24 February 2023
London is one of the most vibrant cities in the world. It is considered the cultural capital of the country and is an amazing place to study for students around the world. It also offers a home to people looking for student accommodation in London.
You can experience a thriving community, diverse culture, exciting nightlife, and outstanding educational opportunities in London.
Even though the cost of living in London for an international student could seem a little expensive, there are a lot of different places that offer student discounts. Students can avail of a lower price for theatre tickets, entertainment tickets, transportation, clothing, and eatables.
In this article, we will explore everything you need to know about student accommodation in London in detail:
How should you find student accommodation in London?
The most significant factors to keep in mind when you are looking for a place to live in London are safety and price. The costs for student accommodation in London could widely differ.
Here are some factors that you must keep in mind when you are looking for student accommodation in London:
1. Select the right location:
You need to find the right location for your accommodation. This is crucial when you are looking for student accommodation in London. Rent depends on the location of the place, and you need to also account for safety, travel, and distance from your campus.
2. Do some research:
You should ideally give the kind of place you want to live in some thought and do your research. Check what kind of student accommodation feels best to you and also research its pros and cons.
Once you have decided on the kind of residence you wish to live in, explore the neighbourhoods around your college. You should also decide if you want a private room or if you want to share. Also, preparing a list of questions that you need to ask when you visit the property is a great idea.
3. Act fast:
Even though there are a lot of different housing alternatives available to international students, these get more and more in demand, especially around the time the enrollment date for universities and colleges approaches.
You should start looking for accommodation options as early as you can since you can find some great housing options at affordable prices. Try to schedule a visit to the places you find appealing early on to ensure that you get the first look.
What are the kinds of student accommodations available in London?
1. Private Student Housing
Private student housing options are operated by an external company. Sometimes these student accommodations also have partnerships with some colleges and universities.
Similar to college dormitories, private housing is divided into studio apartments and group apartments. Most private student housing options have rooms with an attached bathroom as well as shared facilities like a living room, dining room, and kitchen.
Studio apartments are entirely self-contained units within the housing. Typically, a standard room in a private student accommodation costs anywhere between 160 and 250 Euros a week.
You can get an en-suite room for around 160 to 280 Euros per week, while a studio apartment can be anywhere from 280 and 500 Euros a week.
2. University Residence Halls
Most universities and colleges in London generally offer a list of student residences to their first-year international students. These residents are places where students can live near the college campus.
Typically, a standard room in a university residence hall costs anywhere between 135 and 210 Euros a week. You can get an en-suite room for around 130 to 260 Euros per week, while a studio apartment can be anywhere from 140 and 340 Euros a week.
3. Rental Accommodation
A rental accommodation is essentially a shared apartment that is privately owned. You can easily rent it through an agency.
As an international student, it is often best to reach out to your university or your advisor to get some advice on accommodation.
Generally, you can get a private room for rent in a shared house for around 150 Euros per week or a small studio apartment for somewhere between 120 and 1000 Euros a week.
What are the additional fees associated with student accommodation in London?
Along with the rental fees, students need to also pay some additional costs when they live in student accommodations in London. Here are the additional fees associated with student accommodations, along with their average costs:
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Insurance:
Some student accommodations require their residents to purchase insurance. It costs somewhere between 77 and 100 Euros.
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Utility bills:
Just like a rented house, you need to consider utility bills in your cost of living in student accommodations. Generally, these account for electricity, security, water, and other basic amenities. They cost somewhere around 110 Euros.
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Admin fees:
Some student accommodations require their residents to pay administration fees. It costs somewhere around 350 Euros.
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Deposit:
Just like a rented house, you need to put down a deposit when you first move to student accommodations in London. Usually, the deposit amount is somewhere between 75 and 100 Euros.
Which Universities in the UK are close to London?
There are a lot of different British universities that are considered to be affordable for international students. London is considered to be one of the most expensive cities for students to live in.
However, many students choose to study in colleges that are in close proximity to London. This allows students to bring their tuition fees as well as the cost of living considerably down while benefiting from the city.
Many universities in the UK are located reasonably close to London. This means that students can easily commute to and fro from London.
Here are some universities that are only an hour and a half away from the city of London:
- Anglia Ruskin University
- DeMontFort University
- Canterbury Christ Church
- University o Essex
- Portsmouth University
These are some universities that are only half an hour away from the city of London:
- Brunel University
- University of East London
- Queen Mary University of London
- North Cumbria University
- Middlesex University
Here are some affordable universities located in the city of London:
- Queen Mary University of London
- Birbeck, University of London
- London School of Economics and Political Science
- King’s College London
- University College London
- Imperial College London
- School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) London
- Brunel University
Should international students opt for cheap accommodation in London?
For international students, it may be tempting to decide to live in cheap private housing. However, keep in mind that cheap accommodation means that you may have to compromise on basic amenities.
You need to be careful when you are looking for a property. Also, pay attention to mould and dampness in the rooms. It is often a good idea to visit the property before making a booking.
That way, you can point out any shortcomings to the landlord and see the place you will live in for yourself.
What are the average additional living expenses for student accommodation in London?
When you are studying in a new country, you need to keep in mind the additional costs of living with your student accommodation when you are calculating the costs.
For example, if you choose to live in a private hall or residence and you want to use the TV, you will need to pay for it. In London, student accommodations charge up to 150 Euros annually for a TV license.
Also, there are many private halls that require a non-refundable 250 Euros fee to reserve a room when you book your accommodation. Other costs to keep in mind are laundry, kitchenware, and furnishing. Usually, laundry costs somewhere between 2 and 3 Euros for each load.
What is the average cost of living in London?
The average cost of living in London is based on where you choose to live. For instance, Central London is regarded as one of the most expensive areas in London.
The cost of living here is around 1,694 Euros each month. Students should ideally do some research and find a location that is close to their college but isn’t expensive.
For example, if you choose to live in East London and South London, the average cost of living would be somewhere between 900 and 1200 Euros per month.
Many international students can easily find affordable housing options on LHA Davies Court, Bowden Court, and Valentine’s Day in London.
How can students pay for their accommodation?
Most universities and colleges require international students to get a savings bank account that allows direct debit.
Students are sometimes also required to have a minimum balance in these accounts when they first come to the country. This amount is needed to ensure that students will be able to manage the costs of living in London.
Your accommodation expenses will be paid off in instalments for each term. If you require any help covering these costs, applying for a student loan is a great option.
Do student accommodations in London include bills?
Generally, rental fees and dorm rooms require a payment that is due when the semester begins. Normally these payments coincide with the timelines for student loan instalments.
Nevertheless, colleges and universities may offer additional payment dates. Extra costs such as water, lighting, and heating are generally included in the costs of the accommodation.
Before booking your student accommodation in London, you should ideally check if amenities are included. Many student accommodations in London sometimes offer discounts on making payments in a lump sum for a few semesters.
You should check if you can get a similar deal and decrease your costs of living.
Conclusion
London is one of the most exotic cities in the world. It offers thrilling entertainment, various convenient travel options, a rich culture, and excellent educational and networking opportunities.
Even though London is considered to be one of the most expensive cities in the world when you are studying, it is easy to find great accommodation.
To know more about accommodation and education in London, contact our experts at Landmark Immigration.
