If living in the heart of the city is on your list of must-haves for London student accommodation, then Host King’s Cross is worth a look. Conveniently located in the popular suburb of King’s Cross, this contemporary student accommodation has stylish rooms, a spacious lounge area and even an indoor gym. One of the best parts about London is you’re only ever a short tube ride away from campus, but with Host King’s Cross, you’re also only a 30-minute walk to either University College London (UCL) or the London Metropolitan University. And, of course, taking the bus or tube will make your journey even shorter.
There are lots of options for university accommodation in London, but if you want to be a little out of the city and in a super Instagramable accommodation, then Wood Green Hall might be for you. Situated in North London, it’s just over half an hour to the city centre by tube. Each room has contemporary facilities as well as large communal areas and a welcoming student community. North London is also known for amazing charity shops and came in second on our UK’s best charity shop destinations.
If you’re looking for a communal experience with your student accommodation in London, check out The Lyra in North Acton. Located right next to the North Acton tube station, these modern student studios in London are located around a 30-minute tube ride to Imperial College London and the University of West London.
For London student apartments in the east, check out The Valentine in Ilford. Right next to Gants Hill tube station is this new, contemporary accommodation with dedicated private and group study rooms, a well-equipped gym, a TV and movie room, multi-games station and lots of outdoor space. It’s a little further out than other London student halls, but is only a 30-minute tube right into the heart of the city.
Home to some of the most prestigious universities in the UK, London’s most notable higher education establishments include Imperial College London , University of London, King’s College, London School of Economics and Political Science, and University College London, with lots of different types of private accommodation for students in London.
Foodies can sample the delicious snacks from famed markets such as Borough and Broadway Market, or hit up one of the amazing coffee shops that can be found on almost every corner. Check out our Drunk Food Index for some amazing late-night London eats.
For history lovers, London plays host to some of the most prestigious museums and galleries in the world, including the iconic Natural History Museum, Tate Modern, The V&A, as well as the Design Museum (all of which are free and if not, offer a cheeky student discount). And if all that history builds up your thirst, why not stop into one of London’s historic pubs? Some of them date back all the way to the 1600s!
If adventure is more your style, London holds a treasure trove of areas to explore. Some popular, out-of-the-box ideas for when you need to step away from your London student apartments include visiting some of London’s iconic cemeteries (Highgate and Kensal Green are two of our favourites) or going for an open-water swim at London’s many parks or lidos.
Check out our blog for 35 unusual places to visit in London for free, including gruesome museums, a farm and even a monster shop!
The size of London can sometimes feel intimidating, but lucky for you it has some of the most reliable transit options in the country. Whether it’s the Tube, DLR, coach links, or iconic red bus, Transport For London (or TfL as it’s known to the locals), always has your back.
We recommend downloading the TfL Go App on your phone, that way you’ve got maps and live updates in your pocket.
By Tube
Colour-coded to perfection, the Tube is one of the fastest ways to move around from your student accommodation in London to where you need to be, just find your line and follow it to your destination. With 272 stations, you’ll likely find a stop close to where you want to go.
By Bus
The iconic red buses are a favourite tourist attraction, but they’re also an incredibly useful way to get you where you need to be, especially after the last Tube has gone, you can rely on the much-loved night bus to get you back to your student dorms in London.
By Bike
Whether you’ve got your own bike or fancy jumping on one of the Santander Cycles scattered around the city, getting around by cycling is one of the easiest forms of transport in London. With almost 180,000 residents using cycling as their prime mode of transport each year, the city is used to watching out for people on bikes. TfL also has some amazing maps and resources to help you best navigate the bike paths and routes.
By Train or Coach
We love London, but we all need to get out of the city now and then. Unsurprisingly, London is one of the main transit links to get to other areas of the country. With ten major train stations taking you as far as Scotland or down to Exeter to enjoy Devon’s Blue Flag beaches,you’ll be able to find your way out of the city easily. And for those areas without train links, coach companies like National Express or Megabus are cheap and reliable ways to get to where you want to be.
Shoreditch
Known as one of the “coolest” suburbs in London, Shoreditch is a cultural melting pot of street art, traditional pubs, amazing street food, and live events and is close to some great student accommodation in London.
On everyone’s must-visit list are Brick Lane, Dinerama, and Boxpark – some of London’s best markets/retail parks. Here you’ll find a surprising mix of food stalls and restaurants, retail vendors, and one-of-a-kind vintage wear. Or if live music is your jam, check out the Village Underground for your next memorable gig.
Brixton
Moving south of the river is Brixton, only a short 20-minute tube ride from the city centre. With a focus on local, independent shops, bars, and restaurants, this area brings in folks from all walks of life to share in its friendly and local atmosphere.
Head on down to Brixton Village any day of the week for some amazing African or Caribbean food, or catch your favourite band at the iconic O2 Academy Brixton on the high street. Brixton is also home to Pop Brixton, a creative hub of local food, events, and music. It’s not out of place to see people working or studying during the day, so if revising with some atmosphere works for you, this place has you covered.
Richmond
For those of you wanting a little less city hustle and don’t mind a longer commute, Richmond is a great area for you. With lots of green space (shout out to Richmond Park and its amazing wildlife conservation) and Twickenham Stadium just around the corner, Richmond is a great place to live a little further afield, while still being close to the amazing nightlife of southwest London, with easy transport links into the city centre and some welcoming London student halls.
The cost of student accommodations in London range from approximately £160 per week to £600 per week, depending on the area and the accommodation type and whether or not the property comes furnished.
Most university accommodation in London will start advertising a few months before the term begins, so start your search from the end of July onwards. However, if you’re looking for accommodation in London for international students or for your first-year accommodation, we suggest looking around January.
Yes, there are places that will accept applications from couples! If you’re moving to London with your partner, you can look for dual-occupancy student accommodation, so long as at least one of you is a student. Certain studios and flats are dual-occupancy and if you’re not sure, the best way to find out is to ask.
Most tenancy agreements run between 42 and 51 weeks, meaning you’ll be able to keep your student accommodation in London for the whole year. Some London student halls will allow you a longer or shorter tenancy agreement if you ask for it, but the agreements are designed to suit the typical student.
Some student accommodations in London will require a deposit (which may start out as a reservation fee) but not all – it depends on which accommodation you choose. If you are asked for a deposit, it will be capped at five weeks’ rent. Check out our blog post to see how to ensure you get your deposit back at the end of the tenancy.
London is a fantastic place to be a student. Between its eighteen universities and a student population of around 400,000, the city is well-equipped for student life. As well as unbeatable nightlife, there are seemingly endless cafés and restaurants featuring dishes from all over the world. There are also excellent transport links for travel to other parts of London and within the UK.
Nothing gets us at MyStudentHalls.com more excited than the first hint of springtime in London, and the promise of longer, warmer days! London has been voted one of the most beautiful cities in the world in spring. It’s no wonder that, at the first sight of sunshine, Londoners are out taking full advantage of the…
Before you decide where you want to live as a student in London, you’ll want to know what you can get up to in and around the city. There are plenty of unusual places to visit in London for free, whether you’re looking for green spaces, culturally-significant spots or just free things to do in…
