Accommodation:

Residential halls:

LSE guarantees first-year undergraduate students accommodation so long as you apply before the deadline.

Accommodations range from LSE-run residential halls to intercollegiate halls that are available for all University of London students. School-based halls are a great place for meeting fellow LSE students, who could become your potential flatmates when you move out to private accommodations. For a list of all the residential halls, click here!

Once you have received an offer from the school, create an account with Hallpad to select your preferred accommodation. A list of the residential halls can be found here. Some of the halls only cater to undergraduates or graduates, while others take in both. Do take these factors into consideration before applying:

1. Duration of contract

Contracts run from 31 weeks to 50 weeks. If you do take up shorter contracts, it is likely that they will not allow you to stay in the halls during the 3-month summer break as well as month-long Christmas and Easter vacation. Those doing a 12-month master’s or postgraduate program might want to consider taking up the full 50 weeks contract that allows them to stay on for close to an entire year.

2. Catering options

There are catered and self-catered halls. Catered halls usually provide at least one meal a day (typically dinner) for seven days a week throughout the entire school year. This is a convenient solution to save time and effort though rent prices tend to be slightly higher than self-catered halls.

Most halls do not provide bed sheets, blankets, pillows and pillowcases. It is highly advisable to buy these items after arriving (they're affordable). Two of the cheapest places to buy homeware would be Argos or Primark.

Shared flat/apartment

It is common for second- or third-year students to move out to live in a shared flat or house. To rent a flat as a student, landlords often require students to produce a copy of their visa, bank statement, evidence of a UK guarantor as well as an upfront rental payment of 6- to 12-months.

One portal to start finding for potential flatmates from LSE would be the LSE Studentpad. Other popular sites that the general population uses to find flats would be Spareroom, Roomster and Rightmove. Accommodation for Students is one platform that attempts to pair landlords with tenants.

There are numerous aspects and costs to look out for when viewing houses. LSE has put together a checklist that would help you when you with your big move: http://www.lse.ac.uk/lifeAtLSE/accommodation/privateHousing/findingPrivateHousing/viewing.aspx

There are also numerous privately owned student halls scattered throughout London. Although rents tend to be more expensive, their rooms are often of higher quality, with many offering en-suite rooms and studios. Most of the bills and all utilities are included within the rent and a wide range of amenities is usually offered, including 24-hour reception, launderette and gym. Some of these accommodations do not require a UK-based guarantor. The University of London group has put together a list of private halls that have registered with them (http://www.housing.lon.ac.uk/find-accommodation/registered-independent-halls-residence)

Should you have a lot of things to move into your new accommodation, AnyVan is the way to go! AnyVan allows you to relocate smoothly and affordably.

Flying Chalks’ tip: In times of emergency or when you find yourself homeless, visit the Shelter for some quick, good advice!