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Alternative Accommodation for Students

A guide to private accommodation in London for UCL students

This page was updated on 17 January 2024

UCL Accommodation is striving to help UCL students find high quality accommodation at affordable prices. As the demand for accommodation exceeds the capacity of our own properties, we have partnered with strategic private providers and secured offers exclusively for UCL students.   

This page is for UCL students that are ineligible for UCL Accommodation, a returning student or looking for couples or family accommodation. Please be aware that if you have additional needs that impact your requirements for accommodation whilst 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

Looking for private accommodation can be daunting, please 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.

You can also access a recording of our recent 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.


Special Offers for UCL Students

The following properties are available at a discount to UCL students.

Londonist 

The special rates below apply to bookings with a check out date up to and including Saturday, 31 August 2024:

  • £395 per week for a Wick Park ensuite at Hackney Wick Park, Hackney Wick (Close to UCL East)
    Save up to £75pw (compared to £470pw for a contract for 2-12 weeks, £460pw 13-24 weeks, £450pw 25-36 weeks)
  • £375 per week for a Vega Residence ensuite at iQ Vega Residence, Vauxhall
    Save up to £105pw (compared to £480pw for a contract for 2-12 weeks, £470pw 13-24 weeks, £460pw 25-36 weeks)
  • £290 per week for a North Lodge basic ensuite at North Lodge London, Tottenham Hale
    Save up to £80pw (compared to £370pw for a contract for 2-12 weeks, £360pw 13-24 weeks, £350pw 25-36 weeks)

To access the deal and secure your room, contact Londonist directy by email.

Student.com   

Get a £100 Uber Voucher when you make your booking


Students' Union UCL

The Students' Union UCL has put together a guide to accommodation for 23/24 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.

Student Accommodation Portals/ Platforms

Search for Student Accommodation using these portals to find properties available for rent in and around London. 

Hybr

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 

Student accommodation specialists.

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 

Student accommodation provider that gives residents access to all of their London locations, including their amenities and calendar of activities and events. 

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.    

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 

Find your space with iQ. With 17 locations across London, choose the student life that you want. iQ offers a great range of rooms, studios and apartments in the capital, with all-inclusive bills, private bathrooms and superfast WiFi to keep you connected.

UCL has secured special rates at four IQ sites in London: Will Wyatt Court, iQ Tufnell House, The Arcade and iQ Highbury. Use University code 'UCL2324' 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.

University of London Housing Services

UoL

University of London Housing Services offers a range of services to assist and support students looking for and living in private accommodation in London.

Students with Additional Requirements

A student smiling

UCL Accommodation work to ensure students with additional requirements are allocated rooms that meet their needs.