Student Accommodation near School of Oriental and African Studies

SOAS University of London accommodation includes a wide range of private student housing options located near the university's Bloomsbury campus. Many SOAS student accommodations are within 5-15 minutes' walking distance or a short commute of SOAS, providing convenient access to lectures, libraries, and student facilities. Areas like Bloomsbury near the SOAS campus are well connected by the public transport system in London. And choosing student accommodation near SOAS University, residents are also close to popular London landmarks such as the British Museum, Russell Square, and Tottenham Court Road.

uhomes.com's SOAS University accommodations offer various room types, including studios, en-suites, non-en-suites, shared rooms, and 1-bed/multi-bed flats to suit your different budgets, needs, and preferences. All of our rooms contain cosy beds, study desks and chairs, and plenty of storage. Common amenities may include gyms, study rooms, laundry facilities, cycle storage and social spaces, depending on the property. Meanwhile, all utility bills are included in our student accommodation in London, ensuring a worry-free university life. Students can benefit from exclusive discounts and cashback offers available through uhomes.com when they book SOAS accommodations. Secure your SOAS University of London accommodations from £199/week and start your new academic journey in London.

The School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), established in 1916, is a world-leading university specialising in studies of Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. SOAS follows a two-semester academic year system, with each semester featuring 10 teaching weeks and followed by a reading week. It offers over 200 programmes across 3 faculties: the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Faculty of Languages and Cultures, and the Faculty of Law and Social Sciences. The university is particularly strong in Development Studies (ranked 2nd globally), Politics (16th), and Anthropology (19th) in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026.

SOAS attracts approximately 6,400 students from over 130 countries, with its high quality of teaching and academic excellence, over half of its students are from overseas. The university has an acceptance rate of around 44%, making it moderately competitive. International tuition fees typically range from £23,780 per year for undergraduate programmes to £25,000–£27,000 for postgraduate taught programmes, which is relatively more affordable than other top-tier universities in London. Meanwhile, SOAS also encourages overseas students to attend study abroad and exchange programmes or the summer school. If you have applied to those short programmes, you can find affordable SOAS summer accommodation with uhomes.com.

SOAS is situated in Russell Square, Bloomsbury. With its prime location in London Zone 1, SOAS students can enjoy the excellent transport links and vibrant London life. SOAS provides students advanced on-campus facilities, including one of the UK's five National Research Libraries in the UK and the Brunel Gallery displaying impressive art from the region.

SOAS does not own on-campus student halls of residence, but it offers student accommodation in central London through the University of London (UOL) halls system. Each SOAS student can apply to around 8-10 university-managed halls within walking distance or a short tube ride from the Russell Square campus. These SOAS University accommodations offer various room types, such as en-suite rooms and private studios, with weekly rents typically ranging from £185 to £430. The rent includes the basic utility bills like electricity, water, gas, Wi-Fi, maintenance, and security.

Most first-year students would like to book an on-campus SOAS student accommodation. The applications for the accommodation are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Therefore, please take note of the opening hours for SOAS University student accommodation bookings. New undergraduates are advised to apply as early as possible once the portal opens (typically mid-April).
Postgraduate students generally have a slightly later application window.

For students who miss the on-campus accommodation or prefer more independence, flexibility, and modern facilities, off-campus SOAS University student accommodation is a great alternative that is available at uhomes.com. Unlike SOAS student halls, the private student housing features higher-quality amenities, more privacy, and flexible contract lengths.

The best off-campus SOAS accommodations for students include Scape Bloomsbury, iQ Bloomsbury, Scape Kings Cross, Urbanest King's Cross, and Chapter Kings Cross. These best SOAS University of London accommodations are popular for their modern facilities, excellent security, and short commute times to the Russell Square campus (many within 5–15 minutes walking or by tube). To secure the most appropriate SOAS University accommodation, we suggest you start searching as soon as you get the offer from SOAS. uhomes.com provides detailed filters, photos, virtual tours, and direct booking support to help you find the perfect match.

Below are the best SOAS University accommodation options:

• Scape Bloomsbury
• iQ Bloomsbury
• Scape Kings Cross
• Urbanest King's Cross
• Chapter Kings Cross
• Fitzrovia Residences
• Rathbone Place
• Bloomsbury Janet Poole House
• Somerset Court
• Bss Rathbone Place

The best areas for SOAS University of London student accommodation are Bloomsbury, Holborn, Camden, King's Cross, and West Kensington. These neighbourhoods feature vibrant student life, great transport links, convenient access to the SOAS campus, and multiple accommodation choices. Below are the details for the best student areas to live near the School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS).

1. Bloomsbury

Bloomsbury is the best area for students to live near SOAS University of London. Living here, students can walk to the SOAS campus in only 2 minutes. The area is home to the British Museum, Bloomsbury Square, Russell Square, and world-class libraries. The average rent for SOAS student accommodation in Bloomsbury is around £324—£628 per week. The most popular SOAS University accommodation options in Bloomsbury include Bloomsbury Janet Poole House and Scape Bloomsbury.

2. Holborn

Holborn is also an ideal area for SOAS accommodation, it is a 12–25 minute walk or short tube ride to the SOAS campus. As the historic centre of London's legal profession, Law students living in Holborn can immerse themselves in the legal atmosphere, with Gray's Inn and Lincoln's Inn right on their doorstep. You can rent a SOAS University of London student accommodation in Holborn at around £350—£595 per week.  Herbal Hill and Kirby Street Residence are the most booked SOAS accommodation properties in Holborn.

3. Camden

Camden is the most popular area to live in for SOAS students, with a 15-25 minute tube ride from the campus. You can explore the Camden Market, known for its diverse food scene and vintage vinyl shops. In Camden, the average prices for SOAS University of London accommodation options are around £237—£350 per week. As for the best SOAS University accommodation properties in Camden, we recommend The Stay Club Camden and Camden Hawley Crescent.

4. King's Cross

King's Cross is another best area for SOAS students to live, with a 10-18 minute tube ride from the campus. The area is home to major transport hubs of King's Cross and St Pancras International stations, providing gateways to the UK and Europe. King's Cross' average rent for SOAS student accommodation properties is around £350—£550 per week. Among various SOAS University accommodation properties in King's Cross, Urbanest King's Cross and Victoria Hall King's Cross are popular choices.

5. West Kensington

West Kensington is a quiet area with a well-connected transport system, offering students a 25-40 minute tube ride to the campus. It is a neighbourhood perfect for students seeking quiet living in London and not very far from the SOAS. In West Kensington, the average SOAS accommodation fees are around £380—£600 per week.  Perfect SOAS accommodation options in West Kensington include London Munden and Lch Skyline Apartments.

The cost of living in London for SOAS students is approximately £1,600–£2,600 per month, depending on your lifestyle and accommodation choice. The rent of your SOAS student accommodation is the largest expense, but the other living expenses should also be considered. For students on budget, choosing student accommodation with bills included and the shared flats can help you save significantly. With uhomes.com, you only need to pay about £200–£430 per week for modern student accommodation (including all utility bills, super-fast Wi-Fi, and maintenance). Following is a typical weekly breakdown of additional living expenses (excluding rent):

• Food & Groceries: £60–£120 per week
• Laundry: £5–£12 per week
• Transportation (Zone 1-2 Student Oyster Card): £20–£40 per week
• Stationery & Course Books: £4–£10 per week
• Miscellaneous (phone, social activities, etc.): £30–£60 per week

Getting around the SOAS University of London is a breeze for students living at SOAS accommodations. With a well-connected transport system, navigating throughout London is convenient and effortless. Living in your SOAS student accommodation, there are various transport options within easy reach.

1. Underground: There are many underground stations close to SOAS University of London, such as Goodge Street, Warren Street and Euston Square stations, making it easy to commute to the school from your SOAS University accommodation.
2. Bus: More than 100 buses run all around the city. Students will find it easy to get to the bus stops close to SOAS University of London accommodation. The fares range from £2 to £5, and you can enjoy a 30% discount with an Oyster card.
3. Driving: Due to the serious traffic jams in London, driving is undoubtedly a challenge. As for the parking, most SOAS accommodation properties have free car parking spaces. You can also use the nearby parking garage, like A5 and A501.
4. Cycling: For students living in the accommodation near SOAS, commuting by bike is also a popular way. Meanwhile, it is effortless to find an SOAS accommodation with free bike storage.
5. Walking: Walking to the campus can save you both time and money. It is suitable for students living in an SOAS University accommodation, a stone's throw away from the campus.

SOAS University of London offers a diverse student experience, with over 100 student societies, cultural events and a central London location. Students living in accommodation near SOAS University of London can enjoy easy access to campus facilities, student societies and central London attractions.

• On-campus Student Life: SOAS offers plenty of social and sports activities, campus-wide events, and more than 100 societies for students. Student societies cover a wide range of interests, including culture, music, politics, debate and academic subjects.  Meanwhile, students can get help and support in academics, immigration, SOAS accommodation advice and more.
• Off-campus Student Life: SOAS, with its prime location in Bloomsbury, between UCL and the British Museum, giving students an unparalleled university life in Central London. Students living near SOAS can easily access Oxford Street, the West End, Brunswick Centre and King's Cross St Pancras, offering a wide range of shopping, dining and transport options. The surrounding areas of Bloomsbury, Covent Garden, Soho and Camden offer numerous restaurants, cafés, theatres and entertainment venues. For example, you can enjoy the delicious dishes in Bella Italia, a comedy night in Camden, or some drinks at Sam Smith's bar.

There are plenty of world-famous tourist attractions near SOAS University of London in Bloomsbury. Many are within walking distance, giving students easy access to London's rich cultural scene. SOAS University of London accommodation gives students opportunities to enjoy the colourful London life. Some of the most fascinating tourist attractions close to SOAS accommodation properties include: 

• British Museum (5-10 minutes walk)
• Russell Square (next to the campus)
• Senate House Library (next to the campus)
• Covent Garden (15-20 minutes walk or short tube ride).
• Camden Market (15-20 minutes by tube)
• Grant Museum of Zoology (10-15 minutes walk)

Students can also enjoy many free things to do in London, such as visiting parks, world-class museums, and vibrant local markets.

SOAS University of London offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes with a unique focus on Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The university is particularly renowned for its specialist regional expertise and critical approach to global issues. Students studying here benefit from SOAS's world-leading research and diverse, international student community.

Following are some of SOAS's strongest and most popular courses:

• Development Studies (ranked 2nd globally)
• Politics and International Studies (ranked 16th globally)
• Anthropology (ranked 19th globally)
• African Studies
• Middle East Politics / Near and Middle Eastern Studies
• International Business Law / Law
• South Asian Studies / Asian Studies
• History of Art and Archaeology
• International Relations