- Try to organise your viewings for accommodation by area to help save on costs, and to make it easier to compare properties within the area.
- Keep an eye out for transport links, convenience stores and other places that are important for you to have near your accommodation.
- Look out for any mould, damage and exposed wires. Does the property look secure (locks, secured windows etc)? What furniture does the accommodation come with? Is this in good condition?
- Don’t feel pressure to make a decision on the spot and take someone with you for a second opinion if you want one.
Finding Accommodation
It can be daunting starting your search for accommodation in London and the rental market can move quickly.
Whether you are looking for dedicated student halls, private rentals or a house share with other HSU students, we would like to offer some tips for things to think about and places to start your search.
GoBritanya Student Accommodation
GoBritanya is a leading student accommodation provider, offering high-quality living spaces since 2013. With a strong focus on service excellence, flexibility, and student well-being, GoBritanya ensures a comfortable and hassle-free stay for students in London. Stays range from 2 to 51 weeks.
Special offer of £20 off rent per week, code HSU2026 for 37 weeks or above.
Viewings for Private Rental
Top Tips
Authenticity
Check the accreditations and memberships that
your prospective landlord or letting agent holds.
Ones to look out for include:
- ARLA (Association of Residential Letting Agents)
- NALS (National Approved Letting Scheme)
- RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors)
- TPO (The Property Ombudsman)
You can also check them against the Mayor’s
Rogue Landlord and Agent Checker to ensure they
haven’t been previously fined or prosecuted for
housing law offences.
Double check
Prior to signing any contracts, make sure that
you understand the full terms and conditions
of the contract. Enquire and ask questions if
there is anything that you are unsure of, and
make sure the contract reflects what you and
the letting agent have spoken about. Always get
a family member or friend to double check the
contract before signing anything.
Budget
You like the property but does it fall within your
budget? Are there any additional costs you need
to consider? It might be helpful to create a draft
budget at this stage which includes rent, water,
gas, electricity, broadband, contents insurance
and TV Licence.
These are all the basic essential costs associated
with running a home. If you are sharing
accommodation with non-students you may
also be liable to pay council tax.
Remaining objective
Remain objective throughout the process of
finding the right accommodation for yourself. If
you’re sharing with others, ask yourself whether
you could live with those people. Good friends
may not always make the best of flatmates!
Housing Hand
Housing Hand is a rent guarantor service, designed to assist students in securing rental accommodation without needing to rely on family or friends. Great if you are international and you don’t have a UK guarantor which some landlords or estate agents request.
Starting your search
The following sites all offer private student accommodation and are a good place to start your search.
Please note that the HSU is not affiliated with these sites and has not vetted the properties listed. You should always do your research before signing any contracts or paying a deposit.
Support for students with a disability
Landlords must treat you equally and must make reasonable adjustments to accommodation.
It is unlawful for them to treat you less favourably, such as by requesting higher deposits and/or rent.
Accommodation Facebook Group
To find other students looking for accommodation, a housemate or a room to rent, or just to seek accommodation advice from other HSU students who have been through the process, join the HSU Accommodation group (formally UCO) on Facebook.
Getting around
If you are looking for accommodation with good transport connections to the HSU London Campus check out the TFL Journey Planner tool.
Our nearest stations are:
- Borough (Northern Line) – 2 minute walk
- London Bridge (Jubilee, Northern & overgound) – 10 minute walk
- Elephant & Castle (Bakerloo, Northern & overground) – 10 minute walk
Many of our students choose to live close to our HSU London Campus and travel by foot or bike to save on travel costs, but if you need to use public transport there are still lots of ways to make savings.
Apps, services and discounts
- Apply for a discounted Oyster card by visiting tfl.gov.uk/student
- Use apps such as Citymapper to help plan your journey
- Hire a bike from £2 per day from tfl.gov.uk/cycling
- Apply for a 16-25 or 26-30 railcard for discounted journeys
Health Sciences University is seeking additional Lay Members to join its Institutional Research Ethics Committee (IREC). This is a voluntary, unpaid role, open to members of the public. You do not need any experience of research or of university committees to take part.
Health Sciences University has become one of 50 founding signatories to the UK Government’s new Women in Research Charter, launched by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology on 1 July 2026.
Health Sciences University (HSU) joins other universities across the South including the University of Portsmouth, Southampton Solent University, the University of Chichester, Arts University Bournemouth and the University of Winchester, to create a Shared Virtual Technology Transfer Office (SV-TTO) - a first-of-its-kind collaboration for the Wessex region.
Health Sciences University (HSU) and UK Management College (UKMC) and have announced a new academic partnership that will expand access to high-quality higher education and create new opportunities for students across the north of England.
HSU graduate Ben Samways studied BSc (Hons) Sport, Exercise and Health Science before progressing into strength and conditioning with an MSc at Bournemouth University.
HSU graduate Nikita completed BSc Clinical Exercise Science before progressing to an MSc in Health Education and Promotion and a PhD in Tobacco Control at Maastricht University in the Netherlands.
