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How to Find Student Accommodation in London
Vyara Pancheva
Updated Jan 13, 2023Save
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Planning to study in London? You won’t regret your decision! Universities in London include many of the most prestigious universities in the UK, and the whole world for that matter. Moreover, London is ranked the second best student city in the world, according to the latest edition of the QS Best Student Cities.
Yes, the British capital has it all – from illustrious universities to renowned nightclubs, and from leafy green parks to gleaming skyscrapers. However, international students often struggle to find student accommodation in London. The city has numerous properties to offer, but there are even more people waiting to rent them. Competition is fierce and you need to be prepared, and know where to look in order to find something quickly. Note that London is quite an expensive place to live, and the rent is likely to be much higher than in your home country. Don’t despair; read our guide for some useful tips on how to find student accommodation in London.
Student halls in London
There are two types of student halls in London: those which belong to the university, and those which are owned and managed by private companies.
University student halls
University student halls are cheaper than those within the private sector. The good thing about them is that they are usually in or near the university campus, which means you won’t need to travel far or be late in the morning. It’s very convenient living close to university, with constant access to the facilities it offers. Note that the number of rooms within these halls is less than the number of students enrolled, so if you want to secure a room, you need to apply as soon as possible!
Private student halls
House/flat shares in London
There are lots of websites you can use to search for house or flat shares in London (see the list of useful links below), and you can also opt to use the services of a real estate agency. However, note that those require more documents than going directly through the landlord, and will also charge you extra agency fees.
Think very carefully about what you want, plan accordingly and go to as many viewings as possible. If you are unable to attend viewings yourself, ask a friend or a relative who lives in London to do it for you. This is very important, as often the rooms look nothing like the pictures posted on the internet. Never agree to rent a room without seeing it first!
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Vyara is a journalism graduate from the University of Westminster in London and currently an aspiring writer and blogger. She has produced a couple of video documentaries and has written pieces for several websites. Originally from Bulgaria, she is now living in London and loving it a lot! Rock music, sci-fi movies and travelling are amongst her biggest passions.
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