Roehampton University Providing London’s Cheapest Accommodation
Students currently paying over £100 a week less than capital's average
A shared kitchen for students at Elm Grove Hall. Picture: Roehampton University
April 17, 2026
Roehampton University has been named the best-value place to live in London for students, according to new research that sheds light on the growing financial pressures facing young people entering higher education.
The analysis, carried out by Monzo, compared accommodation costs at 144 universities across the UK and found that Roehampton’s halls average £191 per week—the lowest in the capital and slightly below the UK average of £192. With London’s typical weekly cost sitting at £281, Roehampton comes in at almost £100 cheaper than the citywide norm.
The findings arrive at a moment of renewed scrutiny over the value of university degrees, particularly for students on Plan 2 loans, whose repayments are rising sharply. For many students and their families, the affordability of halls is becoming as decisive as course choice.
Monzo’s survey of students and recent graduates in Greater London paints a stark picture of the pressures behind those decisions. Half of students said they needed a part-time job during term time just to keep up with living costs. Nearly nine in ten said accommodation prices influenced where they chose to study. And while the average room in London costs £281 a week, students typically budgeted just £108—less than half of what they ultimately need.
The gap between expectation and reality is pushing many to rethink the traditional first-year experience. Almost a third of students surveyed said they avoided halls altogether because they were too expensive, with 30% choosing to live at home instead. Even among those who did move out, 82% reported feeling overwhelmed by accommodation costs.
Roehampton’s comparatively lower prices therefore stand out in a city where the most expensive halls—at Regent’s University and the Health Sciences University London campus—now exceed £480 per week. While Roehampton’s £191 is far from cheap, it is well below private sector rental costs in the surrounding area.,
For Roehampton itself, the findings highlight a long-standing part of the university’s appeal: its campus setting and relatively self-contained accommodation options, which have historically been more affordable than those in central London. With the area’s student population woven into the wider community—from local cafés to part-time jobs—any shift in affordability has a ripple effect beyond campus.
Monzo’s research also underscores the broader national picture. Across the UK, the average weekly cost of halls is now £190, almost double what students say they expect to pay. Many rely on part-time work, parental support, or moving back home to bridge the gap. And with London students receiving only 30% more in maintenance loans despite paying 65% more for accommodation, the financial strain is particularly acute in the capital.
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