When you have finally chosen which MBA programme will be the right one for you, perhaps the next most difficult decision is choosing where to live. There are so many different options to choose from— University affiliated halls, privately rented accommodation, moving into an already established house share or perhaps living with your family who are already based in the area.

Let us look at some of the options and the benefits:

1. Halls of residence

For many people, moving into postgraduate halls of residence is the right option. These are normally within walking distance of campus, include most bills and for many international students who have not lived in London before, it makes an ideal first base to settle into the unfamiliar city.

Aishwarya Alshi, Full-time MBA (2025) lives in iQ Student Accommodation. She says, "The strategic location of the hall has been beneficial in my MBA experience. With just a 15-minute walk to school, the proximity to campus has significantly reduced my commute times and saved considerable transportation expenses.

Another compelling aspect of living in halls is the affordability it offers, especially in a city like London. The discounted rates offered through the university make it an even more attractive option.

Living in halls has been instrumental in expanding my social circle and exploring life beyond the campus. This living arrangement has opened doors to diverse social networks, enabling me to interact with people from diverse backgrounds, each contributing distinctive perspectives and rich life experiences."  (Read her full experience here).

Most postgraduate halls of residence are single occupancy only, but the University of London has couples and family housing available at International Hall. These halls are available for City students to apply.

2. Shared house

Perhaps you don’t want halls of residence but do still want to live with other people then the rental of a room within a shared house of other students or tenants might be the right option. City, University of London have enlisted the services of the University of London Housing Services (ULHS) who run a private housing service for many students in London.

The ULHS can offer advice to students on how to find accommodation, which areas to consider, what the options are, pricing and more. They have produced a London Student Housing Guide which has a vast amount information on how to search and secure housing.

City, University of London have some excellent resources and guides for people who are considering a place to live in the private sector.

3. Commuter

You don’t have to live in London to study on the Full-time MBA. Over the past few years, people have commuted in by train from cities such as Cambridge, Brighton and Royal Tunbridge Wells. Those students mentioned that this travel allowed extra time for studying. However, keep in mind this might mean occasional early starts as some classes may start at 9am. This can be an expensive option as train travel in the UK is quite pricey, but regardless of whether you are regularly commuting or not, we recommend one of the first things you should do when you start the programme is to apply for a student railcard as the discounts offered are significant and it allows you to explore out of term time.

Thomas Maynell, Full-time MBA (2025) commutes to the School from Essex. He says, "I have a young family so the commute makes sense so that my children can have a good balance for their school life. Commuting has given me time to unwind and read the course materials before and after class and gives me a good separation between school and home life."

Whether you move into University affiliated accommodation within walking distance of campus or privately rent a house a little further afield with your family and commute in, the MBA Recruitment and Admissions team would be happy to give you informal advice to help you decide which is the right option for you.