University of Greenwich Accommodation Guide

Overview: Student Accommodation at the University of Greenwich

The University of Greenwich has three main campuses: Greenwich Campus beside the Thames in south-east London, Avery Hill Campus in Eltham, and Medway Campus in Chatham Maritime, Kent. Accommodation planning depends heavily on which campus you study at, because a room that is perfect for Greenwich Campus may be inconvenient for Medway, and vice versa.

For most students, the easiest route is to compare:

• University halls for campus support, predictable bills, and a structured first-year experience.
• Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) for modern rooms, inclusive bills, social spaces, and straightforward booking.
• Private shared houses or flats for flexibility, local living, and sometimes lower monthly rent if you share well.
• Studios for privacy, usually at the highest weekly cost.

Quick take: if you want the simplest move-in, start with university halls and PBSA. If your priority is lowest monthly cost, compare Avery Hill, Deptford, New Cross, Charlton, Woolwich, Eltham, and shared houses before committing to a Greenwich studio.

Best Areas to Live Near the University of Greenwich

Greenwich Campus

Greenwich Campus is close to Cutty Sark DLR, Greenwich rail/DLR, Maze Hill rail, bus routes, and Greenwich Pier. It works well for students who want walkable access to lectures, the town centre, parks, food, shops, and riverside social life.

Avery Hill Campus

Avery Hill is in Eltham, with a greener, more campus-style feel. The university's Student Village houses more than 1,200 students, and many residents travel to Greenwich Campus using the free intercampus bus.

Choose Avery Hill if you want:

• Lower weekly rent than central Greenwich options.
• A more residential environment.
• Sports facilities, campus amenities, and a student village feel.
• Access to the university shuttle between Avery Hill and Greenwich during the week.

Medway Campus

Medway students should usually focus on Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester, and the area around Chatham Maritime. Do not book in Greenwich unless your course is actually based there; the journey between London and Medway is too long for daily student life.

University Halls: What to Know First

The University of Greenwich offers accommodation at Greenwich, Avery Hill, and Medway. University halls are useful because they typically include utilities, internet/Wi-Fi, contents insurance, security, and residential support in one package.

The university also has an accommodation guarantee for many new full-time students who meet the criteria and apply by 30 June for a September start.

Greenwich halls are the most convenient for Greenwich Campus, but they are not always the cheapest. Avery Hill is worth considering if budget matters and you are comfortable using the shuttle or public transport.

PBSA Near the University of Greenwich

PBSA is often the best balance between independence and support. You get a private provider rather than a traditional landlord, but the building is designed for students and normally includes:

• Furnished rooms with study space.
• Bills included, often covering electricity, water, heating, internet, and contents insurance.
• On-site maintenance and secure access.
• Common rooms, study areas, laundry, parcel handling, and events.
• A choice of en-suite rooms, studios, shared apartments, and sometimes twin rooms.

PBSA can be especially useful if:

• You are arriving from overseas and need a reliable move-in.
• You do not have a UK guarantor and need a provider with international payment options.
• You want to avoid setting up utilities.
• You prefer a building with reception, security, and student neighbours.

Where to Search for PBSA

For Greenwich Campus, look around Greenwich, Deptford, New Cross, Lewisham, Charlton, and Woolwich. For Avery Hill, look around Eltham, Blackheath, Sidcup, and Welling. For Medway, stay focused on Chatham Maritime, Chatham, Gillingham, and Rochester.

When comparing PBSA, do not compare weekly rent alone. Check:

• Contract length: 39, 40, 44, 45, 50, or 51 weeks changes the total price.
• Room type: shared bathroom, en-suite, studio, or apartment.
• Bills cap: some "bills included" contracts still have fair-usage limits.
• Laundry cost and whether gym access is free.
• Commute at 9am, not only late at night.
• Cancellation policy if your visa or university place changes.

Private Renting and Shared Houses

Private renting around Greenwich gives you more choice but more responsibility. The university partners with Studentpad, where students can search for bedsits, flats, shared houses, lodgings, university hall rooms, and private hall rooms.

Private rentals can be good if you:

• Already have friends to share with.
• Want a specific area or a longer tenancy.
• Prefer a house over a student building.
• Can manage bills, cleaning, repairs, deposits, and guarantor checks.

They are riskier if you are booking remotely, have never rented in the UK, or need certainty before arriving. In those cases, PBSA or halls are usually safer.

Private Renting Checklist

Before paying money, confirm:

• The property address exists and you have seen a live viewing or trusted video viewing.
• The landlord or letting agent is legitimate.
• The deposit will be protected in a government-approved scheme.
• The contract names all tenants and explains rent, bills, break clauses, and notice periods.
• You know who handles repairs.
• The inventory is detailed before move-in.
• You understand Right to Rent requirements if renting privately in England.

Accommodation Costs and Monthly Budget

London pricing varies sharply by room type. A shared room or halls room in Avery Hill can be much cheaper than a studio near Greenwich town centre.

Budget warning: A room that is £40 per week cheaper may not save money if it adds regular DLR, rail, or taxi costs. Compare the total monthly cost, not just rent.

Transport for Greenwich Students

Greenwich Campus is unusually well connected for a campus outside central London. Students commonly use:

• DLR from Cutty Sark or Greenwich.
• National Rail from Greenwich or Maze Hill.
• Buses across south-east London.
• Walking and cycling between Greenwich, Deptford, and New Cross.
• Free university intercampus bus between Greenwich and Avery Hill during weekdays.

TfL's adult bus Hopper fare allows unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour for £1.75, and an 18+ Student Oyster can reduce eligible weekly, monthly, and longer-period travelcards or bus/tram passes. If you mainly live and study around Greenwich, you may spend much less than a student commuting daily across Zones 1-4.

Step-by-Step Booking Timeline

Scam Prevention and Safety

Student housing scams are common in London because demand is high and many students book from overseas.

Red flags include:

• Pressure to pay before a viewing or contract.
• Rent that is far below nearby listings.
• A landlord who refuses video calls or official paperwork.
• Requests for bank transfer to a personal account with no receipt.
• Fake "holding deposit" urgency.
• No clear address or mismatched photos.

Safer options:

• Use university halls, recognised PBSA providers, or the university's Studentpad route.
• Search the address and provider independently.
• Never rely only on social media messages.
• Ask the accommodation team before paying if something feels wrong.

International Student Guide and Right to Rent

If you live in university halls, Right to Rent checks are generally not required in the same way as private renting. If you rent privately in England, landlords must usually check that every adult tenant has the legal right to rent before the tenancy starts.

International students may prove this using:

• A UKVI share code.
• Eligible immigration documents.
• A passport or other documents depending on nationality and status.

Private landlords should apply checks consistently and must not discriminate. If your immigration status is time-limited, checks normally happen close to the tenancy start date, so plan this into your booking timeline.

Tenancy Agreement Cheat Sheet

Read the full agreement before signing. Pay particular attention to:

• Rent amount: weekly or monthly, and whether it is paid in instalments.
• Contract length: 39 weeks versus 51 weeks can change total cost dramatically.
• Deposit: amount, protection scheme, and refund conditions.
• Guarantor: UK guarantor, international guarantor, rent upfront, or third-party guarantor service.
• Bills: what is included and whether usage caps apply.
• Council tax: full-time students are usually exempt, but mixed households need care.
• Repairs: how to report issues and expected response times.
• Break clause: whether you can leave early.
• Subletting: usually restricted or banned.
• Inventory: the evidence used for deposit deductions.

What to Pack vs What Is Usually Provided

University halls and PBSA usually provide basic furniture, but you still need personal items.

Do not overpack kitchen items before you know your flatmates. It is common for shared kitchens to end up with six kettles and no usable cupboard space.

Accessibility and Special Requirements

The University of Greenwich gives priority consideration to students with disabilities, serious medical conditions, care experience, and some specific course or placement needs. The university says its accommodation includes accessible rooms and flats, and students can request adaptations where needed.

If you have a disability, medical condition, mobility requirement, care-leaver status, sensory need, or equipment requirement:

• State it clearly on your accommodation application.
• Contact Accommodation Services early.
• Speak to Student Wellbeing or disability support where relevant.
• Provide medical or supporting evidence if asked.
• Ask about room location, lift access, adapted bathrooms, fire alarms, fridge/medication storage, and summer accommodation if needed.

Do this before room allocation, not after arrival, because the most suitable rooms are limited.

Final Advice

For Greenwich Campus, the strongest shortlist is usually Greenwich halls + PBSA in Greenwich/Deptford/New Cross + value options in Avery Hill, Charlton, or Woolwich. For Avery Hill, prioritise Eltham and the Student Village. For Medway, stay near Chatham Maritime rather than booking in London.

The best accommodation choice is the one that fits your campus, budget, commute, and support needs. For many students, PBSA or halls are worth the premium because they reduce uncertainty, especially in the first year or when arriving internationally.