North London
Hampstead
Making the decision about where to live while you study in London is a big one. In a city as big as London, you’re absolutely spoilt for choice. But making the decision can be tricky, and you want to be sure you’ve made the right one.
Your accommodation will be your home away from home. It’ll be where you’ll pull all-nighters cramming before exams, cooking your meals, hosting movie nights and living during some of the best years of your life.
Most students in London have three accommodation options: university-run halls of residence, private shared housing or private student accommodation. If you’re considering the latter or you’re unsure which one to choose, we’re here to help.
We’ve put together all the key features of private student accommodation in London and what to look for when you’re searching. We’ve broken it down into three main categories: the accommodation, location and the accommodation provider.
Before we dive into what you should look for in private student accommodation, it’s pretty handy to know exactly what it is. Once you’ve got a decent idea of what it is, it’ll help you to explore your accommodation options with confidence.
So what is it?
Put simply, private student accommodation is a student housing option for students of all levels, from undergraduate to PhD students. The accommodation is typically owned and run by private companies like StudentStudios2Let.
While there are a lot of similarities between private accommodation and university-owned residences, they’re not to be confused. University halls of residence, or “halls” as they’re known, are usually the first port of call for first-year students but less popular and available to older students.
London private student accommodation comes in all shapes and sizes. From self-contained studio apartments to shared flats, there’s something for everyone. But not all private accommodation in London is created equally.
That’s why it’s important to know what to look for when you’re searching for your student digs.
Let’s dive in.
While the location and private accommodation provider are undoubtedly important, it’s the accommodation itself that’s most important. It’s the space you’ll call home while you’re studying, so you want to make sure you like it.
When you’re looking for accommodation, there are some key things to consider, like the type of accommodation, its features and facilities and the cost. Let’s dig into your options and what you should keep an eye out for.
As we’ve mentioned, there are different types of private student accommodation available in London, and it;’s good to have an idea of your options. The type of accommodation you choose can have a huge impact on your uni experience.
Here are the main accommodation options:
It’s important to note that while private studio apartments give you more privacy and independence, there will still be other students around in other studios in your building.
Once you’ve got an idea of the type of accommodation you like, it’s a good idea to see what features are available. The features of your room or studio flat can have a big impact on how comfortable you are in your accommodation.
Here are a few things to look out for:
It’s also good to see if there are any policies about what you can and can’t have in your room. Personal touches can really make your space feel like home, but you’ll need to make sure any restrictions first.
While your room or flat will be the place where you spend a lot of your time, it’s always worth checking to see what other facilities are in your building. Different accommodation providers offer a range of facilities that can make your experience a lot better.
When searching for your accommodation, check to see if you have access to:
There are few better places to be a student than London. In fact, it was recently voted the best student city in the world. Thousands of student flock to the city every year to get the London university experience. But much of that experience rests on where you choose to live.
Choosing the perfect location for your student accommodation is about more than just picking a spot that looks nice. It’s about finding a place that fits your lifestyle and, importantly, helps you to smash your studies.
From the proximity to your uni to the transport links and the local amenities, where you choose can live can have a massive impact on your daily life and overall uni experiences.
Here’s what to look out for:
Let’s kick off with one of the most practical factors – how close is your accommodation to your university campus? Now with the world-famous tube and red London buses, you might not think this is all that important. But the closer you are to uni, the less time you’ll spend on stuffy tubes and the more you can spend partying, studying, working and socialising.
Plus, being able to pop home between lectures can be a lifesaver. Whether it’s to grab a book you need or have a quick power now, it’s a game-changer living close to campus.
Say you’re planning to study at University College London (nice choice!), choosing student accommodation in Bloomsbury is a great idea. It’ll mean that you’ll just be a short walk from campus which you’ll appreciate for those early lectures on chilly winter mornings.
Being close to your university is fantastic, but that doesn’t mean you won’t want to explore London. The good news is that London’s got one of the most extensive public transport systems in the world. Beyond the tube and red buses, there are public bike hire services and even a Thames boat service.
When you’re looking at your accommodation options, check to see how close the nearest tube station and bus stop is. Being close to transport links can have a significant impact on your London experience by giving you easy access to:
Beyond being close to uni and being able to get around London easily, it’s also important to check what amenities are in the area. The first things you should check are practical things like:
Once you’ve checked that you’ll have access to the essentials, you can move on to the more interesting local amenities:
Don’t forget to check out the area for activities and amenities that much up with your lifestyle and preferences. For example, if you’re an avid bowler, check if there’s a bowling alley. Or, if you’re an international student, check to see if you can get home comforts anywhere nearby.
If you’ve found where you want to live and it’s got everything you need to have the best uni experience, the last thing to check is the accommodation provider. When it comes to private student accommodation, the company that runs the accommodation plays a massive role in shaping your experience.
Their reputation, the customer service they provide, security measures and contract terms are all important considerations. It’s vital that you research and understand these aspects before signing any paperwork.
Studying at university can be stressful occasionally, especially when you’ve got deadlines or upcoming exams, the last thing you want is more stress from where you’ve chosen to live.
Here’s what you should check out:
Your first port of call should be to check the reputation of the accommodation provider. This is quite a straightforward thing to check, and you can do it in a few ways:
Most students who choose to live in private student accommodation will live there for at least six months. During that time, you’re bound to have interactions with the people that work for your accommodation provider. Because of that, it’s important to check what customer service is like.
Good customer service can make your accommodation feel like a home away from home. Here are a few things to check:
Moving to a new city can be intimidating, and a lot of people naturally have concerns about safety. As cities go, London is quite a safe city, but it is still a city, and it’s a good idea to air on the side of caution. When you’re choosing where to live, you should check to see what security measures the accommodation has.
Here’s a few things to look out for:
It’s always a good idea to ask about security measures when you’re considering where to live.
Last but not least is the contract terms for your accommodation. Like most contracts, the devil is in the details, and it’s important to understand what you’re signing. Getting to grips with your contact will save you from nasty surprises later on.
Here are some things to consider:
If you’re not quite sure about something or it doesn’t feel quite right, it’s a good idea to get someone else to take a look. This can be a family member, or there may be somebody at your university that can help.
So there you have it, all the features to look out for when choosing private student accommodation. Choosing the right student accommodation is about more than finding a place to sleep—it's about finding a place that supports your studying, fits your lifestyle, and makes you feel at home.
By carefully considering the accommodation, location and provider, you can make an informed decision that will make your university experience in London all the more enriching and enjoyable.
This process might seem daunting, but remember — this is an exciting chapter in your life. Take your time, do your research, ask all the questions you need, and trust your instincts.
At StudentStudios2Let, we do everything we can to guarantee students have the best university experience possible. Our private studio flats across London are available for students of all levels and come with the following:
Explore our private student accommodation options in London and find your home away from home. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch with us, and we’ll do everything we can to help.
