Super cheap student accomadation in London

isthatreduced

My Daughter is hoping to study in London( Gower St, London WC1E 6ED)
I don't think shared accomadation would be suited to her and would like to find something really cheap basic,obviously not a dump.

Also not sure what she would get grant wise.
She lives at home with me in Scotland and I am on low income and a lone parent.

Really worried just don't know how she is going to manage financially.She is quite frugal and currently doesn't go out drinking(long may that continue).And is studying for her HNC.

Any advice from anyone in the same position welcome.

LunaLady

When you say shared living isn't suited to her, are you including Halls?

If you mean a 1 bed flat you are going to struggle to find anything anywhere near affordable for a student.

isthatreduced

I think halls would be ok,but not a flat share,I don't think she could cope with Parties and loud music and all that goes with shared living.

agrinnall

I think you might be surprised at just how well your daughter will be able to cope with parties and loud music once she moves away from home and starts to get into student living.

"Super cheap accommodation" and "London" are not words that usually appear in the same sentence unless associated with words such as "no chance of finding any" I'm afraid. Even halls and shared accommodation aren't going to be cheap, especially if she's hoping to live anywhere near Gower Street. A quick look at UCL's accommodation fees page shows single room prices between £127 and £229 per week.

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/accommodation/residences/fees

CharlieRabbit01

isthatreduced wrote: »

I think halls would be ok,but not a flat share,I don't think she could cope with Parties and loud music and all that goes with shared living.

not all students houses are like that. I used to live with students whilst holding down a full time job and they had the occasional party and respected everyones need to for appropriate music levels.

I work at a university and i would recommend she stays in halls for the first year get to know a few people then look at moving into a house share with them for her second and third year.

You will struggle to find cheap single person accommodation, its not entirely impossible there are little gems out there just harder to find.

Fire_Fox

isthatreduced wrote: »

My Daughter is hoping to study in London( Gower St, London WC1E 6ED)
I don't think shared accomadation would be suited to her and would like to find something really cheap basic,obviously not a dump.

Also not sure what she would get grant wise.
She lives at home with me in Scotland and I am on low income and a lone parent.

Really worried just don't know how she is going to manage financially.She is quite frugal and currently doesn't go out drinking(long may that continue).And is studying for her HNC.

Any advice from anyone in the same position welcome.

"SCOTS STUDENT STUDYING IN ENGLAND

What do I have to pay?

Same as Scots Student Studying in Northern Ireland.

Can I get financial help?

Means tested student loans are available based on household income. The maximum available if you study in London is £6,690, and elsewhere £5,570. The Students' Outside Scotland Bursary (SOSB) of up to £2,150 is available to young and mature students from low income families (an additional loan of up to £810 is also available to this group). SOSB replaces part of the student loan.

Find all the details at Student Awards Agency for Scotland

More about money at Student Loans Company"
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/UniversitiesColleges/16640/financial-help


Sorry if this sounds facetious but if she wants to live alone then the cheapest way is not to study in London, it's the most expensive city in the UK. Loads of people who are not students cannot afford to live alone, they lived in shared flats and houses. It's not just the rent when you have your own place, it's the bills too. Aren't you also worried she will get lonely?

The only way you will find a studio flat at a reasonable price is miles away from public transport and/ or in a very dodgy area, probably out east or not in London at all, highly unlikely west or central. Not areas I would want my 18 year old daughter in after dark and she will spend a fortune on public transport. Presumably she will be working some evenings and weekends, not just at college in daylight hours. Student travel card is £1500 a year for zones 1-6. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tickets/14312.aspx

Last negative thought (sorry) is that she may need a guarantor for the rent on a place of her own for a landlord to be willing to take a student with no references. Can you be that on a low income? You'd need to pass a credit check which shows you could pay both your own outgoings AND her rent if needs be.

isthatreduced wrote: »

I think halls would be ok,but not a flat share,I don't think she could cope with Parties and loud music and all that goes with shared living.

Plenty of students are not party animals, for example mature students, overseas students or masters/ PhD. Certain ethnic minorities/ religious groups don't drink at all. Certain halls of residence tend to be more desirable to these groups, other halls tend to attract the archetypal British caucasian 18 year old. Halls are also inclusive of most bills and you can walk to class so saving on transport. http://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/accommodation

The only other option is to try to find a place as someone's lodger, but I do think it's a shame if she misses out on student life. There are many social activities and clubs that don't revolve around alcohol and look great on the CV, but do mean being out late sometimes which isn't really compatible with being a lodger. It's also really good for her to get to know different types of people: some of whom she might not get on with so well, some which might become lifelong friends. That is part of the process of becoming an adult.

I also notice you say what you think three times over these two posts, what does your daughter think and want with no pressure from you? She is the one who has chosen London, a city far away from home and with an incredible amount to do. That isn't obviously someone who wants to be alone during the week and come home to Mum every weekend.

Dunroamin

I'm afraid that a 1 bed flat in London is totally unrealistic for a student in London, particularly one from Scotland. Most young professionals on good salaries share houses and flats and cannot afford to rent a whole flat.

mumps

I heard about a scheme where a young person looking for somewhere to live in London is matched up with someone who is elderly who wants a bit of company and the odd job doing. The young person lives rent free in return for agreeing to sleep at the property six nights a week and spending an hour or so with the elderly person or doing some shopping or something. I can't remember what it was called but I will try to find it.

Here it is http://www.stumbleupon.com/submit?url=http%3A%2F%2Fforums.moneysavingexpert.com%2Fshowthread.php%3Ft%3D4498669&title=Super+cheap+student+accomadation+in+London

Hope it might help, I didn't get the details quite right but near enough, not bad as I heard something about it two years ago, my memory is doing better than I thought.

agrinnall

mumps, are you able to provide a link that doesn't require joining stumbleupon to see the details?

Dunroamin

Here's an article about the scheme and a linky to it - Crossroads.

agrinnall

Dunroamin wrote: »

Here's an article about the scheme and a linky to it - Crossroads.

You forgot the link, but I'm guessing it's something like this

http://crossroadscarecnl.org/what-we-offer/homeshare/

Who are Homesharers?
If you’re looking for a room and you’re willing to help an older or disabled person, then Homeshare could be for you!

• Huge savings on typical London rents
• 10 hours commitment perweek
• Quiet,comfortable environment
• Companionship in London

Homesharers come from many different backgrounds and walks of life.
There are no specific qualifications for homesharing, you just need to be caring and responsible in your outlook and willing to spend a regular portion of each week helping an older or disabled person with everyday domestic duties.
Homesharers are not required to provide personal care. In return you get your own room in the householder’s home and a share of the facilities, for a very reasonable monthly fee.