Best student areas in London:
Your complete guide

Living in London can seem overwhelming, especially if you’re looking to move there for uni. However, there are lots of excellent student-friendly locations to choose from that are close to the different universities. Below, we’ve listed a few of the best areas for students to live in London.

Camden

If you’re looking for a location practically in the middle of the many unis in London, look no further than Camden! You’ll be close to reliable public transport links like the tube, which can get you to various universities in no time. Plus, if you’re into quirky markets with independent sellers and vintage clothing and arts, you’ll love being close to Camden market.

Camden is one of the best areas to live in London as a student – it’s a trendy student area with decent nightlife too. It’s filled with a buzzing live music scene and is a vibrant part of the city. You’ll always be close to the heart of London, such as central London and Oxford street. All you need to do is hop on the tube.

The closest university – Camden is one of the best locations for University College London students (UCL). It’s just 1.5 miles from the main campus, meaning it’s an 8-minute car ride, a 13-minute bike ride, a 17-minute tube journey, or a 30-minute walk away. Whatever your preference for transport, you can get there without being late for class!

Tower Bridge

If you want a more central location to live while studying in London, Tower Bridge should be a consideration. Its central location means there’s plenty to do, no matter which direction you walk in. You’ll be surrounded by excellent bars and restaurants, plus Tower Bridge has a thriving nightlife. On the other hand, this is also the perfect location to choose if you’re into scenic views, tourist attractions, and history. The area is surrounded by historic buildings and tourist sightseeing attractions that can keep your history brain occupied.

Although Tower Bridge is a little more expensive than other areas, it’s easy to see why. There’s an abundance of things to do in the area, making it the ideal location for students, plus it’s super easy to get around with links to the different tube lines around London.

The closest university – Tower Bridge is a very central location, so many universities are easy to get to. However, the closest uni is Newcastle University London. This is just an 18-minute drive, a 6-minute bike ride, a 15-minute tube or train journey, or a 20-minute walk away. This is perfect for those who like to stay active, as getting there via bike is the easiest and fastest route.

Richmond

Richmond is the perfect location for those looking to be further out of the city centre. It’s based on the outskirts and is surrounded by stunning views and scenery. Not only this, but the rent out here is slightly cheaper too! Richmond’s stand-out factor is its quiet relaxing nature and big open green spaces for outdoorsy people to explore.

Although it’s further out of the centre, Richmond is still highly popular with students.. People looking for a quieter student living or even older students tend to choose this area for its neighbourly feeling and the fact that it’s outside the city center’s hustle and bustle. Plus, it’s one of the safest areas in London for students.However, the area also has excellent tube and transport links, so it’s easy to get around when needed, as Richmond is on the district line.

The closest university – Richmond is obviously close by to Richmond University, with it being right on its doorstep and just a short walk away. It would take just 5 minutes by car, 9 minutes by bike, 12 minutes by bus, or 20 minutes on foot to get from the Richmond area to campus. However, as mentioned, Richmond is on the tube line, making it super easy to get to other universities around the city.

Brixton

If you’re looking for epic nightlife during your stay at university, then Brixton is the place for you. Filled with unique bars and clubs, from jazz to hip hop; whatever your vibe, you’re sure to find something to entertain you here. Brixton is also a pretty central location but is more affordable than other central areas, making it one of the perfect spots to settle down.

Brixton is at the end of the Victoria line, making it well-connected to several universities. This makes it one of the top student areas for many students, and you can feel the buzz of student life here. If you choose to live here, you’ll be surrounded by life and feel right in the middle of the action – perfect for social butterflies!

The closest university – King’s College London (KCL) has a campus, the King’s College Hospital campus, which is in the Brixton area and within walking distance. This is great for students studying and/or working at the hospital as part of their course. The quickest way to reach the hospital campus is via bike in just 6 minutes. Alternatively, you can drive there in 9 minutes, catch a bus and be there in 16 minutes, or walk and make it in 23 minutes – the choice is yours!

Docklands

For those looking for cheaper student housing in London but still want a central location, Docklands could be the place for you. Its rent prices are slightly lower than the surrounding areas, and its location makes it super easy and convenient to get into the centre and the nearby universities.

Docklands is the perfect place for students who like to be close enough to the hustle and bustle that it’s easy to reach when they want it but also far enough out that they can relax too. Docklands has a calm and quiet nature, but it’s also super close to everything you’ll need at uni, including the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) that will connect you to the tube.

The closest university – The University of Greenwich is the closest to Docklands. It’s a bit of a walk away, taking around 50 minutes, but if you have a bike or are thinking of buying one, you can get there in just 19 minutes! Alternatively, you can drive there in about 17 minutes or hop on the DLR and be there in 18 minutes. There are plenty of options to ensure you get to class on time!

Overview

Plenty of different locations in London are student-friendly and have lots of stuff to do. With so many different universities and campuses, we can’t put them all in this blog, but we’ve picked out the best ones with variety. There’s an abundance of transport links to get you in and around the capital city and to your classes, wherever your uni may be! Just remember the following tips when choosing the best place for you:

• How far away is my uni campus?
• What is there to do in the area?
• Are there enough reliable transport options?
• Does it fit in with my budget?

You may find that your chosen location ticks the majority, if not all, of the above checklist, but if you’re struggling with fitting it into your budget, you might be surprised to know there are other ways to save your pennies! Here at Split The Bills, we bundle all your bills into one neat monthly payment, so you don’t need to worry about whether you paid the internet bill! Plus, if you’re house sharing, we will equally split the amount between you when you sign up, so you’re all paying the same amount – trust us, this saves a lot of arguments! You’ll also not need to worry if you have that one housemate that likes to skip on bill day – we will chase them for you! If you’d like to know more about how we work and how we could save you money and hassle, look at our information page.