Alternative Accommodation for Students
This page was updated on 27 September 2024
*All UCL students are now eligible to apply for accommodation through the UCL Accommodation Portal.
UCL Accommodation is striving to help UCL students find high quality accommodation at affordable prices. The companies showcased are for informational purposes only. We do not have any official agreements with these companies and their inclusion does not constitute an endorsement.
Looking for private accommodation can be daunting. We have pulled together resources to help you with your search:
- Check out our article, how to avoid housing scams in your search for student accommodation, to learn more about the support available to UCL students.
- Access Housing Advice for UCL Student on the UCL Accommodation YouTube channel. Current UCL students George and Erik tell us about their experiences privately renting in London. This podcast covers the full journey of renting, from thinking about who you might live with all the way through to moving out and tips on getting your deposit back!
- Review a recording of our 2023 Housing Advice webinar, which gives advice on finding private housing. The webinar includes representatives from the University of London, Housing Services, UCL Accommodation, and the Students' Union UCL Advice Service, answering questions about private renting, budgeting, and alternative accommodation options. Current UCL students offer their perspectives and talk about their own experiences. Watch the Housing Advice webinar on YouTube.
- If you are under 18 years old or have additional needs that impact your requirements for accommodation while studying at UCL, you may be entitled to stay in UCL accommodation throughout your studies. Learn more about the accommodation offer for students with additional requirements.
Students' Union UCL
The Students' Union UCL has put together a guide to accommodation for 24/25 academic year. Students can use the Flatmate finder to find UCL students to live with in private rental accommodation, or spare rooms listed by other UCL students. This helpful tool is run by Students' Union UCL.
There is a comprehensive student blog with advice on where to live in London if you will not be living UCL Accommodation.
How do private rentals work?
You can book private accommodation in a variety of ways. The most important thing is to figure out your budget and start looking as early as possible. This will help you understand what is available in your price range.
To help students that are privately renting, UCL has a rent Guarantor Scheme. The purpose of this scheme is to assist eligible full-time UCL students to rent private accommodation that might not otherwise be available, by UCL acting as a guarantor where the student is unable to secure any other UK-based rent guarantor. The Scheme is open to overseas and EU students and in exceptional circumstances to UK students where no alternative UK guarantors are available. Learn more, including how to apply for the Rent Guarantor Scheme at UCL.
- University of London Housing Services
The University of London (UofL) Housing Services offers a range of assistance and support for students who are looking for and living in private accommodation in London.
Property Platform
UofL Housing Services offers a property platform through which students can find and secure accommodation from reputable providers. UofL does not place students in accommodation - you must find and search for suitable options.
Students must have a valid student ID / offer letter (ideally showing their graduation date) to register. You are encouraged to register for this service using your university email address for quicker approval to access the site.
Short stay accommodation
Additionally, UofL Housing Services offers dedicated information about short stay accommodation, which can include anything from a few nights to a couple of months. You may find you need to arrange this type of accommodation while you are looking for long term accommodation, when you first arrive in London or at the end of your studies.
University of London only offers short stay accommodation during the summer every year. Room bookings are open from the end of June until August.
You are encouraged to register for this service using your university email address for quicker approval to access the site.
Flatmate Finder Facebook group
UCL students can access the UofL Flatmate Finder group on Facebook. Here, students can connect with other students looking for houseshares, share knowledge and advertise rooms in the shared house they live in.
All join requests and posts must be approved by UofL before going live. Students must have signed up to the property platform to be approved on the group.
Advice Service
Students can access the UofL Housing Services advice service for issues they are experiencing in private rented accommodation. Issues include (but are not limited to):
- Contract advice
- Disrepair
- Deposit disputes
- Landlord harassment
- Infestations
- Evictions
- Short Stay Accommodation
The University of London (UofL) Housing Website has dedicated information regarding short stay accommodation. Short stay accommodation can include anything from a few nights to a couple of months. You may find you need to arrange this type of accommodation while you are looking for long term accommodation, when you first arrive in London or at the end of your studies.
GoBritanya offers short-stay student residences (minimum 2 weeks). Visit the GoBritanya Short Stays webpage to view their options.
- Student Accommodation Portals/ Platforms
Search for Student Accommodation using these portals to find properties available for rent in and around London.
Hybr is a new, personalised student accommodation platform that is completely free. Whether you are looking for a place for you and your mates or a place on your own, Hybr will be able to help! Blending technology and expert customer service to guide you through the rental process and make things are as easy as possible. They can also help you get set up with bills and other household responsibilities. With Hybr you get: access to thousands of student accommodation options across all price ranges, personalised service and access to a growing platform that helps students make the most of their time at uni and beyond.
Student.com
Student.com specialises in helping students find accommodation that fits their budget and their needs. Book your room and get a £100 Uber Voucher.
uhomes.com
Student accommodation specialists with over 2,000 properties in London, including Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSAs). The offers include a variety of rental options—from single rooms and studios to multi-bedroom units for individuals and groups. They cater to a range budgets, with most offers including bills in the price. Contact them to speak with rental consultants that are fluent in multiple languages, including Mandarin, Korean, Thai and Hindi.
University Living
University Living helps students across the globe find suitable and secure accommodation near their university campuses.
- Student Accommodation Providers
Find accommodation in student housing and intercollegiate student halls of residence with the selected providers below.
Britannia Student Services
A British Council approved student accommodation provider specialist in housing International and Home students, visiting or studying in London. Accommodation options include student halls of residence, homestay or apartments/houses to share. Britannia Student Services specialise in flexible lengths of stay and no guarantor is required.
Chapter Living
Chapter provides a unique living experience for students from across the globe. With an exclusive membership system, residents have access to all London locations, including their amenities and calendar of amazing events, enabling residents to build a city-wide community of friends and contacts while enjoying some of the most extraordinary living spaces in the London student market.
Eleanor Rosa House
This is a self catered Intercollegiate Halls of Residence located in Stratford, near UCL East. This accommodation is available to UCL students and those attending any college of the University of London.
Gobritanya
GoBritanya is a leading student accommodation agency, which allows students book from 2 to 51 weeks stays in residences throughout London.
International Students House
International Students House provides accommodation in Central London. They offer a range of room types for one or two people, or a family.
iQ Student Accommodation
Discover your best year yet in London. With 18 locations in the capital, pick the room, studio or apartment to call your happy place, with all-inclusive bills, private bathrooms and superfast WiFi to keep you connected.
UCL has secured special rates at 5 iQ sites in London: The Arcade, Highbury, Sterling Court, Tufnell House & Will Wyatt Court. Use University code 'UCL2425' when you make your booking.Londonist
Londonist offers 2000 rooms across 50 prime locations in London, encompassing Zones 1, 2, and 3. Their Wick Park Residence is a modern building equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and facilities located 20 minutes walk from UCL East.
London Nest
London Nest offers high-quality rooms for students near universities and top locations in London as student residences during the academic year and short term lets.
Unite Students
Unite Students is an independent organisation providing accommodation to students in London. Unite Students was the UK’s first private provider of purpose-built student accommodation.
Urbanest
London based student accommodation provider, with buildings close to the UCL campus.
Vita
Student accommodation provider offering studios in London at Lewisham Exchange, Zone 2.
- Private rental portals
Search for student housing and properties to rent using private portals, available for both solo-accommodation and house-shares.
OpenRent
A direct to landlord letting service.
RightMove
A private property portal, with properties to rent direct from landlords and agencies.
SpareRoom
Geared towards moving into an existing shared flat, but there are sometimes whole properties listed as well.
Zoopla
A private property portal, with properties to rent direct from landlords and agencies.
Family and couples accommodation
The majority of student accommodation is designed for single students, which means that you will want to begin your search for this type of housing as early as possible.
International Hall has a small number of flats available for students with children. Information on the application process and deadline for students with children at International Hall can be found on the University of London website. The application process differs slightly for students with families and you will need to submit an application form. Please email the University of London for further information.
There are some private halls and housing associations who can assist with couples and those with children. Places are limited, so we would advise you to get in touch with them as soon as possible:
• Goodenough College
• International Students House
• Nansen Village
• Zebra Housing Association
Resources available to UCL Students
- At risk of homelessness
If you are an enrolled student and you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless (having no access to, or ability to fund, long or short term accommodation), you may find some useful information on Students’ Union UCL’s Finding Emergency Accommodation webpage.
The Students’ Union’s Advice Service cannot find or provide accommodation for students, but can discuss your situation and help explore your housing options. They can also signpost you to further accommodation opportunities and relevant sources of financial support (if needed). If you need support or would like to discuss your housing needs, please contact Students’ Union UCL via their Advice Service contact form.
- UCL Rent Guarantor Scheme
The purpose of this scheme is to assist eligible full-time UCL students to rent private accommodation that might not otherwise be available, by UCL acting as a guarantor where the student is unable to secure any other UK-based rent guarantor.
The Scheme is open to overseas and EU students and in exceptional circumstances to UK students where no alternative UK guarantors are available.
Learn more, including how to apply for the Rent Guarantor Scheme at UCL.
- Flatmate Finder
Students can use the Flatmate finder to find UCL students to live with in private rental accommodation, or spare rooms listed by other UCL students. This helpful tool is run by Students' Union UCL.
UCL students can access the University of London Flatmate Finder group on Facebook. Here, students can connect with other students looking for houseshares, share knowledge and advertise rooms in the shared houses they live in.
The University of London has a Private Housing Guide, that is available for all UCL students. They can also assist with contract checking and legal advice.
- Crime Prevention and Personal Safety Team (UCL)
UCL's Crime Prevention and Personal Safety Team places your security at the forefront and is on hand to give advice and information to keep you safe in London.
You can contact the Crime Prevention and Personal Safety Team with any safety concern by emailing or contact them anonymously and confidentially, withholding personal details, via Report+Support.
- Citizens Advice and Shelter (charities)
Citizens advice is a charity that offers confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free.
Shelter is a housing and homelessness charity that offers housing advice and support online and over the phone, for free.