Discover the best flexible rental offers on Europe's leading online platform for temporary accommodation
Birkbeck, University of London was founded in 1823 by George Birkbeck and is the only university in the UK dedicated to evening study, allowing students to combine work and academic life. Today around 13,000 students attend Birkbeck, with the main campus on Malet Street in Bloomsbury, right at the heart of London's academic quarter and just a few minutes' walk from the British Museum and Russell Square. As a member of the University of London federation, Birkbeck delivers more than 200 programmes across five schools, with particular strength in Law, Economics, Psychology and Arts, and consistently ranks among the top research universities in the country.
According to the Spotahome Rent Index 2026, here is the available accommodation in London and the average price by property type.
| Available accommodation | Total | Average price |
|---|---|---|
| Rooms in London | +900 | 1,206 € |
| Apartments in London | +1,600 | 5,216 € |
| Studios in London | +500 | 3,140 € |
| Residences in London | 9 | 1,035 € |
These four boroughs sit closest to the Malet Street campus and offer the widest selection of housing for Birkbeck students:
In these four boroughs around Birkbeck, Spotahome lists more than +800 properties. Every unit comes fully furnished and ready to live in from your first day in London.
Birkbeck is unique in the UK because most undergraduate and postgraduate programmes are taught between 6 pm and 9 pm, allowing students to work or pursue other commitments during the day. The university is part of the University of London, which means students can use libraries and student services across colleges including Senate House Library and the LSE Library. Birkbeck is highly research-intensive, ranks 18th in the UK for research excellence and runs centres in History, Psychoanalytic Studies, Geography and Cultural Studies.
Birkbeck welcomes international students through the Turing Scheme and bilateral exchange agreements with universities in Europe and beyond, the UK government's replacement for Erasmus+ for outbound mobility. Living in London while studying offers an unparalleled cultural experience: free entry to the British Museum, Tate Modern and the National Gallery, riverside walks along the Thames, weekend trips to Brighton or Oxford and a thriving theatre scene in the West End.
The Bloomsbury campus is right in the heart of central London and easy to reach from anywhere:
Most Birkbeck students live in central or north-east London for the shortest commute to evening lectures.
Prices vary by property type. The table below shows the range of average prices in Camden, Westminster, Islington and Hackney according to the Spotahome Rent Index 2026.
| Accommodation type | Average price | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| Room in a shared flat | 1,262 € - 1,396 € | 137 |
| Studio | 3,317 € - 4,250 € | 97 |
| Whole apartment | 4,968 € - 6,376 € | 611 |
The most popular option for Birkbeck students is by far a room in London: the average sits well below the cost of a studio, and bills are included in most listings.
Start your search at least three months before your move-in date. London is one of the most competitive rental markets in Europe, with peaks between June and September. Spotahome lets you book online from anywhere in the world, so you can secure your room before flying to London.
Every Spotahome listing is verified before publication: photos, descriptions and amenities are reviewed. If the apartment doesn't match the listing on move-in day, report it within the first 24 hours and our team will help with mediation, relocation or alternatives.
The deposit is typically four to six weeks of rent and is held by the landlord under UK rules. On listings tagged "Deposit protected", Spotahome refunds you directly if the landlord doesn't return the deposit within three months of move-out and you've met the contract terms. Many deposit-free listings are also available and can be filtered in the search.
No guarantor is required. You only need a valid ID or passport, proof of student or worker status, and a payment method. Once the landlord accepts the booking, they may request proof of income and a direct debit authorisation to finalise the contract.
The monthly rent on Spotahome always includes rent and any building service charges. Utilities such as electricity, gas, water and Wi-Fi are included in many listings.
Read the listing description carefully to see exactly what is covered.
Spotahome is the ideal platform for Birkbeck students because it offers:
Spotahome has been helping students find accommodation since 2014, and more than 200,000 have already booked with us.
