“Where can I live?” – Preparing for Study

Finding accommodation, travelling in London and the UK

Where you live while you study at LondonMet is a big decision. Where you choose to live will affect how you experience your course, your ability to engage in your studies, impact your finances and how much part-time work you can do. It pays to do your research and think carefully about your accommodation and its location before you decide where to live.

The advice our current students give is that you should start researching your accommodation options much earlier on in your preparation for studying in the UK. There is a lot of research to be done before you can decide where to live and find and secure your accommodation.

Advice from current students

Here is some advice from our current students about accommodation decisions:

“One of the major problems which anyone can face anytime is accommodation…..Getting a guarantor or reference for student to rent is difficult”
Postgraduate student from Nigeria on International Business management

“Its not easy to find accommodation”
Postgraduate student from Turkey

“Finding accommodations, high rate of renting, extra increase in exchange rate”
Postgraduate Business student from Iran

“Yes adjusting in accommodation is quite a big challenge here as we are completely out of our comfort zone“
Indian student studying MSc International Business

“The expenses are too high so be prepared mentally to pay for it and find accommodations earlier too as it’s tough here”
MSc Public Health student from India

Have a look at the main accommodation options our students have to choose from on the University website pages on student residences and finding private rental accommodation in London.

Student Residences

There are lots of student residences in London which are very convenient for single students but may not be suitable for anyone coming with a family. The weekly price looks high, but it includes all utility bills so there are no more unexpected costs. Residences are built and designed for students and are often very close to tube or bus links for travelling in London to your classes. They are also staffed during the day with people who are there to help international students with any issues they may have. They also have security staff working at night so are a very safe option.

Private accommodation rentals

Private rented accommodation refers to privately owned rooms, flats and houses being let out by their owners for residential purposes. It’s generally cheaper than halls of residence, but remember that you may have to pay for utility bills (water, gas, electricity, internet etc) separately from the rent. The rent is usually paid weekly or monthly and you would normally sign a tenancy agreement contract with the owner.

Two of the recent problems students have faced are an increase in the cost of rental properties in London and how competitive it is to secure them. You also have to factor in utility bills such as broadband, gas, water and electricity on top of your rent and these have increased a lot this year. Have a look at the Save The Student site for other questions to ask when looking for private rented accommodation.

Living with family in other cities outside London

Some current students have opted to live with family members who live in other parts of the UK. This may be cheaper in accommodation costs and utility bills but if you are in a city or town outside London there will be expensive train travel to class in London each day. Living a long way from the University will impact on your experience of being at university. You will become a “commuter student” with more time taken up each day in travel and fewer opportunities for you to mix with your classmates and make friends and get part-time work. Bear these factors in mind when deciding where to live.

There is a very useful website which helps you decide where to live around London. It tells you which stations are within your preferred commute time of the central London station nearest to the University [Holloway Road or Highbury Islington tube stations]. It also tells you information like the average house prices, crime rates, and schools in the area.

It is important for you to be aware of the high costs of train travel if you live outside London. The train journeys may not look very long, for example, it takes just over an hour from Leicester to London, but the train fares are very expensive at peak times, which is when you will be travelling to London for your classes. Make sure you determine how much your train tickets will cost from the area you want to live in. If living outside London you should get a National Railcard which will help reduce the price of train travel outside London. You should also consider booking your tickets ahead to get the cheapest prices.

Travelling in London

If you’re an international student in London, navigating the city’s vast public transport network can initially seem overwhelming. However, with a little guidance, you can quickly become a pro at travelling across and into London using public transportation. Here are some valuable tips to help you make the most of your journey:

Get an Oyster card: This smart card is your ticket to hassle-free travel. You can use it on buses, trams, the Tube, the DLR (Docklands Light Railway), and most London Overground services. It offers discounted fares compared to paper tickets, and you can easily top it up online or at various stations.
Plan your journey: Use the Transport for London (TfL) website or smartphone apps like Citymapper or Google Maps to plan your routes. These tools provide up-to-date travel information, including real-time delays and alternative routes.
Understand the Tube map: The London Underground, or Tube, is a complex system, but the Tube map makes it easy to understand. Study the map to familiarize yourself with the different lines and interchanges. Be aware of peak hours when the trains can get crowded.
Embrace buses: London’s iconic red buses are a convenient way to explore the city. They offer a chance to see the sights above ground. Download the TfL bus app or use Google Maps to find the right bus and know when it’s coming.
Try the DLR and London Overground: The DLR and London Overground are excellent alternatives to the Tube. They cover areas that the Tube doesn’t reach and provide scenic routes along the river and through neighbourhoods.
Check for student discounts: As a student, you may be eligible for discounted travel fares. Look into obtaining a 16-25 Railcard or a Student Oyster photocard, which offers reduced rates on public transportation.
Be mindful of time and safety: London is a bustling city, so plan your journeys with enough time to account for delays or crowded trains. Stay vigilant, particularly when travelling late at night, and avoid empty carriages or isolated areas.
Explore walking and cycling: London is a walkable city, and cycling is a popular mode of transport. Consider exploring shorter distances on foot or renting a bicycle using the Santander Cycles scheme.

By following these tips, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate London’s public transport system confidently. Embrace the adventure, and enjoy exploring this vibrant city!

Preparation Activities

To make the session as helpful as possible it might be good if you can complete the following tasks:

Use some of the links above to work out which type of accommodation is going to be the most suitable for you: Student Residences or Private Rented Accommodation?
What is your monthly budget for accommodation? What kind of accommodation can you get for that amount? Does that monthly cost include utility bills? Do you have money for the deposit?
Look at Studentpad and also Uniplaces and see what is currently available.
Do you want to live in London close to the University or within commuting distance?
Are you looking at living in a city outside London? Which city and why?
If you are living outside London, have you looked at how much the train tickets will be each day to get into London and the costs of travelling across London?
How much is an Oyster Card and where do you get one?
If you are going to live outside London, which National Railcard are you eligible for?
Think of any questions you have for the Student Service team who will lead this session.
Make a decision on the best type of accommodation for you and look at the rental prices online. Do the sums and make sure your budget will stretch.
If you decide to live outside London and become a commuter student, carefully consider the impact on your budget, time and engagement in your studies and part-time work opportunities.
Regularly look at Studentpad and also Uniplaces to see what is currently available.
Make sure you understand the time and cost of travel to get to campus for each of your lessons. Check maps from where you decide to live for journeys to Holloway Road or Highbury Islington tube stations by using the TFL Journey Planner
If you live outside London you will have another journey to plan to the main London station and then onto buses or tubes. Trainline | Search, Compare & Buy Cheap Train & Bus Tickets (thetrainline.com)
Work out how much time you will be travelling to and from the University and the weekly and monthly costs of tickets.
If your classes are in the evening from 6pm to 9pm, check if there is public transport to get you back to your accommodation at night time?

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