| Finding the right student accommodation can be key to | | | | National Portrait Gallery to the Tate Modern. Tour the |
| making the most of your university or college | | | | BBC studios in Shepherds Bush, shop on Oxford |
| experience. Our tips here can help you find quality | | | | Street, hunt down antiques in Islington, catch a West |
| student flats in London, catering to many different | | | | End musical - catch the latest info in one of London's |
| budgets and tastes. | | | | free newspapers. |
| 1. Location is often everything for students. Many | | | | 5. Moving from overseas can be very stressful. Most |
| prefer to rent in more central locations near their | | | | universities and colleges have specific resources to |
| campus, to minimise travel times and costs, including | | | | help international students and help with improving |
| the congestion charge for central London. Wherever | | | | English language. The British Council near Charing |
| you choose make sure there are easy and reliable | | | | Cross also provide relevant information. |
| transport links - you don't want to be late for class! | | | | 6. There is no such thing as one-size fits-all 'student |
| 2. Students often move to a city they do not know | | | | accommodation'. Everyone has different needs when |
| well. Research new neighbourhoods thoroughly - what | | | | it comes to accommodation to suit them. London is a |
| are the local amenities, shops, cafes, restaurants, bars, | | | | high speed, busy city, so a sanctuary is important.. |
| libraries, leisure facilities. In your neighbourhood you | | | | Some like to share with their friends - this might |
| might just find bargain haircuts at top hairdressing | | | | especially suit you if it is your first time away from |
| academies, massage at Westminster University, | | | | your parents. |
| cinema at Leicester Square's Prince Charles, arts at | | | | 7. Equally, you may prefer to have your own flat. This |
| the ICA by Trafalgar Square, clothes at the markets in | | | | has some advantages - you can control when there is |
| Greenwhich, Camden, Spitalfields, and Brick Lane plus | | | | peace and quiet and get a break from the 'university |
| food at Borough and flowers at Columbia Road. Your | | | | environment'. Again, do check the journey is easy |
| student experience is as much about your time outside | | | | enough to your campus and friends. |
| uni as the time you spend inside. | | | | 8. Do consider the feel of the place you'd like to live. |
| 3. Expert advice is invaluable. London is sometimes | | | | London's history lends student flats in London a vast |
| described as a series of 'villages', with unique | | | | array of architectural styles and features. You can find |
| characteristics for each neighbourhood. You may not | | | | loft style living, period places with original features, open |
| find the information all in one place so look around. In | | | | plan styles and more traditional homes. Again, your |
| particular make sure you search with the right suppliers | | | | home should be your haven, so the feel is definitely |
| to get a realistic picture of what you should expect for | | | | important. |
| your money. | | | | 9. Remember your needs may change throughout |
| 4. If you're moving from your parents, maybe you can't | | | | your course. Campuses could change from south to |
| wait to experience the freedom but at some point | | | | north of the river, transport may change, or sharers |
| you'll end up missing your family and home comforts. | | | | may like to try having their own space, or vice versa! |
| Consider where your family and friends could stay. In a | | | | Stay flexible. |
| spare room? Hotels cater to every need from 5 stars | | | | 10. Finally, moving to a new city can seem daunting. |
| at The Dorchester to respectable budget chains | | | | London is an amazing place to live and study but it is a |
| dotted around the capital. Entertaining visitors is easy, | | | | big city. Make sure your new pad has all the |
| from Big Ben to the Natural History Museum, the | | | | appropriate services, security and insurances. |