Student Accommodation London: Areas, Costs & Guide (2026)

Quick links:

• Where to live? Diving into London’s best student neighbourhoods
• Average rent costs
• Average student accommodation rent by area in London
• Private student housing vs. Purpose-built halls: Which is right for you?
• House hunting 101: A checklist for group shares
• Solving the bill headache
• Student bills packages
• London student life?

London is consistently ranked as one of the top cities in the world to study, so it’s no wonder that over 120,000 students head to the capital every year. 

Home to over 40 higher education institutions, including universities and colleges, so there are tons of choices when it comes to student living and student accommodation. This guide covers the main options for student housing, no matter where you end up studying. There’s a ton of overlap for many of the hotspots.

London isn’t the cheapest place to study (based on rent and food costs) 😬 but thousands of students are happy to take higher costs for London life. Whether you want the world-class food, amazing nightlife or want to geek out on art, culture, and historical sites, you've got so many options.  Spending a few years in the capital city is the opportunity of a lifetime and can be a huge help to your future career too.

Considering student life in London or already living in the capital and on the hunt for astudent house? Keep reading to learn more about the best London student areas, rental costs, and how to manage your bills.

Studying elsewhere or need general advice? Read ourstudent moving guide or our guides to other cities. Here’s everything you’ll need to know about student accommodation in London… 

Where to live? Diving into London’s best student neighbourhoods 📍

London is the capital of England and one of the most diverse cities in the world. It’s also huge, with student hotspots to discover across Greater London no matter where you end up studying. They're usually clustered near transport links, as well as close to uni.

From busy areas closer to the city to quieter outer zones with greenery, parks and canal walks, all linked by London’s famous Tube, there’s something to suit your budget and lifestyle.

Here are some of the most popular areas for students in London:

Camden - A creative hotspot 🧑‍🎤

• Close to UCL, SOAS, University of Westminster, and Central Saint Martins
• Tube links via Camden Town and Chalk Farm
• Lively area known for markets, music venues, and nightlife
• Great choice if you want to be near central London with plenty going on
• Higher rent than the outer zones

Bethnal Green📍

• Easy access to Queen Mary University of London and London Metropolitan University
• Well connected via the Central Line and Overground
• More affordable than central London without feeling ‘out of the way.’
• Great food scene, local markets, and nearby green spaces like Victoria Park
• Popular with students looking for value without moving too far out

Finsbury Park 🌳

• Convenient for London Metropolitan University, UCL, and City, University of London
• One of London’s best transport hubs with Victoria, Piccadilly, and National Rail services
• More affordable than Zone 1, with plenty of shared student housing
• Great green spaces
• Good balance of budget, space, and connectivity

Whitechapel 🗺️

• Walking distance or short commute to Queen Mary University of London
• Excellent transport links via the Elizabeth Line, District Line, and Overground
• Mix of purpose-built student accommodation and shared housing
• Close to the City, making it ideal for medical, law, and business students

Shepherd’s Bush 🚝

• Good transport links to the University of West London, Imperial College London, and the University of Westminster
• Covered by the Central Line, Overground, and multiple bus routes
• Generally more affordable than central west London

Greenwich 🏞️

• Home to the University of Greenwich and Trinity Laban Conservatoire
• Riverside setting with plenty of green space and historic surroundings
• DLR, Overground, and rail connections into central London
• More relaxed pace than inner London, with a strong, tight-knit student community

Stratford 👈

• Close to University College London (UCL East) and the University of East London
  One of London’s best-connected areas with Underground, Overground, DLR, and rail services
• Home to Westfield Stratford City for shopping and entertainment
• Lots of modern purpose-built student accommodation
• Popular with students who want fast travel links and newer housing

It really comes down to where you’re studying and what matters to you. If you’re all about nights out andit’s in your budget, areas like Camden or Shepherd’s Bush are popular choices. If you’re looking for something more affordable and laid-back, Bethnal Green, Finsbury Park, and Greenwich tend to offer better value for students.

Wherever you end up, London’s transport network makes it easy to get around. With the Tube, Overground, buses, and cycle routes covering the city, you’re rarely far from campus or the city centre.

Average rent costs 💷

Now that you have an idea of each area, here’s a guide to how much each costs on average.

Types of student housing in London

(Average rent costs as of December 2025)

Bills Included vs. Rent-Only? 👀

If you need a deep dive into the utilities situation, check out our guide to student bills in London.

Generally speaking, if you choose student halls or purpose-built apartments, you usually get bills included. In a student house, you typically need to sort out bills yourself, which is also the most cost-effective option. 

Need help sorting bills yourself? Set up a bills package with Fused, put your bills into one payment and split the cost with your housemates. 

Average student accommodation rent by area in London 🏘️

Here’s what you can expect to pay for housing in each area:

(Average rent costs as of December 2025)

Private student housing vs. Purpose-built halls: Which is right for you? 🤔

The student accommodation you choose depends on your lifestyle and budget. 

For first-year students, halls are great ‘cause they make it easy to meet new people, and can be a good transition if you’re living away from home for the first time. It also means having one payment cover rent and bills, which is handy. 

But for the second year and beyond, most students move in with mates.

Here’s a quick look at the two kinds of student accommodation in London, and how they stack up:

👉 Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)

Student halls are a popular choice for first-year students and anyone looking for a straightforward transition to London life. Most PBSAs include bills, on-site security, and en-suite rooms, so there’s not much to organise when you get there. 

London has a wide range of student halls across the city, particularly in areas like Camden, Stratford, Whitechapel, Greenwich, and other well-connected Zones 1–3. Many buildings also have gyms, study areas, and communal spaces, which make meeting people and settling in much easier.

The downside? Rules. Guest policies can be pretty strict, so if you’re asking, “Can my boyfriend, girlfriend, or friends stay over?” The answer is usually yes, but only within set limits. Halls are convenient and social, but they don’t always feel like a proper home.

Take a look at our uni packing guide so you don’t forget anything!

👉 Student housing

Most students are keen to get the proper student house experience in their second year and beyond. Making a home with your mates, grabbing food, and getting ready together for a night out in London is a rite of passage for thousands of students, so it’s worth doing a bit of planning.   

You’ve already seen some of the most popular student housing areas across London, including Camden, Bethnal Green, Finsbury Park, Greenwich, and Stratford. Where you end up depends on where you study, your budget, and what kind of lifestyle you and your housemates are looking for.

Depending on the landlord, you might get abills included deal, but the standard setup is rent only. Then yousort your own bills, either by yourself or with abills package.

House hunting 101: A checklist for group shares ✅

1. Start the search early
   London is a big city, but the competition for student housing is fierce. Start looking in November, or at least before January, for the next academic year. 
   
   
2. Check your guarantor
   A guarantor is someone who legally agrees to pay the rent if you can’t. For most students, this is a parent or guardian. Most student landlords ask for a guarantor, so make sure you let them know before you sign on the dotted line.
   
   
3. Budget for the deposit
   Expect to pay a deposit of around five weeks’ rent, sometimes more. The landlord puts this in a government-approved deposit protection scheme, and it’ll be returned at the end of your tenancy (as long as there’s no damage or unpaid rent). Check out our guide to getting your deposit back so you don’t lose out at the end of your tenancy. 
   
   
4. Furnished or unfurnished?
   Most London student houses are furnished, so at least you won’t need to worry about getting a bed or desk on the Tube! Check out our list ofwhat to pack for unifor some helpful reminders.
   
   
5. Do an inventory check on move-in day
   On moving day, snap photos of everything, especially any existing damage. Keep this as evidence in case there are any disputes at the end of your tenancy. 

Solving the bill headache 💆‍♀️

Found your London student house? Exciting! But before you move in, you’ll need to sort your bills. 

Students in London need to budget for: 

• Energy: Gas and electricity
• Water and sewerage
• Broadband
• TV Licence

Full-timestudents don’t have to pay council tax,but you’ll need to let your local council know you're exempt. Each borough handles exemptions separately, so you’ll need to find out which council you’re in.

Average student bills in London 💳

Here’s a quick overview ofaverage bills for studentsin rent-only student houses in London:

Total bills per person per month (split between four housemates): £75

Read our guide to learn more about student bills in London.

Student bills packages 📦

Sorting your own bills and figuring out how to pay themdoesn’t have to be a hassle. Instead of making separate accounts and chasing housemates, you can bundle all your bills into one monthly payment with Fused. They’ll even split the cost with your housemates so everybody pays their share from their own account. 

Choose superfast broadband deals from suppliers including Virgin Media, BT and Sky, so there’s no compromising on decent broadband for convenience.

Stay warm and avoid arguments about the heating in the winter months withunlimited energy.

London student life?  ☕

London is an incredible city to be a student in. Whether you’re moving into halls for first year, house hunting with mates in Camden or Stratford, or looking for something in Zones 1–2, planning ahead makes all the difference.

Start your search early,set a realistic budget, and make sure all your mates understand how much it’ll cost, especially when it comes to bills.

Once you’ve found the right place, sorting your bills doesn’t have to be another headache. 

With Fused bills package, energy, water, broadband, and a TV licence into one simple monthly payment, split evenly between housemates. That means less admin, fewer housemate arguments, and more time to live it up in the city.