As the new academic year draws closer, the cost of student accommodation has emerged as a decisive factor for many prospective undergraduates choosing where to study in the UK. A detailed analysis by Dataloft Rental Market Analytics by PriceHubble sheds light on just how widely rental costs vary across university cities, revealing a picture of stark contrasts and rising financial strain.
Unsurprisingly, London takes the top spot as the most expensive city for students, with an average monthly rent of £1,359. This figure dwarfs costs in most other parts of the country, setting the capital firmly apart in terms of affordability challenges.
Close behind, students in Reading (£965), Brighton (£941) and Bristol (£846) face some of the steepest housing costs outside London. Prestigious academic hubs Oxford (£844) and Cambridge (£843) also feature in the top ten, reflecting the growing price of living in these globally renowned university towns.
The analysis also highlights a wider spread of cities where students are feeling the squeeze. In Edinburgh (£756), Portsmouth (£746), Manchester (£740) and Exeter (£735), average rents demonstrate that rising accommodation costs are not confined to England’s southeast.
Nationally, students are now paying an average of £933 per month—a striking 29% increase compared to £724 just five years ago. These figures, based on average student rental shares over the 12 months leading to the end of August 2025, underscore the mounting financial pressure facing those entering higher education.
As universities prepare to welcome a new wave of students, accommodation affordability remains at the heart of the decision-making process. For many, the choice of where to study is no longer driven solely by academic reputation but also by the reality of securing a place to live in an increasingly competitive rental market.
