get up a bit earlier for those 9 am lectures.
Here are some of the best places to live as an RCM student that are a bit further away from campus.
Euston is one of the best places for university students to live in London. With world-famous universities like UCL and SOAS nearby, not to mention a host of independent theatres, innovative eateries and cultural hotspots, Euston is both fun and educational for students. And let's not forget about transport - with underground lines, overground services and numerous buses operating in the area, it doesn’t take long to get anywhere.
Plus, the area is brimming with great music spots, from world-leading rehearsal studios and intimate gigs, to established record shops and vibrant music venues. With the wealth of options available just moments away, living in Euston is ideal for any music student looking for quality practice time, networking opportunities, or the chance to broaden their horizons.
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Just down the road from Euston, Bloomsbury has become one of the UK's go-to neighbourhoods for students looking to study in London, and it's easy to see why. There’s tonnes to do in the area, and Bloomsbury is on the doorstep of King's Cross St Pancras International station, where you can find a range of public transport options giving fast access across London.
Plus, whether it's classical or jazz, there's plenty for musical enthusiasts to explore in Bloomsbury - from small venues and record shops to concert halls. The music scene here is vibrant and diverse. Plus, there are endless cafes, gardens and museums nearby, so when you feel like taking a break from practice, you definitely won't be bored.
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Hampstead is the perfect place for students to live in. By being slightly further out of the city, Hampstead provides an ideal spot to focus on studies without the hustle and bustle of a city centre. The area also offers a range of parks, leisure facilities and shops that all contribute to a great atmosphere. But while it’s a little further away, it’s still easy to access the rest of London.
With beautiful parks full of street performers, music shops, and venues with regular gigs, Hampstead offers budding musicians plenty of chances to explore their craft. The inspiring scenery also can't be beaten – with its graceful buildings, tree-lined streets, and colourful markets.
Find student accommodation in Hampstead.
If you're looking for the best student accommodation for the Royal College of Music, look no further than StudentStudios2Let. We offer a range of options in safe, convenient locations and are always on hand to provide advice and support.
Plus, we provide all everything you need to feel at home. Including:
But it's not just about having a place to live – we want to make sure students transition into London life seamlessly. That's why our team has put together some awesome guides filled with tips on student living:
Find your accommodation for the Royal College of Music with StudentStudios2Let today and start your university journey the right way. If you have any questions, please get in touch with our team, who are always happy to help.
Featured image attribution: By Diliff - Own work, CC BY 2.5, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1986218
