Updated for 2026 · 9 minute read
Student Accommodation Near University of Greenwich (2026)
The short answer
First-year students at the Maritime Campus typically choose between four university halls (£146 to £230+ per week, bills included), private purpose-built student accommodation (£280 to £550+ per week, bills included), or shared private rentals (£700 to £1,200 per month plus bills). Walking distance to campus, 51-week contract terms and council tax exemption are the three factors that matter most when comparing options.
Where University of Greenwich students actually live
The University of Greenwich has three campuses: the main Maritime Campus on the Old Royal Naval College site in Greenwich, Avery Hill Campus in Eltham, and a Medway Campus in Chatham, Kent. The accommodation market discussed here applies to Maritime Campus students. If you are based at Avery Hill or Medway, separate halls and a free university shuttle bus serve those sites.
For Maritime Campus, there are three realistic paths:
- University halls of residence — managed directly by the university, prioritised for first-year undergraduates, with the strongest first-year social environment.
- Private purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) — modern buildings designed for students, all-bills-included, with longer contracts that often bridge the summer.
- Private rental — a room in a shared house or flat through the open rental market, requiring deposits, referencing and usually a UK-based guarantor.
Most first-years pick halls. Second years and postgraduates more often move to PBSA or private rental. International students arriving before the academic year starts typically choose PBSA for its 51-week contracts and simpler booking process.
University of Greenwich halls of residence
Four halls serve Maritime Campus students directly, all within walking distance of the Old Royal Naval College. All include water, electricity, heating, Wi-Fi and contents insurance in the rent. A £400 advance deposit is required to secure a room, and on-campus gym membership at Greenwich is included.
Cutty Sark Hall
The most central of the four halls, located directly above Cutty Sark DLR station in the heart of Greenwich. 230 en-suite study bedrooms in shared, self-catering flats. Shops, supermarkets and the Maritime Campus are all minutes away on foot. Cutty Sark Hall sells out first, every year.
Daniel Defoe Hall
The largest of the four with 357 en-suite rooms, including a mix of shared flat configurations, studios and two-bedroom studio flats for couples or pairs. Standard en-suite rooms typically sit at the upper end of the university hall price band. Located next to Greenwich DLR with direct access to Bank in around 20 minutes.
Devonport House
123 en-suite rooms reserved specifically for postgraduate students and those aged 25 and over, opposite the Maritime Campus. The quietest of the four halls, suiting researchers and mature students who prefer fewer freshers' week disruptions.
McMillan Student Village
Shared flats and studios about a fifteen minute walk from Greenwich town centre, with a large common room serving all residents. Sits at the lower end of the university price band, making it the most affordable of the Maritime-served halls.
The accommodation guarantee
The University of Greenwich guarantees a place in halls to new first-year undergraduates who firmly accept their offer by the published deadline and apply to accommodation by a specific date (usually late June or early July). Outside that guarantee, allocation is first-come, first-served and Cutty Sark Hall typically fills before the end of the application window.
Private purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA)
Private PBSA buildings are designed specifically for students, with studios, en-suite rooms and shared flats. Contracts almost always run 51 weeks, covering the academic year plus summer, and bills are nearly always included. Quality of finish is generally higher than university halls, though without the dedicated residential support staff.
The main private PBSA providers serving Maritime Campus students include Greenwich Student Collective, iQ Student Accommodation, Unite Students, Cube Greenwich and Chapter Lewisham. They overlap in market positioning but differ significantly in location, building scale and price point.
| Provider | Format | Approx. £/week | Walk to Maritime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwich Student Collective | En-suite studios | £390 to £546 | 5 to 10 min |
| iQ Flinders House | En-suite, studios | £367 to £550 | 25 to 30 min |
| Unite Students (Greenwich area) | En-suite, studios | £297 to £450+ | Varies by site |
| Cube Greenwich | En-suite studios | £375 to £485 | 15 to 20 min |
| Chapter Lewisham | En-suite studios | £492 to £503+ | ~25 min walk |
Indicative ranges for 2026/27 contracts based on aggregated provider listings. Always confirm current prices and exact walking times with the provider before booking.
Greenwich Student Collective
61 modern studios in central Greenwich, within a 5 to 10 minute walk of the Maritime Campus. All studios are en-suite with private kitchenette, designed specifically for students rather than retrofitted from another use. Building amenities include a gym, cinema room, gaming room, study lounge, social kitchen, courtyard and outdoor terrace. All bills are included, contracts typically 44 to 51 weeks. The closest dedicated PBSA building to the Maritime Campus by walking distance.
iQ Flinders House (Bear Point)
A larger building in Bear Point, North Greenwich, with bronze, silver and gold studio tiers plus en-suite rooms. Modern facilities including a gym and extensive social spaces. The main consideration is location: Bear Point sits closer to North Greenwich Tube and Ravensbourne University than to the Maritime Campus. A walk to the Maritime Campus takes roughly 25 to 30 minutes, or you can take the Jubilee line to Canary Wharf and the DLR back — adding around 20 minutes once interchanges are factored in. Better suited to Ravensbourne or UCL Greenwich students than to University of Greenwich students whose timetable is entirely on the Maritime Campus.
Unite Students (Greenwich-area)
Unite is the UK's largest student accommodation provider, with multiple buildings across greater London. Several of them are listed as suitable for University of Greenwich students. The variation in price reflects the variation in location: properties closer to Canary Wharf or Canada Water sit in the upper band, while properties further out can be more affordable but add commute time. When comparing, verify the specific building's distance to the Maritime Campus rather than relying on a generic "Greenwich" label.
Walking distance to the Maritime Campus
The Maritime Campus is on the Old Royal Naval College site, on King William Walk in central Greenwich. Walking times from common accommodation areas:
- Cutty Sark DLR / Cutty Sark Hall — 3 to 5 minutes
- Central Greenwich / Greenwich Market — 5 to 10 minutes
- Greenwich DLR / Daniel Defoe Hall — 10 to 12 minutes
- Maze Hill station — 10 to 15 minutes
- McMillan Student Village — about 15 minutes
- Bear Point / iQ Flinders House — 25 to 30 minutes
- North Greenwich / O2 — 30+ minutes (most students take the Jubilee line)
- Lewisham — 30 to 40 minutes by bus
Times are estimates from Google Maps and can vary by exact entrance. Cycle times are typically half the walking time for the same route. The Maritime Campus itself does not have on-site student parking; cycle storage is available across the site.
Private rentals around Greenwich
Private rental is less common for first-year University of Greenwich students but does suit second years, postgraduates and groups of friends planning to live together. Expect to pay £700 to £1,200 per month for a room in a shared house in Greenwich, Lewisham or Deptford, plus a five-week deposit, referencing fees and a UK-based guarantor.
International students without a UK guarantor have three typical options: pay six to twelve months of rent upfront, use a private guarantor service such as Housing Hand, or check whether the university operates a partnership guarantor scheme for that specific year.
Council tax exemption for full-time students is automatic in halls and PBSA but must be applied for manually in private rental, via the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Every full-time student in the household must apply individually with a council tax certificate from the university.
When to apply and book
The timing differs significantly between paths:
- University halls: portal opens in late January or early February for the following September. Apply immediately after firmly accepting your offer. The accommodation guarantee for first-years runs to a deadline in late June or early July.
- Private PBSA: bookings for the 2026/27 academic year typically open in November 2025. Studios closest to the Maritime Campus sell out earliest, often by April or May. Larger studios and premium tiers stay available longer.
- Private rental: the rental market runs continuously, but availability peaks for student tenancies in February through May, when contracts for the following September are commonly listed.
International students should err on the side of booking earlier. PBSA providers accept bookings without a UK guarantor, while private rental and (in some configurations) university halls require one.
What is included by default
Standard inclusions differ between the three paths:
| Item | UoG halls | Private PBSA | Private rental |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water, electricity, heating | Included | Included | Separate |
| Wi-Fi | Included | Included | Separate |
| Contents insurance | Included | Usually included | Separate |
| Council tax | Exempt (auto) | Exempt (auto) | Exempt (manual application) |
| Residential support | 24/7 staff | Onsite team | None |
| Gym | On-campus included | Onsite (varies) | Separate |
| Deposit structure | £400 advance | Booking fee + advance rent | 5 weeks (or 6+ months upfront if no guarantor) |
For a fuller breakdown of monthly student spend in Greenwich, including non-accommodation costs, see our Cost of Student Living in Greenwich (2026) guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where do most first-year students at University of Greenwich live?+
Most first-year undergraduates at the Maritime Campus live in one of the four university halls of residence: Cutty Sark Hall, Daniel Defoe Hall, Devonport House, or McMillan Student Village. The university operates an accommodation guarantee for first-years who firmly accept their offer by the published deadline. Spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early matters more than the order of preference itself.
What is the cheapest student accommodation near University of Greenwich?+
University of Greenwich halls are typically the cheapest option, with shared en-suite rooms starting from around £146 per week on a 39-week contract, all bills included. Some private PBSA buildings further from the Maritime Campus (Lewisham, Deptford, Canada Water) can match this for shared en-suite rooms but rarely undercut it. The university itself describes its accommodation as the second cheapest among major London universities.
How far is iQ Flinders House from the Maritime Campus?+
iQ Flinders House is in Bear Point, North Greenwich, approximately a 25 to 30 minute walk from the Maritime Campus or a 12 minute walk to North Greenwich Tube station followed by a Jubilee line or DLR connection. It is closer to Ravensbourne University and the O2 Arena than to the University of Greenwich Maritime Campus. Always verify the exact walking time on Google Maps using the specific entrance of your accommodation.
Can I stay in University of Greenwich halls every year?+
Yes. The university confirms that students can live in halls every year of their course, including postgraduate study. Devonport House is specifically reserved for postgraduate students and those aged 25 and over. Returning students still apply each year through the same accommodation portal, with allocation based on application date.
Is private PBSA better than university halls for international students?+
Both are reasonable options. Private PBSA typically offers longer 51-week contracts that bridge the summer, larger studios with private kitchens, and a higher standard of finish. University halls offer better value, residential support staff and a stronger first-year social environment. International students who arrive before the academic year or need to stay through summer often choose PBSA for the contract flexibility.
When should I apply for University of Greenwich accommodation?+
The university accommodation portal typically opens in late January or early February for the following academic year. Apply as soon as you firmly accept your offer, ideally by the end of June, to maximise the chance of getting your preferred hall. Private PBSA bookings open earlier, often in November, and the most popular studios near campus sell out by April or May.
Are bills always included in private student accommodation?+
Almost always, yes. Purpose-built student accommodation in London is built around the all-bills-included model, covering water, electricity, heating, Wi-Fi and contents insurance in the weekly rent. Always confirm in the booking contract before signing, as a small number of properties exclude one specific bill, most commonly contents insurance.
What deposit do I need to pay for University of Greenwich halls?+
A £400 deposit is required in advance to secure your room. If paid before arrival, the room is held for two weeks from the start of your licence period. Note that rent charges begin on the licence start date, regardless of when you physically move in. The deposit is refundable at the end of the contract subject to property condition.
Which University of Greenwich hall is best for freshers?+
Most freshers choose Cutty Sark Hall for its central location and DLR access, or Daniel Defoe Hall for the larger first-year community of 357 rooms. Cutty Sark Hall sells out earliest. Devonport House is reserved for postgraduates and students aged 25 and over, so freshers cannot apply. McMillan Student Village suits freshers who prioritise lower cost over location, with a fifteen minute walk to campus.
What is the closest student accommodation to the Maritime Campus?+
Greenwich Student Collective is the closest dedicated private PBSA building to the Maritime Campus, within a 5 to 10 minute walk. Among university halls, Cutty Sark Hall is the most central, with Devonport House sitting directly opposite the campus but restricted to postgraduates and mature students. Daniel Defoe Hall is roughly 10 to 12 minutes from campus. Always verify the specific walking time on Google Maps using your accommodation's exact entrance.
Considering Greenwich Student Collective?
We are the closest dedicated PBSA building to the Maritime Campus by walking distance: 5 to 10 minutes from the Old Royal Naval College, with 61 modern en-suite studios, all bills included, gym, cinema room and study spaces. Studios for the 2026/27 academic year are now available.
View available studios →