Affordable London

Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you choose University halls or private housing.

University halls

• Expect to pay £216–£300 per week.
• Private halls usually start at £216 per week and can exceed £350 for premium rooms or central locations.
• A £250 deposit is required for University halls.
• Visit our Applying for halls page to explore locations, prices and availability

Private rented accommodation

Costs depend on:

• the area of London,
• the type of accommodation,
• and the number of people sharing.

Most students live in Zones 2 or 3, where a room in a shared house typically costs £150–£200 per week, excluding bills.

You will usually need:

• one month’s rent upfront, and
• a damage deposit (four to six weeks’ rent).

We recommend setting aside around £1,600 to cover these initial costs.

If you need support finding private accommodation, visit our Private rented accommodation page.

If you live in halls

• Utility bills (heating, electricity, water) are included.
• Basic possessions insurance is included through Howden.
• Check the Howden website to see what’s covered and whether you need to add extra items.

If you live in private accommodation

You may need to budget for:

• electricity
• heating
• hot water
• internet
• TV licence (if you watch live TV or BBC iPlayer)

Council tax

Full time students living only with other full time students do not pay council tax. You must request a Council Tax Exemption Certificate and send it to your local council.

Healthcare

International students on courses longer than six months can use the NHS for free, as the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is paid during the visa application.

Food is often one of the biggest weekly expenses.

Tips to save:

• Share food shops and cook together with flatmates.
• Bring your own lunch to campus.
• Tap water is safe to drink — no need to buy bottled water.
• Look out for £3 lunches available on University campuses.
• Shop at budget friendly supermarkets such as Aldi, Lidl, Asda and Morrisons.

Basic insurance is included in halls, but many students own valuable items such as laptops, phones, bikes and cameras.

You may want additional cover. Howden is recommended by the NUS, but it’s worth comparing prices to find the best deal.

Travel costs depend on your travel zone and how often you commute.

Ways to save:

• Apply for a 16–25 Railcard or 26–30 Railcard for 1/3 off rail travel.
• Apply for a Student Oyster card after enrolment for 30% off weekly, monthly and annual travelcards.
• Use buses where possible — a single fare is £1.75.
• Consider cycling as a low cost option.
• Walk when you can — many central London campuses are close to key transport links.

Budget for:

• books
• printing and photocopying
• stationery

Ways to save:

• Use the University libraries.
• Buy second hand books or share with classmates.
• Check our IT discounts and free software page for student deals on laptops and software.

These costs vary widely depending on your lifestyle.

Tips to stay on budget:

• Set a weekly or monthly limit for social activities.
• Use student discounts wherever possible.
• Explore free or low cost activities — London has plenty.