East London

Aldgate is a lively neighbourhood just on the edge of the City of London. With strong transport connections, trendy cafés, and a mix of modern and historic buildings, it’s a popular choice for students who want to be near both study and work opportunities.

The East End is one of London’s most famous districts, known for its markets, food scene, and cultural history. Brick Lane is at its heart, offering everything from vintage shops to international cuisine. Living here means being at the centre of East London’s student life.

Mile End is home to Queen Mary University of London and has a strong student presence. The area has plenty of green space, including Mile End Park, and great links into central London. It’s affordable compared to some other areas and has a friendly community feel.

Shoreditch is East London’s creative hub, full of art galleries, music venues, and quirky bars. It’s a fantastic place for students who want a buzzing social life alongside their studies. With excellent transport links, it’s easy to reach universities across London.

Spitalfields is best known for its historic market, packed with food stalls, fashion, and art. It’s a busy, energetic area that’s also close to the City, making it ideal for students who want culture, convenience, and plenty of things to do on their doorstep.

Canary Wharf is East London’s modern financial centre, with iconic skyscrapers, shopping malls, and restaurants. It’s well connected by the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Jubilee Line, and offers a very different feel to other East London neighbourhoods. Students living here enjoy a mix of modern city living and riverside walks.

Whitechapel has a rich history and is now a vibrant, multicultural area with plenty of affordable food options, markets, and cultural venues. It’s also close to universities and the new Elizabeth Line, which makes getting around London even easier.

Hoxton is a fashionable area, popular with young people for its bars, clubs, and art spaces. It’s close to Shoreditch and Old Street, making it easy to reach universities in East and Central London. For students looking for energy and nightlife, Hoxton is a great pick.

Stratford is best known for being home to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and Westfield Stratford City shopping centre. It has fantastic transport links via the Underground, Overground, DLR, and Elizabeth Line, making it one of the most connected parts of East London. It’s also more affordable compared to some central areas.

Bethnal Green offers a mix of traditional East End character and modern regeneration. With good transport links and plenty of cafés, parks, and cultural venues, it’s a student-friendly neighbourhood that balances convenience and community.

Birkbeck University of London is located in Bloomsbury and was originally established back in 1823. It’s a well-respected university that tends to rank well and is known for its Birkbeck Institute for the humanities, science, research, history, psychology, computer science and physics.

City, University of London is located in the heart of the capital and was originally founded in 1894 as the Northampton Institute. The modern university is known for the City Law School, the School of Community & Health Sciences and related fields.

Imperial College London was created by Prince Albert and merged the Royal College of Science, Royal School of Mines and City and Guilds College into one. The current college has a narrow focus on science, technology, medicine and business and is highly regarded across the world for those subjects.

King's College London is a long-established university with links to St Thomas’s Hospital in the centre of the city. It has five campuses: Strand, Guy’s, Waterloo, St Thomas’s and Denmark Hill. It is known for dentistry, oral and craniofacial sciences, life sciences, medicine, psychiatry and related fields.

London Metropolitan University, or London Met as it’s known, is a centrally located university with a great reputation. It includes the Guildhall School of Business and Law, School of Computing and Digital Media, School of Human Sciences, School of Social Professions, School of Social Sciences and the School of Art, Architecture and Design.

The London School of Economics is one of the most popular universities in London where all courses are massively oversubscribed. The university is well known for anthropology, criminology, social psychology, sociology and social policy, international relations and business-related courses.

London South Bank University is an award-winning university known for business, arts, science, engineering, health, social care and law. It has seven schools, including the School of Applied Sciences, School of Arts and Creative Industries, School of the Built Environment and Architecture, School of Business, School of Engineering, School of Health and Social Care and School of Law and Social Sciences.

Queen Mary University (QMUL) is an ancient establishment founded in 1785. It is based in east and central London with campuses across that area. The university is known for research, medicine, languages, English literature, dentistry, drama and materials technology.

The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) is based in Bloomsbury, London, and is a world-leading institution for the study of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The university is known for teaching Asian, African and Middle Eastern languages, Arabic & Islamic Studies, Oriental Studies, law and social sciences.

University College London is the second largest university in the UK after the Open University. It was also Britain’s first secular university. It is known mainly for medicine, geography, education and training, anatomy and physiology, architecture, archaeology, psychology and pharmacology.

The University of the Arts London is made up of several colleges in London and only became a university in 2003. It includes the Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts.

The Chelsea College of Arts is part of the larger University of the Arts London (UAL) and is one of the leading colleges of its type in the world. It is dedicated to the arts and provides undergraduate and postgraduate courses, offering research degrees, short courses and the opportunity to study abroad.

The University of Westminster has four campuses: The Regent Campus, The Marylebone Campus, The Cavendish Campus and The Harrow Campus. With around 20,000 undergraduates and just under 5,000 postgraduates, it’s a fairly large university and you’ll be in great company!

East London is one of the most exciting areas of the city, offering culture, nightlife, and community. Students are drawn to its diversity, affordability compared to some central areas, and the chance to experience a real mix of London life.

East London is home to several universities and campuses, including Queen Mary University of London in Mile End, University of East London (UEL), and London Metropolitan University sites. The area is also close to City, University of London and other central institutions, making it a great base for a wide range of students.

Yes, East London is generally safe for students. Like any big city, it’s best to stay aware of your surroundings, but Sanctuary Students’ accommodation includes CCTV, secure entry systems, and 24/7 support to help you feel safe and comfortable.

Popular areas for students include Shoreditch, Whitechapel, Mile End, and Stratford. Each has its own character, whether you’re looking for buzzing nightlife, academic focus, or affordable housing.

Living costs vary, but East London is generally more affordable than many central London locations. Sanctuary Students proudly offers competitively priced East London student accommodation that balances affordability with comfort and safety.

Public transport in East London is excellent, with the Underground, Overground, DLR, and Elizabeth Line all serving the area. This makes it easy to travel across London for university, work, or leisure.

The cost of student accommodation in East London depends on your choice of room and specific location. Sanctuary Students provides options from standard and double rooms in shared flats to en-suite rooms and private studios. All-inclusive rent means Wi-Fi, utilities (heating, electricity, water), and contents insurance are covered, helping you budget with ease.

We provide a range of student housing in East London, including student houses, shared flats, and private student studios. Choose from standard, double, and en-suite rooms, or go for your own studio apartment. It’s a great alternative to university halls of residence.

Sanctuary Students has accommodation options close to key East London universities and excellent transport links. Our East London student accommodation properties are well placed to give you quick access to both campus and the rest of London.

Coopers Court in Mile End is perfect for Queen Mary University of London students. Other nearby options include Don Gratton House, The Craft Building, and Lilian Knowles House, all within easy reach of East London’s universities and amenities.

Rooms come furnished with a bed, desk, chair, wardrobe, and storage. Depending on your choice, you’ll have a shared or private bathroom. Studios also include your own kitchenette, while shared flats and houses come with communal kitchens and living spaces. The rent for our East London accommodation is all-inclusive, meaning it includes all your bills such as Wi-Fi, utilities (heating, electricity, water), contents insurance, on-site laundry, maintenance support, and 24/7 security. Plus, we run a calendar of social events to help you settle in and meet new people.

Think about your budget, location, and whether you’d prefer a shared or private space. It’s also worth considering things like whether you’d like an en-suite or shared bathroom, or if you’d prefer a studio with your own kitchenette. Sanctuary Students offers a variety of flexible options, from shared flats to private studios, so you can find the right fit for your lifestyle and study needs.

Yes! Sanctuary Students is already home to many international students, and our safe, supportive accommodation makes moving to East London simpler. With all-inclusive bills and flexible payment options, it’s easy to feel at home quickly.

• Find your nearest National Health Service (NHS) Doctor or Dentist 
  NHS Services website
   

• Contacts for free legal advice
  Citizens Advice Bureau
   

• Getting out and about in London
   Transport for London
   

• Top tips for getting the most out of student life
  London and best places to visit
   

• Apply for your student visa
  Student Visas

• Information about UK Border Agency
  UK Border Agency
   

• Information about UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA)  
  UKCISA
   

• Your guide to culture shock
  Culture shock
   

• Information about the National Union of Students (NUS)
  (NUS)