London is one of the most exciting student cities in the world and LSE (London School of Economics and Political Science) is one of the best and most respected universities in this great global city. LSE is an excellent choice if you want to get a degree from a world-famous university that employers everywhere know and respect.

If you’re looking to study at LSE, you can find hundreds of great options for student accommodation near LSE on Student.com, many of them only minutes away from the LSE campus on foot. We offer a wide range of different accommodation options, so whether you’re looking to share with roommates or want to live in a studio apartment all by yourself, you can find it all here.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call or message us on our live chat. Our booking consultants are always happy to help!

Where is LSE located?

The LSE campus has been located in Westminster for over a hundred years. Westminster is an area right in the heart of London and some of its most famous landmarks include Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, Palace of Westminster (Houses of Parliament) and Piccadilly Circus. So, you’ll be right in the heart of the action studying at LSE.

London as a city is undoubtedly one of the most exciting places in the world to be a student. It offers a level of multiculturalism, international atmosphere, and a range of attractions that is unrivalled by any other other city in the UK, and can only be matched by a handful of cities all over the world.

London has been consistently ranked as one of the best cities in the world for students. QS, the company that publishes the highly respected list of the world’s best universities, has been ranking the best student cities in the world since 2018 and London has claimed the top spot every year.

A world-class university in a hugely exciting global city is an amazing combination. It gives LSE students the chance to get the best possible education as well as being able to enjoy your university years to the absolute fullest.

Studying at the London School of Economics and Political Science

LSE is one of the best universities in the world. In the 2023 QS World University Rankings it was ranked as the 56th best university globally. LSE is at the very top in many subjects, ranking 3rd in the world in Social Sciences and Management and 18th in Arts and Humanities. In more specific subjects LSE was ranked 2nd in the world in Geography, 3rd in Sociology, 4th in Development Studies, 4th in Politics, 5th in History, 6th in Economics and Econometrics, 7th in Accounting and Finance and 7th in Law and Legal Studies, just to name a few.

LSE is also incredibly diverse. Almost 70% of the 12,000 students come from outside the United Kingdom, meaning you’ll be immersed in a global atmosphere from day one of your studies.

LSE is part of the Russell Group, a group of 24 prestigious public universities in the UK. It’s also unique in all of the UK in the fact that it’s the only university in the country that focuses solely on the teaching and research of social sciences. LSE offers 35 different bachelor’s programmes, over 150 master’s programmes and 35 PhD programmes.

World-leading research

As well as the teaching, also the research done at LSE is world-class. The Research Excellence Framework is a study for evaluating the impact of British higher education institutions. In the newest version of the study, published in 2014, LSE had the joint-highest percentage of its research classed as world-leading in the whole study. The REF study found that LSE is the leading research university in the UK for areas such as Business & Management, Area Studies, and Cultural & Media Studies.

Student life at LSE

LSE will give you a top-level education, but university life is about a lot more than just studying. When you’re not in class, all that London has to offer is right at your doorstep. If you want to meet and socialise with fellow students, look no further than the LSE Students’ Union (LSESU), a union by students for students.

Founded just two years after the university itself in 1897, every student automatically becomes a member of LSESU when they enrol to the university. The goal of LSESU is to help LSE students in anything they might need help with. They support students’ rights, give students confidential advice on anything they need help with, organise social events and run more than 250 clubs and societies. So, whatever you’re interested in, you’ll surely find people with similar interests.

History of the London School of Economics and Political Science

LSE was founded in 1895 by the married couple Beatrice and Sidney Webb. It joined the University of London in 1900 and acted as the university’s Faculty of Economics. LSE, like most big London universities, is still a member institution of the University of London today.

LSE has always had an international outlook, indicated by the fact that already on the eve of the First World War, about 14% of its students were from outside the UK.

During the Second World War, LSE was temporarily moved to Cambridge, where it used the buildings of Cambridge University’s Peterhouse College. The university moved back to London in August 1945, just in time to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

In 1954 LSE sociologists published a landmark study called Social Mobility in Britain, which established the study of social stratification for the next two decades.

During the 1970s no less than four economists with connections to LSE won the Nobel Prize in Economics: John Hicks in 1972, Friedrich Hayek in 1974, James Meade in 1977 and Sir Arthur Lewis in 1979.

The Saw Swee Hock Student Centre, opened in 2014, was the first new campus building in over 40 years. It was nominated for the Stirling Prize, a prestigious architecture award given every year by the Royal Institute of British Architects, and currently houses LSE Students’ Union.

Frequently asked questions about student accommodation near LSE

How do I apply for private student accommodation near LSE?

Applying for accommodation on Student.com is very easy. You can use the filters and map on this page to find just the right student home for you. Once you’ve chosen a property you like, click on ‘View rooms’ to go to the property page.

On the property page you’ll need to choose your preferred room and click ‘Enquire’ or ‘Book now’. You’ll then be asked to leave your contact details so that our booking consultants can get in touch with you. They’ll answer any questions you may have and take you through the next steps of the booking process when you’re ready to book your new home.

Why should I live in private student accommodation instead of LSE dorms?

Living in private student accommodation gives you many advantages over university halls. You can live in any part of London you like, whether you want to live within walking distance of the LSE campus or in any other part of London that you like.

You can also freely choose the room type you’d like to live in, whether you’re eager to share with roommates or would prefer to live in a studio apartment by yourself. We list all the options here, whereas with dorms you’ll often have less choice.

Many modern PBSAs (purpose-built student accommodations) are amazing homes for students. Modern, comfortable buildings with modern amenities, these properties have been built with student life in mind. Many of them feature great amenities such as in-house gyms, cinema rooms, games rooms and silent study spaces, as well as great social calendars where you’ll get to meet like-minded students and make lots of new friends.

What are the different types of rooms available?

We offer three different types of rooms in London.

Shared Room - You’ll share your bedroom with a roommate. Other living facilities are shared with inhabitants from other rooms. These are typically the most affordable rooms we list, so a great choice if you want to save some money.

Private Room – Here you get your own bedroom that is just for you. Depending on the property, your bathroom may be private or shared. Other facilities are shared with fellow students.

Entire Place – This option gives you a fully self-contained studio property. You’ll have a fully private bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette. No need to share with anyone, so this is the perfect choice if you love your privacy!

Can I live together with a friend who will also be attending LSE?

Yes, this can be arranged. Once you’ve submitted an application, log into our system and go to ‘manage your preferences’ to state that you’d like to live together. Make sure your friend also does the same and states that they want to live with you.

What bills are included in my rent?

This depends on the property you choose. Most of our accommodation options in London have all bills included in the rent, but make sure you always check if this is the case with the property you’ve chosen. You can see what bills are included on the property page. Just click on ‘View rooms’ to go to the property page of the place you’re interested in.

Are the properties fully furnished?

This depends on the property, but most of the properties we list in London are fully furnished. You can check on the property page to see if this is the case with the property you’re interested in.

Do you offer summer accommodation for LSE students?

Yes. In many of the accommodation options we list, you can book to stay in your accommodation over the summer as well.

Can I book student housing through Student.com if I am a postgraduate student at LSE?

Yes, you can book any accommodation listed on our website as long as you are a full-time student.