Student Accommodation Cambridge

Cambridge is one of the UK's leading university cities. The city is home to the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University, attracting thousands of domestic and international students every year.

The city centre features historic colleges, museums, libraries, gardens, and academic buildings. The River Cam runs through the city and remains one of Cambridge's most recognised landmarks.

The University of Cambridge follows a collegiate structure. Individual colleges are spread across the city instead of being located on a single campus. This creates a city-wide student environment where academic buildings, accommodation, libraries, cafés, and social spaces are closely connected.

Students benefit from a compact city layout. Most destinations are accessible by walking, cycling, or public transport. Cambridge also offers theatres, music venues, restaurants, sports facilities, and community events throughout the year.

The city supports both academic and personal development. Students have access to research opportunities, cultural activities, networking events, and student societies across multiple disciplines.

Choosing the right area helps students reduce commuting time and manage living costs. Each neighbourhood offers different advantages depending on university location, budget, and lifestyle preferences.

City Centre

The City Centre places students close to university buildings, libraries, shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Students living in the centre have direct access to many University of Cambridge colleges and Anglia Ruskin University facilities. Walking and cycling become the primary modes of transport because most destinations are nearby.

Popular accommodation options are student apartments, private studios, shared flats, and purpose-built student accommodation.

The City Centre suits students who prefer short commutes and immediate access to academic and social facilities.

Romsey

Romsey sits east of the City Centre and remains a popular choice among students.

The area is centred around Mill Road, which contains independent cafés, restaurants, supermarkets, and local businesses. The neighbourhood maintains a residential atmosphere while providing easy access to central Cambridge.

Many student properties consist of converted terraced houses with shared living arrangements.

Romsey offers a balance between affordability, convenience, and local amenities. Anglia Ruskin University students frequently choose this area because of its proximity to campus.

Petersfield

Petersfield lies between Cambridge Railway Station and the City Centre.

The area provides quick access to train services, local buses, shops, and restaurants. Victorian terraced houses dominate the neighbourhood, and many properties operate as student rentals.

Students benefit from shorter travel times to university buildings while maintaining easy access to regional rail connections.

Petersfield works well for students who travel regularly or want accommodation close to transport links.

Newnham

Newnham sits west of the City Centre near several University of Cambridge colleges.

The area contains residential streets, local cafés, independent shops, and access to the River Cam. Many postgraduate students choose Newnham because of its quieter surroundings.

Cycling and walking routes connect residents to university departments and city attractions.Accommodation costs in Newnham are usually higher than those in outer residential areas.

Arbury

Arbury is located north of the City Centre and offers lower accommodation costs than central Cambridge.

The neighbourhood contains supermarkets, local shops, schools, and community facilities. Housing options are there such as shared student houses and larger residential properties suitable for group living.

Bus routes connect Arbury to the University of Cambridge, Anglia Ruskin University, and the City Centre.

Students seeking affordable accommodation frequently consider Arbury because of its lower rental costs.

Cherry Hinton

Cherry Hinton is situated southeast of Cambridge.

The area offers parks, green spaces, residential housing, and a quieter environment than central neighbourhoods. Students benefit from lower accommodation costs while maintaining access to university campuses through bus services and cycling routes.

Cherry Hinton suits students who prefer a residential setting with access to everyday amenities.

Mill Road

Mill Road is one of Cambridge's most active student areas.

The street contains international supermarkets, cafés, bakeries, restaurants, bookstores, and independent retailers. Students living nearby have easy access to daily necessities and social venues.

The area attracts students because of its convenience, transport connections, and housing options.

Mill Road provides a strong community atmosphere and remains popular among both University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University students.

Castle Hill

Castle Hill is located northwest of the City Centre.

The area has a lot of historic sites, residential housing, local shops, and access to university departments. Students living here benefit from a quieter environment while remaining close to academic buildings and city attractions.

Castle Hill offers a combination of convenience and residential comfort. Many students choose the area because of its central location and access to university facilities.

Cambridge offers several accommodation options for students. The right choice depends on budget, privacy requirements, lifestyle, and preferred living arrangements.

Studio Flats

Studio flats provide complete privacy and independence.

A studio combines a bedroom, study space, kitchen, and living area within a single unit. The bathroom remains private and is not shared with other residents.

Students who prefer a quiet environment often choose studio accommodation. Postgraduate students and international students frequently select this option because it offers greater privacy and personal space.

Studio apartments usually cost more than shared accommodation because they come with private facilities.

Private Rooms

Private rooms are common in purpose-built student accommodation and shared houses.

Students receive a furnished bedroom that usually has a bed, study desk, chair, and wardrobe. Residents share kitchens and common areas with other students.

Some private rooms have en-suite bathrooms. Others have shared bathroom facilities.

This option balances privacy and social interaction. Students have their own personal space while remaining part of a shared living environment.

Shared Rooms

Shared rooms offer one of the most affordable accommodation options in Cambridge.

Students share a bedroom and common facilities with other residents. Rent costs are lower because expenses are divided among multiple occupants.

Shared accommodation suits students who want to reduce living costs and enjoy a social environment.

Many student halls and larger residential properties offer shared room arrangements.

Entire Apartments or Houses

Groups of friends often rent an entire apartment or house together.

Residents have full access to bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and communal areas. This arrangement gives students greater control over their living environment.

Splitting rent among several tenants often reduces individual accommodation costs.

Second-year and third-year students frequently choose this option after completing their first year in university accommodation or student halls.

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)

Purpose-built student accommodation remains one of the most popular housing options in Cambridge.

These properties are designed specifically for students and have features such as furnished rooms, high-speed internet, study spaces, laundry facilities, security systems, and communal lounges. Many PBSA properties have utility bills within the rent, making budgeting easier for students.

Cambridge ranks among the more expensive student cities in the UK. Effective budgeting helps students manage expenses throughout the academic year.

Most students spend between £150 and £200 per week on living expenses, excluding tuition fees. Accommodation accounts for the largest share of monthly costs.

Accommodation Costs

Accommodation costs vary according to property type, location, and facilities.

Shared Rooms

Shared rooms usually cost between £100 and £150 per week.

Private Rooms

Private rooms generally cost between £150 and £250 per week.

En-suite rooms sit at the higher end of this price range because of the added privacy.

Studio Apartments

Studio apartments typically cost between £200 and £350 per week.

The higher rent reflects the inclusion of a private kitchen and bathroom.

Entire Houses or Apartments

Students renting an entire property with friends usually pay between £120 and £250 per week each.

Costs depend on location, property size, and the number of tenants.

Food Expenses

Students usually spend between £40 and £60 per week on groceries and meals.

Popular grocery shopping locations are:

Cambridge Market Square, Aldi, Histon Road, Sainsbury's, Sidney Street, Tesco stores across the city, and Cooking at home helps reduce weekly food expenses.

Transport Costs

Cycling remains the primary mode of transport for many students.

Students using public transport typically spend between £15 and £20 per week on bus travel.

Train travel creates additional expenses depending on destination and travel frequency.

Books and Study Materials

Students should allocate approximately £20 to £30 per week for academic materials.

Course requirements influence overall spending.

Social and Personal Expenses

Entertainment, social activities, personal care products, and leisure expenses usually require an additional £30 to £50 per week.

Students who plan their budgets carefully manage living costs effectively throughout the academic year.

Cambridge offers efficient transport options for students. The city's compact layout makes daily travel simple and convenient.

Cycling

Cycling is the most popular form of transport in Cambridge.

Dedicated cycle lanes operate across the city and connect residential areas with university campuses, libraries, and commercial districts.

Milton Road and several major routes provide dedicated cycling infrastructure.

Many students use bicycles for daily travel because cycling reduces transport costs and travel time.

Bike rental services and second-hand bicycle shops operate throughout Cambridge.

Bus Services

Stagecoach East operates most bus services within Cambridge.

Bus routes connect residential neighbourhoods, university buildings, shopping districts, and transport hubs.

Important routes include:

1. Citi 1: Arbury, City Centre, and Cherry Hinton

2. Citi 2: Addenbrooke's Hospital, City Centre, and Milton

3. Guided Busway Route A: St Ives, Orchard Park, Cambridge Science Park, City Centre, and Addenbrooke's Hospital

Student travel discounts are available on selected bus passes.

Walking

Many students walk between lectures, accommodation, libraries, and social venues.

Cambridge's compact city center supports pedestrian travel. Most major destinations are within walking distance of each other.

Walking eliminates transport costs and allows students to move easily between university buildings and residential areas.

Train Services

Cambridge Railway Station connects the city with major destinations across the UK.

London is approximately 45 minutes away by train.

Direct rail services also connect Cambridge with the following:

1. London Stansted Airport

2. Norwich

3. Birmingham

4. Peterborough

5. King's Cross

6. Liverpool Street

Local buses and cycle routes connect the railway station with student accommodation areas across the city.

Cambridge's transport network supports quick and affordable travel. Cycling remains the preferred option for most students, while buses and trains provide reliable alternatives for longer journeys.

Cambridge attracts students from across the world because of its academic institutions, research opportunities, and student community.

University of Cambridge

Address: The Old Schools, Trinity Lane, Cambridge CB2 1TN, United Kingdom

The University of Cambridge is one of the oldest universities in the world. It operates through a collegiate system consisting of independent colleges spread across the city.

Students study across departments, colleges, libraries, laboratories, and research centres located throughout Cambridge. This structure creates a city-wide academic environment where student life extends beyond a single campus.

Popular student accommodation areas for University of Cambridge students are City Centre, Newnham, Castle Hill, and Petersfield

These locations provide convenient access to colleges, university departments, libraries, and transport links.

The university attracts students pursuing undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes across science, engineering, humanities, business, law, and medicine.

Anglia Ruskin University

Cambridge Campus Address: East Road, Cambridge CB1 1PT, United Kingdom

Anglia Ruskin University is a modern institution with a strong focus on practical education and career development.

The Cambridge campus sits close to the city centre and offers access to academic facilities, student services, libraries, and recreational spaces.

Students studying at Anglia Ruskin University frequently choose  to find an accommodation in Romsey, Petersfield, Mill Road and City Centre

These neighbourhoods offer short commuting times and access to shops, restaurants, supermarkets, and public transport.

The university offers programmes in business, healthcare, engineering, technology, law, arts, and social sciences.

Independent Colleges and Specialist Institutions

Cambridge also hosts specialist colleges, language schools, research institutes, and independent educational institutions.

These institutions contribute to the city's student population and create additional demand for student accommodation across Cambridge.

Students attending these organisations can find accommodation in central neighbourhoods as well as residential areas connected by bus and cycling routes.

Finding student accommodation involves more than comparing rent prices. Students also need reliable information, secure booking processes, and access to accommodation that suits their academic and personal requirements. House of Student simplifies the accommodation search process and helps students find housing that matches their needs.

Large Selection of Accommodation

House of Student offers multiple accommodation types across Cambridge, like Studio apartments, Private rooms, En-suite rooms, Shared rooms, Shared houses and Entire apartments Students can compare different properties and choose accommodation that fits their budget and lifestyle.

Easy Property Search

The platform allows students to filter accommodation by location, Price, Room type, Property features, University proximity. This helps students identify suitable accommodation quickly.

Detailed Property Information

Each listing contains important details like Rent information, Room features, Included facilities, Utility bill information, distance from universities, And Property photographs Students can compare options with confidence before making a decision.

Student Support Throughout the Process

The House of Students team assists students during the accommodation search and booking process.

Support is available for many things like property inquiries, Booking assistance, accommodation comparisons, and General housing questions. This helps students make informed decisions before securing accommodation.

Trusted Accommodation Providers

House of Students works with established landlords and accommodation providers.

Properties listed on the platform meet safety and quality standards expected by students and parents.

Local Knowledge

Students moving to Cambridge benefit from information about:

1. Student neighbourhoods

2. Transport options

3. Living costs

4. Local amenities

5. University locations

This information helps students settle into the city more quickly.