University of Roehampton London Accommodation Guide

Overview: Student Accommodation at Roehampton

The University of Roehampton London sits on a green campus in southwest London, between Putney, Wimbledon, Richmond and Barnes. That location shapes the housing search: students get a quieter, residential base than central London, but can still reach Waterloo, Hammersmith, Clapham Junction and the wider city by bus, rail and Tube connections.

For most new students, the strongest starting point is Roehampton's own on-campus accommodation. It is unusually practical for London because rooms are on campus, contracts are often shorter than private rentals, and the published prices are competitive against nearby shared rooms and PBSA.

Fast takeaways

• Best first choice: on-campus Roehampton halls if you want convenience, community and predictable costs.
• Best PBSA alternative: Putney, Wandsworth, Hammersmith, Fulham, Wimbledon or Kingston, depending on commute and budget.
• Best private rental areas: Roehampton, Putney, Barnes, Southfields and Wimbledon.
• Main cost range: about £146-£240 per week for many official 2025/26 Roehampton rooms, with some twin rooms advertised from £115 per week.
• Key deadline: Roehampton advertises a guaranteed room for September 2026 students who apply by 30 June 2026 and meet the terms.
• Deposit: the university asks for a £250 deposit to secure a room.

Why PBSA Still Matters Near Roehampton

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation, or PBSA, is often the easiest route for students who want a private ensuite, studio, bills included and a professionally managed building. Around Roehampton, however, the decision is more nuanced because the university's own campus rooms already provide many PBSA-style benefits.

PBSA is worth considering if you:

• want a studio rather than a room in a shared flat;
• prefer a building closer to Putney, Wandsworth, Hammersmith, Fulham, Kingston or Wimbledon;
• need a longer contract over summer;
• want larger social spaces, gyms, cinema rooms or study lounges;
• are booking late and campus rooms are unavailable.

On-campus halls are often better if you:

• want to walk to lectures;
• want the lowest practical London student housing cost;
• prefer a shorter academic-year contract;
• want university support, security and student-only living;
• are new to London and want a simple first-year setup.

Accommodation Options Compared

Monthly figures are rounded planning estimates based on 2025/26 Roehampton hall rates, current southwest London listings and typical London student living costs. Always compare the weekly rent, contract length, bills and deposit rather than headline price alone.

Roehampton On-Campus Halls

Roehampton's accommodation is spread across its college-based campus, so students can stay close to the library, teaching buildings, gym, cafes, shop and green spaces. The university states that rooms are furnished and that WiFi, utility bills, contents insurance and laundry allowance are included in fees.

Published examples include:

The university also advertises quiet flats, single-sex flats, postgraduate/mature student options and accessible rooms where available. Students with specific requirements should make these clear early rather than waiting for allocation.

Best Areas to Live Near the University of Roehampton

Roehampton

Best for: shortest commute, lower rent than central London, simple student life.

Living in Roehampton puts you closest to campus and can reduce transport costs. The local private market includes rooms in shared houses and flats, often in SW15. It is quieter than Putney or Wimbledon, so it suits students who want a residential base and easy campus access.

Putney

Best for: social life, shops, restaurants and transport.

Putney is one of the most popular off-campus choices. It has Putney High Street, river walks, supermarkets, gyms, pubs, cafes and National Rail or District line access nearby. Expect higher rents than Roehampton, but better evening and weekend convenience.

Barnes

Best for: quiet streets, green space and rail to Waterloo.

Barnes is close to campus and has a village feel. It works well for students who want calmer surroundings and quick access to Barnes station, but rents can be high and nightlife is limited.

Southfields

Best for: District line access and shared houses.

Southfields gives students a practical route into central and west London via the District line, plus shared rental options. It is a good compromise if you want more Tube access than Roehampton but do not need to live on Putney High Street.

Wimbledon

Best for: transport, shopping and students wanting a larger town centre.

Wimbledon has strong rail, tram and Tube connections, plus a wide rental market. The trade-off is commute time: check the bus route to campus before signing.

Transport and Daily Commute

Roehampton is not on a Tube line, so bus and rail planning matters. The university's main campus address is Roehampton Lane, London SW15 5PU. Official travel guidance highlights:

• Buses: frequent services stop near the main entrance, with around 21 buses an hour advertised by the university.
• Rail: Barnes station is the nearest rail station, with services toward Putney, Clapham Junction, Vauxhall and London Waterloo.
• Tube connections: students commonly connect by bus to Putney, Hammersmith, Shepherd's Bush, Southfields or Wimbledon.
• Cycling: useful for Putney, Barnes, Wandsworth and Wimbledon if you are confident on London roads.

For travel discounts, the 18+ Student Oyster photocard can give eligible London students 30% off adult-rate Travelcards and Bus & Tram Pass season tickets. Pay-as-you-go is often cheaper if you live on or near campus and travel only occasionally.

Booking Timeline

Cost Planning for Roehampton Students

Roehampton can be cheaper than many London university locations because walking to class is realistic from campus halls. Private renting is less predictable because bills, travel and contract length can change the real cost.

Budget monthly student plan

• Rent in campus halls or budget shared room: £630-£850
• Food and groceries: £230-£320
• Public transport: £0-£70 if living close; more if commuting
• Mobile plan: £15-£35
• Social, gym, clothes and extras: £120-£220

Comfortable monthly student plan

• Ensuite hall, PBSA or better shared room: £900-£1,300
• Food and groceries: £350-£450
• Public transport: £70-£120
• Social, subscriptions and extras: £220-£350

Scam Prevention and Safety

London's rental market moves quickly, and students are often targeted with fake listings. Be cautious if a landlord pressures you to pay before viewing, refuses video calls, uses only messaging apps, or offers a rent that is far below the local market.

Before paying any money:

• check that the property address exists and matches the advert;
• view in person or request a live video tour;
• never pay deposit money by gift card, crypto or informal transfer;
• ask which deposit protection scheme will be used;
• confirm whether bills, council tax and broadband are included;
• get the tenancy agreement before transferring holding deposit or rent;
• use official university accommodation channels for halls.

For safety, Roehampton states that its campus accommodation has 24/7 security, campus wardens and flat reps. In private housing, check locks, window security, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms and the route home after dark.

International Student Guide and Right to Rent

International students should separate student accommodation from private renting.

For university halls or student accommodation, Right to Rent checks may not be required in the same way. For private rentals in England, landlords must check that all adult tenants can legally rent before the tenancy starts. GOV.UK guidance says checks must be done for tenants aged 18 or over and should be applied consistently, not only to international students.

You may need:

• passport or eligible immigration documents;
• a GOV.UK Right to Rent share code if you use digital immigration status;
• date of birth for the landlord's online check;
• visa decision details if your status is still being processed;
• proof of student status or enrolment for landlord referencing.

Do not leave this until move-in week. If your visa is delayed, contact the accommodation provider early; Roehampton also advertises a risk-free policy for university accommodation where students do not achieve required grades or a visa is not granted, subject to terms.

Tenancy Agreement Cheat Sheet

Before signing any private tenancy, check these points:

What to Pack vs What Is Provided

Roehampton says rooms normally include a bed, desk, chair, shelving and wardrobe, with shared kitchens including items such as a microwave, kettle, oven, air fryer, toaster, iron, ironing board, hoover, mop and bucket.

Usually bring

• bedding, duvet, pillows and mattress protector;
• towels and toiletries;
• laundry detergent;
• clothes hangers;
• basic crockery, cutlery and pans if not supplied in your flat;
• extension lead with surge protection;
• medicines and copies of prescriptions;
• passport, visa documents and university paperwork;
• small personal items that make the room feel settled.

Do not rush to buy

• large furniture;
• kettles or toasters before checking kitchen rules;
• candles or prohibited electrical items;
• expensive storage until you know the room layout.

Accessibility and Special Requirements

Roehampton says it has rooms with adapted facilities and can discuss further adjustments. The university advises students who need accommodation adjustments, such as an ensuite, ground floor room, lift access or physical access adaptations, to contact Disability Services as early as possible.

Good steps:

• contact Disability Services before accommodation allocation;
• explain practical requirements, not just diagnosis labels;
• ask whether a room viewing is possible;
• check routes from room to teaching buildings, laundry, food and transport;
• ask about wet rooms, lift access, hearing support or emergency evacuation plans if relevant.

Some Roehampton buildings are heritage or listed, so step-free access can vary. Early contact gives the university more time to match room, college and teaching needs.

Final Advice

For the University of Roehampton London, the most student-friendly route is usually on-campus halls first, PBSA second, private renting third. That order works because Roehampton's campus accommodation is close, furnished, bills-inclusive and comparatively affordable for London.

If you want the best balance of price and convenience, apply for halls early. If you want independence or a studio, compare PBSA in Putney, Wandsworth, Hammersmith, Wimbledon and Kingston. If you rent privately, treat the contract length, bills and commute as seriously as the rent figure.