North London
Hampstead / Finchley Road
The Royal College of Art in London is one of the most prestigious art schools in the world. Founded in 1837, it has educated some of the world's most celebrated artists, including Sir Peter Blake, David Hockney and Tracey Emin.
The college offers a wide range of postgraduate programs in art and design, covering everything from painting and sculpture to fashion and architecture. With around 2000 students from over 60 countries, the Royal College of Art is a truly international institution.
Located in the heart of London's creative district, it provides its students with unrivalled access to the city's vast array of galleries, museums, and studios. Whether you're an aspiring artist or simply looking to broaden your horizons, the Royal College of Art is an outstanding place to learn.
But before you can follow in the esteemed footsteps of legendary artists, you’ll need to find somewhere to live. We’re here to help with that. This guide will give you everything you need to know about finding student accommodation near RCA and some of the best places to live in London as a student.
Image attribution: Author: Shadowssettle, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
The Royal College of Art is located in London, England. The college was founded in 1837 by a group of artists and designers who wanted to provide formal training in the arts. Today, it is the leading art and design school in the world for postgraduate degrees and has three campuses spread across London:
If you're an RCA student, there aren’t many better places to live than West Kensington. It's a great area for students – there are plenty of things to do, and it's well connected to the rest of London. Plus, it’s within walking distance of your classes if you’re studying at RCA Kensington.
| RCA Kensington | RCA Battersea | RCA White City | |
| Walk | 42 minutes | 1 hour | 49 minutes |
| Cycle | 16 minutes | 17 minutes | 16 minutes |
| Public Transport | 25 minutes | 31 minutes | 28 minutes |
West Kensington is a safe area, and there are plenty of things to do in your free time. The Olympia Exhibition Centre is nearby, as well as Kensington High Street and Notting Hill. There are also a number of parks and open spaces, so you'll never be short of things to do. And that’s all before you start exploring the rest of London, which is easy because the area is well-connected, with good transport links to the rest of London.
Find student accommodation in West Kensington.
If you're an art student looking for a vibrant and creative place to live, Earls Court is a perfect choice. The neighbourhood is home to a large community of artists, musicians, and other creative types, making it a great place to network and collaborate.
| RCA Kensington | RCA Battersea | RCA White City | |
| Walk | 27 minutes | 32 minutes | 53 minutes |
| Cycle | 12 minutes | 13 minutes | 19 minutes |
| Public Transport | 24 minutes | 23 minutes | 35 minutes |
There are also plenty of art galleries, performance venues, and other cultural amenities nearby, providing endless inspiration for your work. And with its central location, Earls Court is easy to get around whether you're commuting to university or exploring the city on your days off.
Find student accommodation in Earls Court.
Hammersmith is a great place to live if you're an art student. Not only is it home to a number of art galleries and museums, but it also has a thriving arts community. There are always new exhibitions and events to check out, and there are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the local arts scene.
| RCA Kensington | RCA Battersea | RCA White City | |
| Walk | 51 minutes | 56 minutes | 43 minutes |
| Cycle | 19 minutes | 18 minutes | 13 minutes |
| Public Transport | 23 minutes | 40 minutes | 26 minutes |
If you're looking for inspiration, Hammersmith is definitely the place to be. And if you need a break from all the art, there are plenty of other things to do in Hammersmith as well. There are plenty of great restaurants and cafes, and the river Thames is just a short walk away.
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One of the best things about living in London is that nothing is really that far away. With the tube, great bus services and easily accessible bicycles, you can get pretty much anywhere quickly. So if you’re not too worried about living very close to campus, we’ve put together some of the best areas in London for postgraduate students to live.
For arts students looking for a vibrant and creative place to live, Euston is the perfect choice. Located in central London, Euston is near a bunch of universities, colleges and galleries, as well as countless bars, cafes and clubs. It's also within easy reach of other arts hot spots like Camden Town and Soho.
| RCA Kensington | RCA Battersea | RCA White City | |
| Walk | 1 hour | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle | 22 minutes | 31 minutes | 40 minutes |
| Public Transport | 30 minutes | 37 minutes | 31 minutes |
Find student accommodation in Euston.
As an arts student, living in Bloomsbury is the perfect way to immerse yourself in London's creative scene. The area is home to a number of world-renowned museums and art galleries, as well as a number of boutique shops and cafes.
| RCA Kensington | RCA Battersea | RCA White City | |
| Walk | 1 hour | N/A | N/A |
| Cycle | 25 minutes | 42 minutes | 45 minutes |
| Public Transport | 31 minutes | 40 minutes | 36 minutes |
Find student accommodation in Bloomsbury.
Hampstead is a great place to live if you're an art student. There's a real sense of community here, and it's easy to get involved in the local arts scene. There are plenty of galleries and studios to check out, and there are always events and exhibitions happening. Hampstead is also home to a number of excellent colleges and universities, so it's easy to find fellow students to collaborate with.
| RCA Kensington | RCA Battersea | RCA White City | |
| Cycle | 28 minutes | 39 minutes | 28 minutes |
| Public Transport | 42 minutes | 1 hour | 48 minutes |
Find student accommodation in Hampstead.
There are few better places to live as a student than London. In fact, it was voted one of the best student cities in the world. So wherever you choose to live, you’re bound to have a great time.
But if you’re not sure about where to live, that’s completely normal. London is a massive city, and each part of it feels like an individual town. (It’s also totally normal to get lost when you first move – even Londoners get lost occasionally).
But don’t panic.
We’re here to help. At Student.Studios2Let, we’re all about helping students find the perfect accommodation and settle into London student life. Our team are always on hand to answer any questions you may have and help you find the best student accommodation for you.
But that’s not all we do. We’re also constantly putting together new student guides (like this one) to help you make the most of student life. Here are a few of our most recent guides:
You can view all of our London student guides here.
If you're looking for student accommodation near RCA, explore our studio flats today and find your student accommodation in London today with Student.Studios2Let.
At Student.Studios2Let, we specialise in managing and renting private student accommodation in London. We understand how important it is for students to find affordable, comfortable, and convenient housing, which is why we offer fully-furnished and all-inclusive studio apartments. If you need any extra information or advice on finding private student accommodation in London, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. We’d be more than happy to help you find the perfect place to call home during your studies.
Featured image attribution: Author: Shadowssettle, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
