University dorms in the U.K. ★☆☆
How tourists can stay in cheap university housing in the U.K.
When the students are away, the tourists will play.
You can relive your college years at various British university and college dorms during school breaks.
So brush up your partying skills, dust off those dim memories of the lyrics to Louie Louie, and get ready to share the bathrooms—it's time to go back to school.
When are university dorm rooms available?
From sometime in late May or early June, when students head home for the summer, through the end of August and even into September, universities across the U.K. open their dorms up to travelers.
In some cases, you can get even rooms during school breaks and weekends as well—and, if enrollment is down, they'll rent empty dorms out year-round.
How much does a university dorm room for tourists cost?
Rates vary, from around $30 per person in a dorm, or $40–$80 for a private single, up to $45 to $150 for a private double—but can also run as little as $150 per week.
What's more, folks under 26 often pay even less (presumably because young 'uns will just blend in, so the administrators don't have to bother explaining what a bunch of old fogies are doing living on campus).
What is a university dorm room in the U.K. like?
Picture a college dorm room.
OK, that's it. It looks like a college dorm room.
Expect well-worn functional furnishings and, for the most part, twin or full-sized beds.
Some rooms have private bathrooms, but the majority share a bathroom down the hall.
There are, on occasion, nicer flats (apartments) available, but they tend to run a bit more (on the order of $100 to $200 per night).
Top University Dorms in Britain
Tiny, nice dorms rooms (with bath) in Kenginston just off Hyde Park at the Imperial College London
Dorm rooms between the British Museum and Covent Garden at the Imperial College London
Dorm rooms in Kensington just off Hyde Park at the London School of Economics
Dorm rooms between the British Museum and Covent Garden at the London School of Economics
Camden dorm behind the British Museum at the University of London
Dorm rooms in Fitzrovia at the London School of Economics
University dorm rooms near Covent Garden at the London School of Economics
Camden dorm rooms near the British Museum at the University of London
Hostel-like rooms in a university dorm in downtown Bath
- Universityrooms.co.uk - Around 3,000 accommodations available in four dozen cities across the UK in the summer season. The site was started in 2007 by an Oxford grad who—appropriately enough—dreamed it up while still in school.
- London Metropolitan University - In addition to its own dorms and residence halls, the London Metropolitan University maintains a page of links to information on other educational institutions in Lonon providing summer accommodation.
- London School of Economics - Locations in Holborn, Bloomsbury, Bankside, Butler's Wharf, Clerkenwell. Sumer lodgings listed under "Vacations" in "Life at LSE - Accomodations" section.
- University College London - Ten locations, from Bllomsbury to Fitzrovia to Camden.
- University of London - Summertime accommodations at three residence halls (plus one self-catering flat building) in Bloomsbury, plus another each in Paddington and Marble Arch.
- International Students House - Two locations in Marylebone/Fitzrovia on Great Portland Street near Regent's Park.
- Studentroomslondon.com - Network of a half-dozen student housing operations run by a private firm.
- University of Westminster - Residence halls in Marylebone, near Tower Bridge, and farther afield.
