North London
Hampstead
So you’ve finally got your results after a seemingly endless wait, and you’re going to a London university. Nicely done. But, before you can start studying and exploring the world’s best student city, you need to find somewhere to live. This is where the age-old battle of university halls vs private student accommodation in London comes in. Whether you’ve already been to university and have some ideas about student accommodation, or it’s your first time studying in London, it’s worth noting that there are a few differences between the two.
That’s why we've put together this complete guide to help you get the best student accommodation in London. It’ll take you through everything you need to know to make the best decision and have an incredible university experience.
Choosing between private student accommodation and university halls is a big decision that shouldn't be taken lightly.
Going to university is a big life moment. For many students, it’s their first time living away from home and enjoying the freedoms of adult life (less excitingly, it’s also the first time we’re responsible for cooking and cleaning, too). And for others, it’s a return back to student life as a fully-fledged adult.,
Starting a university course is exhilarating, you’re studying a subject you’re passionate about in a new place, and it can be one of the best experiences. But a lot of your experience at university comes down to where you choose to live, and there are three main options: university halls, private student accommodation and house shares.
As a first-year or a postgraduate student, a house share can be challenging to find and pretty risky as you might not know the area or who you will be living with. For that reason, most students that are new to a city choose to live in university halls or private student accommodation.
Most university students will live in university halls in their first year at uni. Halls of residences are usually owned by the university and relatively close to campus. Most of the rooms have a single bed, desk and wardrobe. En-suites are sometimes available, but some halls have shared bathrooms.
University halls may be the most common choice amongst first-year students, but private student accommodation is becoming more and more popular. It’s also the accommodation of choice for many post-grad students. Not only is private accommodation purpose-built with facilities, but each room almost always has an ensuite. You can choose an ensuite room in a shared flat or a studio apartment complete with a kitchen, living area and bathroom.
Cost, accommodation features, location and social life are all important factors to consider.
On the face of it, university halls and private student accommodation don’t seem all that different. But, there are some subtle differences that can massively affect your university experience. We’ve split up the differences into four rounds to give you the best chance of having an incredible university experience.
We’re not going to beat around the bush; rental costs in London can be pretty high. And finding affordable student accommodation in London can be challenging. While you might have dreams of renting a penthouse with views of the Shard or the Houses of Parliament, they’re usually not quite within a student budget. And your bank balance is likely to be the most significant factor in your decision.
University halls can be cheaper than private accommodation – but not always. For example, if you’ve got your place on a course at Imperial College, then the cost for university halls can range from £91 per week for a single room to £316 for an ensuite. The price for private student accommodation close to Imperial College ranges from £250 to £350 per week for a studio flat.
University halls will usually include utility bills like gas, electricity and internet, so you won’t need to budget separately for those. Private accommodation doesn’t normally include bills in the price but some do so be sure to check before signing any contracts.
One consideration you should make is when you will need to pay rent. Universities tend to charge by the term to coincide with student loan payments, whereas private accommodation will usually be paid monthly.
The final cost consideration is the length of your contract. As university halls are specifically for students, contract lengths are usually 40 weeks long (September to June). Private student accommodation usually offers a year-long contract.
While the shorter contract may make sense, it often means that you will need to move your possessions home, store them or move into a new property for the summer months. The longer contract also allows you to explore London in the summer and potentially get a job or internship at one of London’s many thriving businesses.
You’ve got a lot of options when it comes to accommodation. Beyond choosing between university halls vs private student accommodation, you’ll need to decide what kind of room you’d like. Most universities offer students single rooms either as en suites or shared bathrooms within the flats.
Most students prefer to have their own bathroom for privacy, but if you’re not bothered by sharing, you might save some money by choosing a shared bathroom. Some universities keep the bathrooms supplied with toilet rolls so you can save a few pounds on toiletries too.
In the excitement of moving to university, the prospect of sharing a toilet may not seem that big of a deal, but it’s worth bearing in mind that you won’t know who you’re sharing with and — let’s be honest — how clean and considerate they are.
The last issue is about timing. If you’re getting ready for a lecture in a hurry, it’s really going to throw your day off if somebody is taking a 45-minute shower and singing their heart out to some power ballads.
If you’re moving from home, then university halls might be an easier transition as halls of residence have cleaners. It’s worth checking your responsibilities before assuming, though, as some halls will charge you for cleaning, which can be expensive.
If you’re looking for a more real-world, independent experience, a private studio flat might be the option for you. Whichever you choose, you’ll be responsible for keeping your space clean and tidy.
As university halls are run by universities, in most places in London, they tend to be closer to campus. This means that if you’ve got a 9am lecture, you’ll be able to roll out of bed five minutes before. Or, if you’re pulling an all-nighter in the library, you’ll be able to get back to your room in no time.
But while most university halls are close to the university, they’re not always in the best location for exploring London.
Generally, private student accommodation in London is less local to university campuses. As they are not associated with a specific university and are privately owned, they tend to be in locations that are close to more than one campus. For example, private student accommodation in Bloomsbury is close to University College London, SOAS and Birkbeck. But private student accommodation in London tends to be in central locations and near transport links. It’s ideal if you want to explore the city and the rest of the country.
Ultimately it comes down to your preference. If you’d like to be close to your university, a hall of residence might be your best bet. But remember, it’s not always the case as some university halls aren’t close to campus.
One of the best things about university is the chance to meet new people and try new things. London is full of stuff for students to do. Whether it’s clubs, museums, stage shows, you name it…there’s something for everyone in London.
And your choice of accommodation determines who you’ll be spending a lot of your time with. University halls are exclusively for students from the associated university. This means you’ll be living with your peers and potentially your coursemates. Often, when you apply, you’ll be able to request to live in more social or quiet halls. However, you’re not guaranteed to get the halls you want as there are limited spaces.
Private accommodation is not linked to a specific university, which means you’ll live with students from different universities. With private halls, you have the option of living in a shared flat with other students or picking a studio flat. Studio flats are a popular choice for older students and those that are less social. University halls sometimes offer studios, but often, their availability is limited.
Ultimately, the decision between university halls and private student accommodation in London comes down to you.
By this point, you should have a pretty good idea of the differences between university halls and private student accommodation.
Unfortunately, we can’t tell you which one is right for you. Just like finding the perfect course, finding the right student accommodation takes time, so it’s worth working out exactly what you want from your university accommodation.
A private studio apartment might be suitable if you want a quieter experience to focus on your studies. If you’re looking for a more social experience, university halls or a shared private student flat might be more up your alley.
Ultimately though, you’ll need to make the decision, and if you can, make it quick. University halls and private accommodation are incredibly popular, and good accommodation is snapped up early.
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 for students (including bills & Wifi). If you need any extra information or advice on finding affordable private student accommodation in London, please get in touch. We’ll be glad to help.
