Best student accommodation in Greenwich, London
Written by Carlos M. Silva, Studio Manager at The Greenwich Student Collective·Last updated 7 August 2026
Key takeaways
- ·61 private studios on Tunnel Avenue, from £375 per week
- ·All bills included: Wi-Fi, water, electricity and heating
- ·About 5 minutes by bike to the University of Greenwich, or a 15 to 20 minute walk
- ·Cutty Sark DLR is 10 minutes on foot: Canary Wharf in 5 minutes, Bank in around 15
- ·44 or 51 week contracts, so you can cover the summer if you need to
- ·No visa, no pay guarantee: cancel without penalty if your visa is refused
- ·No council tax to pay, and no exemption paperwork to file
There is no single best option in Greenwich, only the best fit for your budget and your course. University halls are the cheapest and closest to the Maritime Campus. Private studios cost more per week but include everything, give you your own kitchen and bathroom, and can cover the summer. House shares look cheap until bills, deposits and a twelve month contract are added up.
This guide compares the three routes honestly, including where we fit in. We run The Greenwich Student Collective, 61 private studios on Tunnel Avenue, so treat our section as what it is: one option among several, described with the same numbers we would want to see from anyone else.
The three types of student accommodation in Greenwich
| Option | Room | Contract | Bills | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Greenwich halls | Shared en-suite or studio | 39 to 40 weeks | Included | From around £146 per week |
| Private studios (PBSA) | Private studio, own kitchen and bathroom | 44 or 51 weeks | Included | From £375 per week |
| Private house share | Room in a shared house | 12 months | Usually extra | Around £150 to £250 per week plus bills |
Prices are indicative for the 2026/27 academic year and change through the booking cycle. Always confirm the current figure with the provider.
University of Greenwich halls
The university operates four halls: Cutty Sark Hall, Daniel Defoe Hall, Devonport House and McMillan Student Village. They are the cheapest accommodation in the area, bills are included, and residential support staff are on site. First-year undergraduates who firmly accept their offer by the published deadline are covered by the university accommodation guarantee.
The trade-offs are contract length and privacy. Contracts run around 39 to 40 weeks, so you need somewhere else over the summer, and most rooms share a kitchen with five to seven other students. Devonport House is reserved for postgraduates and students aged 25 and over.
Private studios in Greenwich
Purpose-built student accommodation sits at the other end of the scale: a private studio with your own kitchen and bathroom, all bills in the weekly price, shared amenities like a gym and study spaces, and contracts that can cover the summer. You pay more per week and you get certainty and privacy in return.
Our own building, The Greenwich Student Collective on Tunnel Avenue, is one of these. 61 studios from £375 per week, all bills included, 24 hour CCTV and secure entry, a gym, cinema room, study spaces and a courtyard. About 5 minutes by bike or a 15 to 20 minute walk to the Maritime Campus, and 10 minutes on foot to Cutty Sark DLR, which puts Canary Wharf 5 minutes away and Bank around 15.
Other private buildings serve the wider area, including options at North Greenwich closer to Ravensbourne and the O2, and in Deptford and Lewisham towards Goldsmiths. If you are comparing, use the checklist further down rather than the photography.
Private house shares
A room in a shared house is often the cheapest headline rent in Greenwich, and for second and third year students who already have a group it can work well. Budget properly though: utilities, internet, a deposit, agency fees and a full twelve month contract all sit on top of the advertised weekly figure, and you will usually be paying rent over the summer whether you are in London or not.
Where are you studying?
University of Greenwich, Maritime Campus
The largest institution in the area, spread across the Old Royal Naval College. From our building it is about 5 minutes by bike or a 15 to 20 minute walk, and Cutty Sark DLR is 10 minutes on foot.
Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
Shares the Old Royal Naval College site with the University of Greenwich, so travel times are effectively the same. Practice schedules often run late, which makes a private studio with its own kitchen easier to live with.
Ravensbourne University London
At North Greenwich beside the O2, roughly 15 minutes by bus or a short DLR and Jubilee line connection from Greenwich.
Goldsmiths, University of London
In New Cross, around 20 minutes by bus or a DLR connection through Deptford Bridge. Greenwich is a popular choice for Goldsmiths students who want to live somewhere calmer than New Cross itself.
AMOS Sport Business School, London campus
At 142 Greenwich High Road, SE10 8NN, about 10 minutes by bike from us and easily reached by bus. AMOS runs Bachelor and Master programmes in sport business in English and French, and we already host AMOS students in the building.
Who a private studio suits best
International students
Arriving before term or staying through the summer. Longer contracts and all-inclusive rent remove most of the moving parts.
First years who want privacy
Your own kitchen and bathroom rather than sharing with five to seven others, while still having shared spaces when you want them.
Postgraduates and mature students
A quieter building than a first-year hall, with study spaces and a meeting room for group work.
Exchange and semester students
Shorter stays are harder to place in halls and impossible in a twelve month house share. Ask us about the dates you actually need.
Students across all four institutions
University of Greenwich, Trinity Laban, Ravensbourne, Goldsmiths and AMOS London are all within a short ride of the building.
Six things to check before you book
What the rent actually includes
Wi-Fi, water, electricity and heating should be part of the weekly figure. If they are not, add £15 to £25 per week to the advertised price before comparing.
Contract length against your course dates
A 44 week contract fits a standard academic year. A 51 week contract makes sense if you have a summer placement, a job in London, or you would rather not move your belongings twice.
Guarantor and payment terms
Ask whether a UK guarantor is required and what the alternative is. Ask what happens if your visa or university place falls through.
The real travel time
Check the route from the building entrance to your campus yourself. Advertised walking times are often measured generously.
Verified reviews from current residents
Reviews written by verified students are more reliable than testimonials on a provider's own website. Read the recent ones, not the highest rated ones.
What the shared spaces are actually like
A gym and a cinema room only count if they are maintained and open. Ask when they were last refurbished and whether they are included or charged separately.
Read what residents actually say
Reviews written by verified current residents are the most useful signal available when you cannot visit in person. Ours are public on both platforms, including the critical ones:
StudentCrowd requires a minimum of ten verified reviews before it ranks a building at all. We currently sit second of the 27 rated properties near the University of Greenwich, at 4.58 out of 5, from 10 reviews. Treat our score as early rather than settled, and read the reviews themselves rather than the number.
“Since the new management team came in, Greenwich Student Collective has become a much better place to live. Communication has improved, issues are dealt with quickly, and it is obvious that the team genuinely wants residents to have a positive experience.”
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best student accommodation in Greenwich?
It depends on what you are optimising for. University of Greenwich halls are the cheapest option and put you closest to the Maritime Campus, which suits most first-year undergraduates. Private purpose-built studios such as The Greenwich Student Collective cost more per week but give you a private kitchen and bathroom, a contract that covers the summer, and no shared spaces with strangers. A room in a private house share is usually cheapest on paper but bills, deposits and a 12-month contract often make it more expensive overall.
How much does student accommodation in Greenwich cost per week?
University halls in Greenwich start from around £146 per week for a shared en-suite room on a 39-week contract with bills included. Private studios in the area typically run from £375 per week with all bills included. Rooms in private house shares advertise from around £150 to £250 per week, with utilities, council tax exemptions and deposits handled separately.
Is Greenwich a good area for students in London?
Yes. Greenwich combines a genuinely residential feel with fast connections into the city: Cutty Sark DLR reaches Canary Wharf in about 5 minutes and Bank in around 15. It is quieter and greener than central London, has a large student population across four institutions, and rents sit below equivalent accommodation in zones 1 and 2.
Which universities and colleges are in or near Greenwich?
The University of Greenwich Maritime Campus is the largest, alongside Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, which shares the same historic site. Ravensbourne University London is at North Greenwich by the O2. Goldsmiths, University of London is in New Cross, a short bus or DLR ride away. AMOS Sport Business School has its London campus on Greenwich High Road.
Should I choose a 44 week or 51 week contract?
A 44 week contract covers the academic year and costs less overall. A 51 week contract covers the summer, which matters if you have a placement, a summer job in London, or you are an international student who does not want to move belongings home and back. If your course runs to late summer or you plan to stay in London between years, the longer contract is usually cheaper than paying for storage and a separate summer let.
What should I check before booking student accommodation in Greenwich?
Confirm what the rent includes, in particular Wi-Fi, water, electricity and heating. Check the contract length against your course dates, whether a UK guarantor is required, and the cancellation terms if your visa or university place does not come through. Measure the real walking or cycling time from the building entrance to your campus rather than relying on the advertised figure, and read verified reviews from current residents.
Do I need a UK guarantor to rent student accommodation in Greenwich?
University halls do not require a guarantor. Most private student accommodation asks for a UK based guarantor or, as an alternative, payment of the year in advance. Requirements vary between buildings, and often between UK and international applicants, so ask the provider directly what applies to your situation before ruling a building out.
When do students book accommodation in Greenwich for September?
Private studios start selling from November for the following September, and the most popular room types are usually gone by late spring. University halls open applications in late January or early February. If you are reading this in the summer, availability still exists but choice narrows quickly, so it is worth enquiring the same week you decide.
Do students pay council tax in Greenwich?
Full-time students are exempt from council tax in the UK, so you should not be paying it in halls, in purpose-built accommodation or in an all-student house share. The difference is the admin and the risk. In purpose-built accommodation like ours the building is exempt, so there is nothing to file and nothing to chase. In a private house share someone has to apply for the exemption, and if one housemate turns out not to be a full-time student the exemption can be lost and the bill lands on the household, which is often more than £40 per week.
Is Greenwich a good choice for international students?
Yes, and it is one of the reasons the area is popular. Greenwich has a large international student population across four institutions, direct transport into the City and Canary Wharf, and rents below equivalent zone 1 and 2 accommodation. Private studios here also tend to offer 51 week contracts, which matters if you arrive before term starts or would rather not move your belongings home over the summer. At The Greenwich Student Collective we host international students every year and are used to walking applicants through the process from abroad.
Is laundry included in student accommodation in Greenwich?
University halls and most private buildings have an on-site laundry room rather than a machine in each room. At The Greenwich Student Collective there is a laundry room in the building for residents. In a private house share you will usually have a washing machine in the property, with the running cost part of your utility bills.
Is there bike storage for students in Greenwich?
Cycling is the fastest way to get around Greenwich, so secure storage is worth checking before you book. The Greenwich Student Collective has a secure cycle store for residents. University halls generally provide bike racks, though space can be limited and is allocated in term order.
Can friends or family visit me in student accommodation?
Yes. Purpose-built accommodation normally allows guests, with a sign-in process at reception for security and rules on overnight stays set out in the tenancy agreement. If you expect family to visit from abroad, ask about the overnight guest policy before booking rather than after you arrive.
Can I move in earlier than the contract start date?
Sometimes, depending on availability and whether the studio has been vacated and cleaned. Early move-in is usually charged pro rata for the extra nights. If your flight or induction dates fall before the standard start date, ask when you enquire and we will tell you what is possible for that specific studio.
What happens if my visa is delayed or refused?
Ask every provider this before paying anything. The Greenwich Student Collective operates a no visa, no pay guarantee: if your student visa is refused, you can cancel without penalty on presentation of the refusal. University halls have their own cancellation terms tied to your offer status, and private house shares generally offer no such protection once a tenancy is signed.
Carlos M. Silva is Studio Manager at The Greenwich Student Collective, where he looks after the 61 studios on Tunnel Avenue and answers resident and applicant enquiries directly. LinkedIn
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