Finding somewhere to live in London as a student
London has over 40 universities crammed into 32 boroughs. Around 400,000 students live here at any given time, about a quarter of them from outside the UK. That means a lot of people competing for the same rooms every September.
The good news: there are thousands of options. The bad news: the range of prices, locations, and room types can make your head spin if you have never lived here before. This page breaks it down by area, type, and cost.
Where students actually live
Central London (Zone 1)
Bloomsbury, King’s Cross, Farringdon, Aldgate. If you are studying at UCL, King’s College, LSE, SOAS, UAL, or City University, you can walk to lectures. The British Library is around the corner and the West End is close enough for a spontaneous evening out. You will pay for the convenience though — central London is the most expensive part of the city for student accommodation. A lot of first-year students think it is worth it while they are still figuring the city out.
North London (Zones 2-3)
Camden, Islington, Holloway, Kentish Town, Tottenham. More space for less money, and some of London’s most interesting neighbourhoods. Camden has the market and the music. Islington has the restaurants and Angel station, which puts you in central London in minutes. London Met and Middlesex students end up here a lot.
East London (Zones 2-3)
Stratford, Mile End, Bethnal Green, Whitechapel. This part of London has changed a lot since the Olympics. Stratford in particular has become a serious student hub, with Westfield on the doorstep and the Elizabeth line running east-west across the city. Queen Mary, UEL, and Goldsmiths students gravitate here.
West London (Zones 1-2)
South Kensington, Notting Hill, Bayswater, Fulham. Nice postcodes, and you pay accordingly. If you are at Imperial, the Royal College of Art, or the Royal College of Music, this is your patch. The museums, Hyde Park, and Portobello Road are all within walking distance.
South London (Zones 1-2)
Waterloo, Southwark, Vauxhall, Denmark Hill. Surprisingly good value given how central some of these areas are. King’s College (Waterloo and Denmark Hill campuses) and London South Bank are nearby. The South Bank itself, with the National Theatre and Tate Modern and Borough Market, is one of the best stretches of London.
Types of accommodation
Purpose-built student halls (PBSA) are the most common choice for international students and first-years. Modern buildings, en-suite rooms, shared kitchens, all bills included in one weekly price. No dealing with estate agents or splitting a gas bill five ways. The trade-off is that they can feel a bit institutional, and you do not get to choose your flatmates.
University halls are similar but run by the university directly. Usually cheaper, and most London universities guarantee a place for first-years. Apply through your uni, not through us.
Private rentals (shared houses or flats from a landlord) tend to be cheaper per room but bills are not included, you will likely need a UK guarantor, and quality varies wildly. Most students switch to private rentals in second or third year once they have friends to share with.
Studio rooms combine your bed, a small kitchenette (typically a hob, microwave, and mini-fridge), and a private bathroom in one room. You do not share a kitchen with other students. They are the most expensive room type in most halls, but popular with postgrads and people who want to cook on their own schedule.
Homestay is another option worth considering, especially if you are new to the UK. You live with a British host family, get a private room, and usually meals are included. It is often more affordable than a student hall, and you get daily English practice and someone who knows the city. Our sister company London Homestays has been placing students with host families across London since 2006.
What is included in a student room?
A typical purpose-built student room comes furnished: a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, and some shelving. En-suite rooms have a private shower and toilet. Shared bathroom rooms are cheaper and you split facilities with a handful of others on your floor.
Studio rooms combine your bed, a small kitchenette (typically a hob, microwave, and mini-fridge), and a private bathroom in one room. You do not share a kitchen with other students.
In standard halls (non-studio), kitchens are shared, usually one per five to eight students. They come equipped with a cooker, fridge-freezer, and basic bits.
Laundry is usually on-site, coin-operated or app-based, around £2-4 a wash. Most buildings have some kind of common area, a study room, and CCTV with secure entry.
You need to bring your own bedding, towels, and kitchen utensils, or buy them when you arrive. Most halls sell a bedding pack on move-in day if you do not want to shop on day one.
What does it cost?
Prices vary a lot depending on the area, room type, and contract length. A shared-bathroom room in Zone 3 costs considerably less than an en-suite studio in Zone 1. Short-stay rates are higher per week than academic-year contracts.
Rather than quoting ranges that might be out of date by the time you read this, we would rather give you an accurate, personalised quote. Tell us your budget and preferences and we will show you what is available in your price range.
As a rough guide: living costs outside of accommodation (food, transport, phone, social) tend to run £150-200 a week in London on top of your rent. The UKVI maintenance requirement for a London student visa is currently £1,334 per month.
Things people wish they had known
Start looking in February or March. By June the best rooms are taken, and by August you are scrambling.
Check the commute, not just the postcode. A room 20 minutes away by Tube often beats a room 5 minutes from campus at twice the price. Use the TfL Journey Planner to check actual travel times.
Get a Student Oyster card. It gives you 30% off Travelcards and bus passes. Apply through your university once you have enrolled.
Compare total costs, not headline rents. A room with bills included is often the same price as a cheaper private room once you add utilities.
If you cannot visit in person, ask for a video tour. Photos lie. Rooms look bigger in pictures than they are, and you cannot tell how noisy the road outside is from a wide-angle lens.
Read the contract before you sign. Check the notice period, the deposit terms, and what happens if your plans change. Some contracts let you leave early with a penalty; others hold you for the full term regardless.
Getting around London
You do not need to live next to your campus. Most student accommodation in London is 15-30 minutes from the nearest university by public transport.
The Tube and Overground cover most of the city. Buses fill the gaps at £1.75 a journey (capped at £4.95 a day). The Elizabeth line is useful for east-west trips, connecting Stratford, Liverpool Street, and Paddington. A lot of students cycle, especially in flat parts of east and central London. Santander bikes cost £1.65 a ride.
Get in touch
We have been helping students find places to live in London since 2012, and we do not charge you for it. If you are looking for a homestay with a British family instead of a student hall, our sister company London Homestays can help with that.
Tell us your university, your course dates, and roughly what you can afford, and we will put together a shortlist. Send us an enquiry, browse London residences, or get in touch if you just have questions.
