If you’re joining us on our BA (Hons) Filmmaking, MA Filmmaking, or Filmmaking Diploma in September, you’ll want to start thinking about where you’ll hang your hat for the academic year. In other words, finding your new home in London will probably now be at the top of your student to-do list!
Moving away from home and finding a place to live in a new city might feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be a chore. We don’t offer our own accommodation on-site, but we’ve put together some helpful hints and tips for securing your student digs below.
Before getting stuck in, have a listen to what second-year student, Susanna, had to say about finding accommodation, and what she loves about living in the greatest city in the world!
1. Don’t break the bank
Consider your affordable monthly budget before starting your accommodation search, so that you can filter out places that might be outside of your price range. Don’t forget to budget for utility bills (electricity, water, internet etc.), and check whether these are included in the advertised price. If you’ll be commuting on the bus, tube, or train, you’ll need to include travel costs in your budget too.
2. Consider your commute
LFA is based in Fulham, Southwest London, so try to secure a room that isn’t too far away. Our closest transport links are Fulham Broadway, on the District Line of the London Underground, and West Brompton, on the London Overground. Don’t forget you can save money, and the planet, by cycling to school.
Our address: London Film Academy, 52a Walham Grove, London, SW6 1QR
Local areas where our students often set-up home include Hammersmith, Notting Hill, Shepherd’s Bush, Chelsea, Earl’s Court, Parson’s Green, Putney, Battersea, Wimbledon, Wandsworth, Clapham Junction
3. See it with your own eyes
Always try and arrange an in-person viewing, or a virtual tour, of your new accommodation before signing a contract or paying a deposit for a room. Pictures on accommodation adverts can be deceiving, so it’s always good to get a feel for your new place via a live video, or in-person, tour.
4. Meet your new friends for life
It’s a good idea to search for a room in a student accommodation residence to begin with, until you make friends with people on your course. There are plenty of private residences in the local area, where you’ll be sharing some facilities with other students, who you can socialise and collaborate with. Take a look at our accommodation webpage for a list of local residences, including our partnership with David Game College. Most student residences offer contracts for the entire academic year.
Image credits © Lee Abbey London
5. Get packing!
Once you’ve secured a room, it’s time to pack your bags and get excited! Don’t forget, your BA, MA, or Diploma course will start on the 19 September, so make sure your accommodation contract starts by this date. It’s usually a good idea to arrive in London a week or so before the start date of the course, to get settled in and familiarise yourself with the local area.