Cheap Student Accommodation London - Complete Guide

Top 10 Cheap London Student Accommodation

London has 65+ properties with 100+ buildings offering private accommodation facilities to international students. The average rental cost of these properties usually ranges between £111 and £422.50 per week. This amount varies based on room type, location and proximity to the city centre. Below is a list of the top 10 cheap student accommodation in London per month and key facilities offered by these properties.

1. Scape Mile End

Scape Mile End is one of the cheap student accommodation East London, located within the bustling area of the East End of London. Prices for weekly rentals start from around £299 per week for completely furnished studio apartments and flats with shared facilities. One distinguishing feature of Scape Mile End is the presence of strong social activities programs as well as modern study facilities, a gym, shared kitchens, fast internet, security around the clock, laundry facilities, and secure bike storage.

2. Skylark Point

Skylark Point offers student accommodation on a budget in East London, starting with a weekly rent of £255. It is located in Poplar and provides good connectivity to universities in London. What makes it stand out from the rest is the great roof terrace, which offers you wonderful views of the city. Students from abroad will get furnished rooms, where their bills are covered, as well as free Wi-Fi.

3. Stratford One

Stratford One is an affordable housing option, which is positioned near the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Its location near Stratford transport interchange and Westfield Stratford City sets this property apart from others. Some of the accommodation amenities provided by the property include private bedroom or studio rooms, all-inclusive bills, fast internet, a study room, security access, bike storage, and international student accommodation.

4. Scape Wembley

Scape Wembley provides affordable accommodation for students in North West London at just £285 per week. The unique feature of this place is the wellness-based lifestyle that comes with fitness facilities and regular events for its residents. The features that make it attractive to international students include furniture, study rooms, kitchen facilities, high-speed Internet, all utilities included, laundry, secure entry, 24/7 support and green outdoor areas.

5. Ark Wembley

The Ark Wembley is a place for students to have their accommodation in style at economical rates, with a weekly rent of £270. It has a sky lounge on its rooftop, which offers breathtaking views of the famous Wembley Stadium that attracts many students. This place has fully furnished studios and En-suite rooms, which come with utilities and broadband internet, study areas, lounges, a gym and security round the clock.

6. McMillan Student Village

Ideally located close to Whitechapel and many well-known universities in London, McMillan Student Village provides one of the most pocket-friendly housing options in the town at a very affordable price range of £245 per week. What makes this flat unique is the beautiful garden courtyard, which makes it perfect for studying in a serene environment. All facilities are provided to students, from a fully furnished room to high-speed internet, among others.

7. Vita Student Lewisham Exchange

The Vita Student Lewisham Exchange offers luxurious rooms at reasonable rates that cost around £329 per week. The most important feature is that residents can get free breakfast on working days, along with community activities meant to enhance the wellbeing of the students. International students get luxurious studios, high-speed internet, dedicated workspace, a gym, cleaning, security and 24/7 support.

8. Sundial Court

Sundial Court offers cheap student accommodation central London with facilities for students at a weekly price ranging from £239. The key benefit of choosing Sundial Court is its central location in proximity to both Islington and Finsbury Park. Residents can enjoy key services, such as private rooms with an En-suite bathroom, free utilities, internet access, common kitchen and dining rooms and separate study space.

9. Canvas Walthamstow

Canvas Walthamstow provides contemporary student accommodation at economical rents, with costs ranging from around £289 per week. The unique factor in this building is its contemporary workspace designed for learning purposes. There are studios and shared flats available, and all the facilities, including Wi-Fi, gym, movie lounge, bike sheds, and 24/7 security, ensure students have all vital amenities.

10. The Valentine

The Valentine is a budget-friendly option for students who want to live comfortably and affordably, with prices starting from around £265 per week. The distinct factor about this housing is the big socialising area, which fosters interaction between the international residents. Facilities include fully furnished rooms, high-speed internet, utility charges included in the rent, study spaces, kitchen access, laundry facilities, keycard entry, bike storage and assistance provided on campus.

Areas to Find Affordable Accommodation in London

Location is the biggest determinant that is in your control regarding the cost aspect. On average, prices drop as one moves away from Zone 1 – although the transport network in London enables one to have a commute of about 20-30 minutes quite often. Below are the top seven locations where you can find cheap student accommodations.

1. Stratford (East London, Zone 3)

Stratford remains the best choice of location for students attending UCL East, University of East London, and Loughborough University London. Moreover, it offers great transport links, such as the Jubilee line, Central line, DLR, and the Elizabeth line, as well as Westfield Stratford City. To find long-term and cheap short-term student accommodation London, you can seek the following options:

• Stratford One – En-suite rooms and studios in proximity to the train station and shopping area.
• Skylark Point – A short DLR ride from Poplar and budget-friendly housing, which comes with all facilities, such as a gym, study space and free internet.

2. Mile End (East London, Zone 2)

Mile End is the primary access point to Queen Mary University of London, making it highly popular among QMUL students who wish to walk to their classrooms.

• Scape Mile End– Accommodation on campus offering 42 and 51-week leases with all-inclusive facilities.
• McMillan Student Village– Traditional accommodation option that is inexpensive and conveniently situated nearby in Whitechapel.

3. Wembley (North-West London, Zone 4)

This area is served by the Wembley Park and Wembley Central train stations, offering some of the cheapest purpose-built accommodation in the city with good access to central London via the Jubilee, Metropolitan, and Bakerloo lines.

• Scape Wembley– Loved by the students of Westminster, Middlesex, and Brunel Universities.
• Ark Wembley– Modern studios and flats that can be rented at a lower cost per week compared to those available in Zones 1- 2.

4. Greenwich (South-East London, Zone 2-3)

A tranquil, historical location in London that has the University of Greenwich and is close to Goldsmiths and Trinity Laban. Here are a few cheap student accommodation in Greenwich London that offers the best facilities and a safe environment.

• Vita Student Lewisham Exchange– A short distance away by DLR from Greenwich with studio spaces available at much cheaper rates than in other parts of town.
• McMillan Student Village – It is located on the edge of Greenwich and operated by Campus Living Villages. Students living here can easily access the University of Greenwich by taking a 15-minute walk.

5. Croydon (South London, Zone 5)

Oftentimes overlooked, Croydon ranks as one of the least expensive boroughs in all of London while offering fast rail access to central London in only 15- 20 minutes of travel time (from London Bridge or Victoria).

• The Quarters Croydon – Situated on Wellesley Road, this student accommodation is known for its modern studios, which come with in-suite kitchens.
• Number 27 – This accommodation is situated opposite East Croydon Station, offering affordable and high-quality apartments.

6. Tooting (South London, Zone 3)

It is an energetic foodie district close to St George’s, University of London, with very good connectivity via the Northern Line from/to central London. The following student accommodation options are available in this locality:

• Chapter Student Living – It offers an extensive range of student and professional house shares, often priced well below the PBSA Zone 1-2 properties.
• AXO Student Living – It operates six private accommodation properties for students at low rent prices across London, one of which is located in Tooting.

7. Finsbury Park / Holloway (North London, Zone 2-3)

It is a highly connected neighborhood popular among students of UCL, City St George's, University of London, and London Metropolitan University. Here are the cheap student housing facilities in this area:

• Sundial Court- An affordable PBSA option in the nearby area designed especially for City students.
• iQ Will Wyatt Court- An affordable PBSA option in the nearby area that includes utilities costs in the price.

Cheap Student Accommodation near Top London Universities

One of the biggest challenges that international scholars face after coming to London is finding accommodation that suits their budget. Hence, to solve this problem, here are a few cheap student accommodation in London for international students that can allow them to balance their living expenses.

1. University College London

Affordable housing options near University College London can be found by considering proximity to the UCL campus in relation to one’s budget, since accommodation prices start at around £179 to £200 per week. The most economical options that are available to students are listed below:

• UCL London Plan Affordable Rooms
• New Hall UCL
• Intercollegiate Halls

2. King's College London (KCL)

The process of looking for proper housing for students around King’s College London (KCL) will entail the search for Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), both off and on campus. Accommodation around the Strand Campus costs from £199 to £239 per week. The vast majority of accommodation is slightly further away, namely :

• YourTRIBE Deptford
• Angel Lane
• Yugo The Curve

3. Imperial College London

It becomes very difficult to find cheap student accommodation in the area of South Kensington owing to its high-profile location. However, there is no dearth of such cheap housing in the form of university-related facilities and dedicated student accommodations. A few common housing options for students near Imperial College London are:

• Beit Hall
• Eastside Halls of Residence
• Kemp Porter Buildings

4. Queen Mary University of London

Students can find a range of student accommodation near Queen Mary University of London, which offers all-inclusive amenities. From shared houses to En-suite rooms, below are a few options to find the best housing facilities:

• Flora Building
• Aspire Point
• United Students – Pacific Court

5. Goldsmiths, University of London

The best value for money accommodation options provided by Goldsmiths’ University for students are available at a weekly price starting from £183. If you want to look for PBSAs in New Cross, then the cheapest ones would be from £220 to £245 per week. That includes:

• Loring Hall
• Dean House
• AXO New Cross

6. University of Westminster

Affordable accommodation options available near the University of Westminster include university-owned student dorms outside the campus premises or cheap hostels and rented accommodation. Private dorms located in Zone 1 locations offering inexpensive rooms are:

• Alexander Fleming Hall
• YHA London Central Hostel
• Astor Oxford Street

7. University of East London

The cheapest way to live near UEL is by staying at the officially run UEL On-Campus Halls, starting from an affordable rate of £189 a week that includes everything. Living outside campus will be the most affordable when sharing a private house in East London offered by:

• Prestige Student Living – The Valentine
• Coopers Court
• Ark Canning Town

Final Thoughts

To sum up, cheap student accommodation London does not have to come at the expense of safety or quality. Instead, it should be approached intelligently. Those students who know how to find the best deals tend to start their search early, look beyond just one or two areas away from central London, and consider all of the costs, rather than only looking at weekly rent. Moreover, they seek assistance from reliable accommodation providers, such as Graddinghomes. London will always be more expensive to study in than other regions of the UK, but with the correct choice of area and accommodation, it is possible to cut the overall cost.

FAQs

1. What is the cheapest type of student accommodation in London?

The most cost-effective options are private houses and shared apartments, especially from the second year onwards, when you can share the cost of the rent among several people living together.

2. When should students start looking for accommodation in London?

Around six months before you start attending, but at the latest during January to March for a September start. The most economical accommodations near large colleges are the first to be booked.

3. Which areas of London have the cheapest student accommodation?

Outer zone areas such as Stratford, Wembley, Croydon, Tooting, Greenwich, and Finsbury Park usually offer cheaper rents than inner area zones like Bloomsbury, South Kensington, and Holborn.

4. Do I need a UK guarantor for cheap student accommodation in London?

It is rare for PBSAs to demand a guarantor residing in the UK. Look for an international guarantor service or pay rent upfront to secure accommodation without a guarantor.

5. Is it safe to book cheap student accommodation without viewing it first in London?

Yes. Only when you are using a legitimate service provider or the list of property owners approved by the college. If you are going with private options, you have to view the room first to ensure your safety.