Cost of Student Living in Greenwich (2026)

Average monthly student budget in Greenwich

The table below shows realistic 2026 monthly ranges for a single full-time student living in Greenwich. Numbers are aggregated from TfL fare data, supermarket averages, ONS London student spending surveys and current PBSA market rates.

If your accommodation includes bills, the lower and mid columns shift down significantly. Across an academic year this can mean a saving of £1,200 to £2,000.

Accommodation costs in Greenwich

Accommodation is the single largest expense for any student living in London, and Greenwich is no exception. There are three main paths.

Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)

Private buildings designed specifically for students, with studios, en-suite rooms and shared flats. In 2026, Greenwich PBSA studios typically range from £210 to £550 per week. The upper end reflects larger units, premium finishes and central locations near the Maritime Campus or the DLR. London PBSA contracts almost always run 51 weeks, matching the academic year plus summer, and bills are nearly always included.

University halls

The University of Greenwich operates several halls, including Cutty Sark Hall and Daniel Defoe Hall. These tend to sit at the lower end of the market and prioritise first-year undergraduates. Spaces are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Private rental

Renting outside the student market is technically possible but less common in Greenwich. Expect £700 to £1,200 per month for a room in a shared house, plus a five-week deposit, referencing fees and a UK-based guarantor. International students often need to pay six to twelve months of rent upfront if they cannot provide one.

For most students, especially internationals and postgraduates, PBSA is the simplest path. There is no guarantor requirement, the contract is straightforward, and bills are typically rolled into the weekly rate.

Bills and utilities explained

Even when accommodation is advertised as “all bills included”, it is worth understanding what is and is not covered. Most London PBSA contracts include:

• Water (mains supply and waste)
• Electricity
• Heating (typically electric or central)
• Wi-Fi and broadband
• Contents insurance for personal belongings (basic level)
• Communal area cleaning

What is rarely included in any rent, PBSA or otherwise:

• Mobile phone bills
• TV licence (£169.50 per year if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer; many students do not need one)
• Personal subscriptions such as Netflix, Spotify or gym memberships

Council tax

Full-time students in the UK are automatically exempt from council tax. In PBSA, this is handled by the operator and no action is needed. In private rental, every full-time student in the household must apply for an exemption through the local council, which in this case is the Royal Borough of Greenwich. If you live with anyone who is not a full-time student, council tax becomes payable at 75% of the standard rate.

Transport in and around Greenwich

Greenwich is well connected. The Maritime Campus is in Zone 2, with three main rail and DLR connections:

• Cutty Sark DLR (3 minutes to Canary Wharf, 15 minutes to Bank)
• Greenwich station (National Rail to London Bridge in 10 minutes)
• Maze Hill (National Rail to London Bridge in 12 minutes)

Many students walk to campus from accommodation in Greenwich town centre, which is often the cheapest transport option of all.

18+ Student Oyster Photocard

Full-time students living in a London borough during term time are eligible for the 18+ Student Oyster Photocard, which gives 30% off Travelcards and Bus and Tram Pass season tickets. There is a one-off £20 application fee. In 2026, a Zones 1-2 monthly Travelcard costs £119.90 for adults and roughly £84 with the student discount. For Zones 1-3 the figures are £141.00 and approximately £99.

16-25 Railcard

For £35 per year, or £80 for three years, the 16-25 Railcard takes a third off Standard, Off-Peak and Advance rail fares across Britain. When linked to your Oyster card it also delivers a third off off-peak pay-as-you-go fares on the Tube, DLR, Elizabeth line and London Overground. Mature students over 25 can apply as long as they are in full-time study.

Cycling

Greenwich is bike-friendly, with Quietway 1 connecting to Waterloo and several dedicated routes through Greenwich Park. A second-hand commuter bike costs £100 to £250 and removes most weekly transport spend.

Food and groceries

A single student cooking at home in Greenwich typically spends £35 to £55 per week on groceries, or £150 to £230 per month. Costs vary by supermarket tier:

• Budget (Lidl, Aldi, Iceland): £30 to £40 weekly
• Mid-range (Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons): £40 to £55 weekly
• Premium (Waitrose, M&S): £55 to £80 weekly

Lidl and Aldi do not have central Greenwich branches, but Lewisham is one stop on the DLR and has both. Tesco and Sainsbury’s have local Greenwich stores.

Greenwich Market(open Wednesday to Sunday) is the area’s best-known food destination, with street food stalls offering lunch from £6 to £10. It is enjoyable but not a daily-spending choice. Eating out elsewhere in Greenwich is generally more affordable than central London: a pub lunch sits between £10 and £15, casual dinners £15 to £25.

Phone, entertainment and miscellaneous

Mobile phone. SIM-only plans with generous data are widely available from £8 to £15 per month from providers including Smarty, Lebara, giffgaff and VOXI. There is no need for a contract phone unless you want a new handset.

Streaming and subscriptions. Spotify, Netflix and Disney+ all offer student tiers at 50 to 60% off. Student Beans, UNiDAYS and TOTUM unlock discounts at thousands of UK retailers.

Going out.A pint in a Greenwich pub costs £5 to £6.50; a cocktail £10 to £14. Many central London venues offer free entry before 11pm on weeknights, and student-run events at the University of Greenwich Students’ Union are far cheaper.

Gym. The University of Greenwich sports centre membership starts around £15 per month for students, which significantly undercuts commercial chains.

Smart ways to reduce student costs in Greenwich

1. Choose bills-included accommodation. Eliminates utility surprise costs and locks in your monthly figure.
2. Walk or cycle to campus. Greenwich is small enough that most accommodation is within a 15-minute walk of the Maritime Campus.
3. Apply for the 18+ Student Oyster Photocard immediately on arrival. The £20 fee pays itself back within the first month of weekly travel.
4. Buy the 16-25 Railcard, even if you do not travel often. One return to Manchester or two to Brighton will cover it.
5. Cook in bulk. Twice-weekly batch cooking is the single largest controllable saving on a student budget.
6. Apply for an NHS Low Income Scheme HC2 certificate. Eligible students get free prescriptions, dental and eye care.
7. Stack student discount apps. Use TOTUM, UNiDAYS and Student Beans alongside student-tier subscriptions for Spotify, Microsoft 365 and Apple Music.
8. Avoid Zone 1 unless you actually need it. Greenwich’s Zone 2-3 placement keeps commuting affordable when your campus and main activities are in south-east London.

Frequently asked questions