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Rochester is not a typical university city. Its centre is compact, historic and built around one of Kent's best-known high streets, with Rochester Castle and Rochester Cathedral dominating the area. Independent shops, cafés and pubs sit alongside centuries-old buildings, and several major university campuses are within easy reach across Medway.
That location makes Rochester a practical place to rent while studying at the University for the Creative Arts in Rochester or at the Universities at Medway campus in Chatham Maritime. The type of student accommodation available in Rochester varies by area. Central locations put you close to shops and transport, while Strood, The Delce and Borstal have a more residential feel.
This guide covers the main student areas, accommodation options, weekly living expenses, transport and the universities within reach of Rochester.
Rochester, which sits on the River Medway in Kent, is best known for its historic centre. Rochester Castle, with its Norman keep, stands beside Rochester Cathedral at the top end of the High Street. The High Street itself remains the centre of much of the city's day-to-day activity, with independent businesses, cafés, restaurants and traditional pubs.
The city also sits close to several higher education campuses. The University for the Creative Arts has a campus at Fort Pitt, positioned between Rochester and Chatham. Further east, at Chatham Maritime, the Universities at Medway campus brings together institutions including the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent.
This means Rochester can work well as a base for students attending more than one part of Medway. The city centre is relatively compact, and regular bus and rail services connect Rochester to Chatham, Strood, and the wider region.
The atmosphere is noticeably different from larger university cities. Rochester has an established residential community alongside its student population. The historic centre is busy during the day and at weekends, but the city does not revolve solely around university life.
For students comparing student housing in Rochester with accommodation in central Chatham or other parts of Medway, the appeal is often the location itself. You can live close to the historic centre while still being within reach of major campuses and transport links.
1 properties·From £130/week·0+ universities
Distance from city centre: 0.5 miles
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From £130/week
Private Room
Rochester is not a typical university city. Its centre is compact, historic and built around one of Kent's best-known high streets, with Rochester Castle and Rochester Cathedral dominating the area. Independent shops, cafés and pubs sit alongside centuries-old buildings, and several major university campuses are within easy reach across Medway.
That location makes Rochester a practical place to rent while studying at the University for the Creative Arts in Rochester or at the Universities at Medway campus in Chatham Maritime. The type of student accommodation available in Rochester varies by area. Central locations put you close to shops and transport, while Strood, The Delce and Borstal have a more residential feel.
This guide covers the main student areas, accommodation options, weekly living expenses, transport and the universities within reach of Rochester.
Rochester, which sits on the River Medway in Kent, is best known for its historic centre. Rochester Castle, with its Norman keep, stands beside Rochester Cathedral at the top end of the High Street. The High Street itself remains the centre of much of the city's day-to-day activity, with independent businesses, cafés, restaurants and traditional pubs.
The city also sits close to several higher education campuses. The University for the Creative Arts has a campus at Fort Pitt, positioned between Rochester and Chatham. Further east, at Chatham Maritime, the Universities at Medway campus brings together institutions including the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent.
This means Rochester can work well as a base for students attending more than one part of Medway. The city centre is relatively compact, and regular bus and rail services connect Rochester to Chatham, Strood, and the wider region.
The atmosphere is noticeably different from larger university cities. Rochester has an established residential community alongside its student population. The historic centre is busy during the day and at weekends, but the city does not revolve solely around university life.
For students comparing student housing in Rochester with accommodation in central Chatham or other parts of Medway, the appeal is often the location itself. You can live close to the historic centre while still being within reach of major campuses and transport links.
The area you choose will affect rent, commuting time and the type of property available. Central Rochester suits students who want shops and transport nearby, while the surrounding neighbourhoods tend to have more residential housing.
Rochester High Street is the most recognisable part of the city, with Rochester Castle and Rochester Cathedral close by. The cobbled street runs through the historic centre, with Rochester Castle and Rochester Cathedral nearby. Independent shops, cafés, restaurants and pubs line much of the route.
Student flats in Rochester located on or close to the High Street put everyday amenities within walking distance. There are local convenience stores, including Sainsbury's Local, along with cafés and places to eat. Rochester railway station is also nearby, which is useful for travel across Kent and into London.
Local buses connect the area to Chatham and Chatham Maritime, including the universities at the Medway campus.
Living in the centre does mean paying attention to the types of properties available. Housing around the High Street is limited compared with larger residential districts, and central locations can attract more demand. Still, the location works particularly well for students who want to walk to shops, the station and parts of the UCA campus.
Chatham Maritime sits east of Rochester and is home to the Universities at Medway campus. Students attending the University of Greenwich or the University of Kent at Medway can live close to lecture buildings, libraries and campus facilities.
The area has a much newer feel than historic Rochester. Student apartments and other modern accommodation around Chatham Maritime often sit close to the waterfront and university buildings.
Arriva bus services connect Chatham Maritime with Rochester and Chatham town centre. This makes it possible to live in Rochester while travelling to campus, although living near the university reduces the daily commute.
Chatham Maritime also has its own shops, restaurants and leisure facilities. It lacks the historic character of Rochester High Street, but the location is difficult to ignore for students whose timetable revolves around the Medway campus.
Strood sits directly across the River Medway from Rochester. It is a more residential area that can be worth considering for students searching for affordable student accommodation in Rochester without living far from the city centre.
Strood has its own railway station, with connections across Kent and to London. Rochester is also easy to reach from the area, which keeps the High Street, station and local amenities accessible.
Daily shopping is straightforward. Supermarkets and local services are available in the area, including Aldi on Corporation Street.
Shared houses are common in Strood, so student homes here may suit groups renting together or students looking for a private room in a shared property. The area feels quieter than central Rochester, particularly away from the main roads and shopping areas.
The Delce is a residential neighbourhood between Rochester and Chatham. The area sits away from the busiest parts of the city and has a more suburban character.
Housing here consists largely of traditional residential properties, including houses that may suit students sharing with friends. Such factors can make The Delce worth considering for those searching for student homes in The Delce, Rochester, rather than purpose-built accommodation.
Bus services link the area with Rochester, Chatham and university locations across Medway. The journey is longer than walking from central Rochester, so the location is more suited to students who do not need to be next door to campus.
The quieter streets can appeal to students who prefer a home separated from the activity around the High Street.
Borstal lies south of Rochester and has a village-like atmosphere compared to the city centre. Green space and the riverside surroundings lend the area a quieter character.
Private student accommodation in Borstal, Rochester, may include rooms in shared houses and smaller independent rentals. The area is further from the main university locations, so public transport matters more here than it does in central Rochester.
Local bus services connect Borstal with Rochester and Chatham. Travel may take longer, but the trade-off is a more residential environment.
Borstal will not suit everyone. Students who want to walk out of their accommodation and straight into shops, cafés or nightlife may find the centre more practical. Those who prefer quieter surroundings may see the appeal.
A private room is one of the most common accommodation setups for students renting in and around Rochester. You have your own bedroom while sharing some or all of the communal parts of the property.
The experience can differ significantly depending on whether the room is in a traditional shared house or a managed student building.
Shared houses are common across areas such as Strood, The Delce and Borstal. Each resident has a private bedroom, while they share the kitchen, living room and bathroom.
This arrangement suits students who want their own space without paying for an entirely self-contained property. Living with other students also means that you share household costs and responsibilities.
A private room in a shared house can include:
A separate bedroom for sleeping and studying
Shared kitchen facilities
A shared living area, depending on the property
Shared or private bathroom facilities
More freedom over day-to-day household arrangements
The quality and setup of each house will differ, so students should check exactly what is included in the rent and which bills they will need to pay separately.
Purpose-built student accommodation is less common in Rochester than in larger university cities, although modern developments around Chatham Maritime may include private rooms and managed student living.
In these buildings, a private bedroom may form part of a shared flat. Some rooms include an en-suite bathroom, while other residents share the kitchen and communal space.
Managed accommodation can include facilities such as:
On-site laundry
Communal rooms
Study areas
Secure entry systems
On-site management
Utility bills included in the rent
Student halls in Rochester and purpose-built accommodation can suit those who prefer a more structured rental arrangement, particularly where bills and property management are handled through one provider.
The choice between a shared house and a managed building usually depends on your budget, location, and how much independence you want in your daily life.
House of Student can help students compare rooms across different parts of Rochester without limiting the search to one type of property.
Rochester is generally less expensive than London, although the total cost of living depends heavily on rent, travel habits and how often you spend money on food and social activities.
Excluding rent, weekly living expenses can sit around £115 to £150. Some weeks will cost less, while others will rise because of travel, course expenses or social plans.
Food is one of the biggest regular expenses. Rochester and the surrounding Medway area have several options for everyday shopping.
Aldi on Corporation Street in Strood is useful for lower-cost grocery shopping, while Sainsbury's Local on Rochester High Street works for smaller trips. Asda in nearby Chatham can also be useful for a larger shop.
The Rochester Farmers' Market on Blue Boar Lane sells local produce and other goods on the third Sunday of the month.
A weekly grocery budget of around £40 to £60 is a useful starting point. Cooking most meals at home keeps costs lower than regularly buying takeaway food or eating out.
Central Rochester is walkable, but students who travel regularly to Chatham Maritime will need to factor in bus costs. Arriva Kent routes 1, 2 and 100 connect parts of Rochester and Chatham with the universities on the Medway campus.
A single bus journey is generally around £2 to £3. Regular travellers may save money with a weekly, monthly or student ticket.
Train travel costs more, particularly for frequent journeys, but a 16–25 Railcard cuts eligible fares by one-third.
A budget of around £10 to £20 per week can cover local travel, depending on how often you use buses or trains.
Rochester has plenty to do without spending heavily. Walking around the historic centre, visiting the castle grounds, and spending time along the river are all very inexpensive.
Other spending may include cinema trips, cafés, pubs, university events and society activities. Around £20 to £40 per week is a reasonable allowance for social spending, although the amount depends entirely on personal habits.
Toiletries, haircuts, clothes and other personal purchases can accumulate over the term.
Setting aside around £15 to £25 per week leaves room for these costs and small unexpected expenses.
Libraries and online resources can reduce the need to buy books, but some courses still require specialist texts, printing or materials.
Setting aside around £5 to £10 per week can help spread these costs across the academic year.
Rent remains the biggest separate expense. The cost of student accommodation in Rochester will depend on the property, area and whether bills are included. Checking what is covered before signing an agreement makes budgeting much easier.
Rochester has strong transport links for a relatively small city. Local buses connect residential areas with Chatham and Chatham Maritime, while Rochester railway station gives direct access to London and other parts of Kent.
Arriva Kent operates several important routes across the Medway area. Routes 1, 2 and 100 are particularly useful for students travelling between Rochester, Chatham and the universities at the Medway campus.
The wider bus network also links residential areas with shopping centres, local services and transport hubs.
Single fares are available, but regular commuters may find that weekly, monthly or student tickets are cheaper over time.
Rochester railway station is close to the city centre and is useful for both local and longer-distance travel.
High-speed Southeastern services run to London St Pancras International in approximately 35 minutes. Other services connect Rochester with London and destinations across Kent, including services associated with Thameslink and the wider mainline network.
Students travelling regularly by train should consider a 16–25 Railcard, which gives one-third off most eligible rail fares.
The rail connection is one reason Rochester works as a base beyond the immediate Medway area.
You can cover much of central Rochester on foot. The High Street, station, shops and historic landmarks sit close together, and the UCA campus at Fort Pitt is within walking distance from parts of the city.
Cycling can also work for local journeys, particularly across flatter parts of Medway. Some student accommodation Rochester properties include bike storage, but the details should be checked with the individual provider.
Several universities operate in Rochester and the wider Medway area. Their locations influence where students choose to rent, especially those travelling daily to Chatham Maritime.
Location: Central Avenue, Chatham Maritime, Chatham ME4 4TB, United Kingdom
The University of Greenwich operates its Medway Campus as part of the Universities at Medway site in Chatham Maritime. The campus is close to Rochester and is accessible by bus from several parts of the city.
Courses at the campus include subjects linked to engineering, science, architecture and health. Students also have access to specialist teaching spaces, workshops, laboratories and library facilities.
Rochester is about two miles from Chatham Maritime, and Arriva routes 1, 2 and 100 connect the area to the campus. Some students choose student flats in Rochester for the historic setting and commute to university.
Find Accommodation: Explore student accommodation near the University of Greenwich.
Location: Medway Building, Chatham Maritime, Chatham ME4 4AG, United Kingdom
The University of Kent also has a presence at the Universities at Medway campus. The campus supports courses in journalism, social work and business, as well as access to shared facilities and student activities.
Living in Rochester means commuting to Chatham Maritime for classes while remaining close to the High Street, railway station and historic centre. Strood and other nearby residential areas can also be good options for students travelling to campus.
Student housing in Rochester can therefore suit University of Kent students who do not want to live directly in Chatham Maritime.
Find Accommodation: Explore student accommodation near the University of Kent.
Location: Fort Pitt, Rochester ME1 1DZ, United Kingdom
The University for the Creative Arts campus in Rochester is located at Fort Pitt, between Rochester and Chatham. It is known for creative courses in areas such as fashion, fine art, graphic design and photography.
The campus has specialist studios, workshops and exhibition spaces. Its location also means students can live close to Rochester High Street while remaining within reach of campus.
Accommodation near the High Street and surrounding residential areas may be particularly practical for UCA students. The decision often comes down to whether walking distance or lower rent is the bigger priority.
Find Accommodation: Explore student accommodation near the University for the Creative Arts.
Finding student accommodation can involve checking multiple property websites, comparing locations and working out what is actually included in the rent. House of Student brings those details together in one place.
Here are some of the main ways the platform can help with a search in Rochester:
Verified listings: Property information is checked to help students search with greater confidence.
Different property types: Listings can include student rooms, shared rooms/flats and private accommodation in Rochester.
Search filters: Students can narrow results by location, price, property type and facilities.
Clear property information: Photos, descriptions and other listing details help show what each property includes.
Booking support: The House of Student team can assist with questions about properties and the booking process.
Budget options: The platform can help students compare accommodation at different price points across Rochester and nearby areas.
The search does not need to focus only on central Rochester. Depending on the university and commuting preferences, Chatham Maritime, Strood and other nearby locations may also be worth considering.
Rochester has a different feel from a large university city. Its historic centre is compact, the High Street has its own character, and the major campuses are close enough to reach by bus or train.
Location matters. Rochester High Street puts you close to shops, the station and the historic centre. Chatham Maritime keeps the universities at Medway campus nearby. Strood, The Delce and Borstal bring more residential options and may suit different budgets or living preferences.
Private rooms in shared houses are a common option, while managed student accommodation can also be available in parts of Medway. Weekly living costs, excluding rent, can sit around £115 to £150, so transport and day-to-day spending should be factored into the accommodation budget.
House of Student can be used to compare student housing, flats and apartments in Rochester across the area. Check the location, rent, bills and travel time to campus before narrowing down the shortlist. The right property is not always the one closest to university; sometimes a cheaper area with a straightforward bus or train route works better over the course of the academic year.