Student Accommodations Cambridge

Students make up nearly 45% of Cambridge’s overall population. That stands for a city with a new mind, new desires, and a new lifestyle. And to help them lead their life more conveniently, this city offers an assortment of student housing in Cambridge. These homes offer contemporary living arrangements with an array of flexible and modern amenities.

Most students find their off-campus student home in Cambridge through the verified and trusted student mobility partner, University Living. We offer a curated selection of purpose-built student accommodations (PBSA) located near all major universities. Our platform provides verified listings, transparent contracts, and round-the-clock support to help you secure everything.

Cambridge has a unique town and gown relationship, which refers to collaborative efforts and shared prosperity between the students and locals. This bond reflects a variety of student housing options available in Cambridge, that mix historic charms with modern student needs. These student living arrangements can be divided into two main categories: Student Housing & Private Apartments. Which are;

1. Student Housing: These are the most common off-campus student flats in Cambridge. These are also called PBSAs (purpose-built student accommodations). As its name suggests, these are designed to make the living arrangement smooth for today's students. These come with various amenities and utilities. These have four main types, that are:

• Ensuite Rooms: Your own private bedroom with a personal bathroom, which means no more queuing for the shower on busy mornings. You'll share only the kitchen and living space with flatmates.

• Non-Ensuite Rooms: You have your own private bedroom but share the bathroom and kitchen with your flatmates. It is best for students who prioritize personal space but don't mind the shared routine of communal living.

• Studio Rooms: It features a private bedroom, bathroom, and a compact kitchenette. It is perfect for those who value complete independence and their own cooking space, all within a single, private footprint.

• Shared Rooms: Two or more students share the same sleeping space. It is the most affordable student accommodation in Cambridge available and a great choice for friends or couples looking to study together.

2. Private Apartments: These are self-contained flats entirely for both, students and working professionals. Mostly, these are separate from any shared student complex or hall. These function just like a standard residential flat; offering a private bedroom, living area, kitchen, and bathroom. That makes them ideal for mature students, couples, young professionals or those seeking complete independence away from the traditional student housing model.

No more compromises. Just rooms that feel like you. Explore My Kinda Room on University Living now.

Cambridge is not just any city; it’s a university city, and it offers 800 years of academic history, high-tech innovation, and stunning Gothic architecture. This city has one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, which was founded in 1209. The university has shaped the city's identity for over eight centuries. That’s what gives Cambridge a distinctly academic atmosphere. Beyond its academic fame, Cambridge is also a thriving hub for science and technology.

Despite its world-class reputation, Cambridge is a surprisingly compact and manageable city. It has a population of around 145,000 and is mostly known as one of the most cycle-friendly cities in the UK. The city centre is largely pedestrianized and walkable, with iconic green spaces like The Backs, the stretch of parkland running alongside the River Cam, offering students a peaceful escape from academic life.

For students, Cambridge offers a great combination of opportunity and culture. Part-time work is easily available in hospitality, retail, and the thriving tourism sector. The city also hosts a rich calendar of events, from the famous May Balls and Bumps rowing races to international science festivals and open-air theatre performances. Thus, the city ensures that life outside the lecture hall is just as enriching as the academic experience itself.

City of Perspiring Dreams, Cambridge is relatively very compact. This means that nowhere feels too far away, and most areas are within a 15 to 20-minute cycle of the university libraries and lecture halls. Whether you crave hustle, quirky independence, or quiet affordability, each neighbourhood offers its own distinct flavour of student life. So, you get a lot of options to choose from and make your student accommodation in Cambridge. Some of the student favourite areas are:

• Mill Road: It is a bohemian hub for students. Mill Road is a vibrant student neighbourhood, often compared to London's Brick Lane for its multicultural atmosphere. Moreover, this versatile locality is roughly 0.6 to 1.2 miles away from Cambridge City Centre. It is in proximity to the University of Cambridge, only 10 minutes away by cycle. Also, it is very close to the ARU East Road campus. This place offers a mix of global cuisines and cosy local hangouts. The top cafes are Relevant Records, 5 Blends Coffee House, Rubicae and Mill Mediterranean Coffee Spot. The nightlife moves around here to these bars, The Live and Let Live, The Petersfield, Cambridge Blue and 196 cocktail bar and others.

• Chesterton: This locality offers a riverside value to students. It is located north of the River Cam. This area is popular for its village-like feel and scenic walks. Additionally, this place is in proximity to the City Centre, only 10 minutes cycling away. The famous eateries of this suburb are Golden Noodle Bistro, RanyaGrill, The Polish Restaurant and Margaret's Cambridge. Along with this, the cafes which are more than coffee spots are Tishka, COFEIN, Stir and Bould Brothers Coffee. The famous bars, which are the lifeline of the night scene in Chesterton, are The Green Dragon, The Haymakers and Thirsty.

• Newnham: It is the Academic Retreat for students. This locality is a leafy, upscale neighbourhood located west of the city. It is popular with students who prefer a quieter environment near the Sidgwick Site. This green suburb is located approximately 10 to 15 minutes on foot from Cambridge city centre. Although this place gives a village-like feel, it is very accessible to the main shopping and university areas. This place exudes cafes like Bean Theory, Lammas Land Cafe, Flux Coffee and The Irish Bar. Plus, the dining scene here is very sorted with many multi-cuisine restaurants, including MillWorks, Rice Boat, Salathong, and Garden House.

Not sure which area suits your vibe? Let University Living help you navigate the options. Explore student homes in United Kingdom with confidence.

20-30% higher than the UK national average is Cambridge's cost of living measures. This reflects its global reputation and prime location. However, with nearly half the city's population being students, there are plenty of discounts, deals, and budget-friendly options available. From affordable cycle commuting to student nights at pubs and markets, smart choices can help stretch your budget further. So here we have created a detailed student monthly expenditure for students living in Cambridge.

However, this is just for a student who spends a moderate way and leads a normal lifestyle. Thus, the exact may vary on the choices of student accommodation in Cambridge and the way of living.

Therefore, to know the exact spending in Cambridge, many students use the free Cost of Living Calculator by University Living.

Students living in Cambridge means waking up to historic spires and cycling past centuries-old colleges on your way to lectures. The best student housing in Cambridge puts you right in the centre of this experience of life and in proximity to the distance of both the University of Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin. The important thing is that finding the right home has become easy with the curated list:

• The Cam Foundry

• Master house

• Scholars View

• Stellaris

• The Railyard – Cambridge

• Castle Hill

• Student Castle Cambridge

• Varsity House

• CB1

• Anglia House

Some rooms are more than the room. So, book as fast as possible; these properties go very fast.

Cambridge is famously flat, compact, and built for two wheels. Over 40% of residents cycle to work or university, which is what makes this city the cycling capital of the UK. Along with this, Cambridge is a compact city and offers numerous ways to get around for students. Plus, this city provides many discounts, deals and offers that make student-commute affordable.

• Cycling: The city is almost entirely flat, criss-crossed with dedicated cycle paths, and built around a culture where the bike is the default mode of transport for students. Most colleges offer secure bike storage, and several local shops offer discounts on bikes and accessories to students with a valid university ID.

• Bus Travel: Bus travel in Cambridge is made highly affordable through a number of student-friendly schemes. The Tiger Bus Pass, available free to students under 25, allows £1 single journeys on most participating services across Cambridgeshire. The Universal (U) Bus is a main route for University of Cambridge students, this links the city centre, the railway station, and various university sites at approximately £1.50 per journey with a university ID.

• Rail Travel: Cambridge is very well connected by rail, with frequent services to London Kings Cross taking approximately 50 minutes and additional links via Liverpool Street. The 16-25 Railcard costs £30 per year and saves a third off most national rail fares.

No Cambridge experience is complete without punting along the River Cam or gliding under the Mathematical Bridge. Students can rent their own punt for a budget-friendly afternoon or join a guided tour to hear tales of Nobel laureates and night-climbing adventures. It's the perfect way to see the colleges from a different perspective and impress visiting friends. Plus, this city also provides many other options to learn, grow and enjoy life, which are:

• Punting on the River Cam: Punting is the quintessential Cambridge experience and an absolute must for any student. You can hire a chauffeured punt for a guided tour or opt for a cheaper self-hire session with friends for a more chaotic but memorable afternoon. It is the only way to see the famous Backs, the private rear gardens of the colleges.

• The Fitzwilliam Museum: It is one of the most impressive regional museums in Europe. The Fitzwilliam houses an extraordinary collection spanning Egyptian mummies to masterpieces by Picasso and Monet. Entry is completely free for students

• King's College Chapel: Evensong: While visiting the chapel as a tourist comes at a cost, attending one of its regular Evensong services is entirely free and open to everyone. It is a rare opportunity to experience the chapel's world-famous fan-vaulted ceiling and stunning acoustics. This becomes more fun while listening to one of the finest choirs in the world.

• Mill Road: Mill Road is the non-touristy, everyday ground of Cambridge. This place is loved by students for its diverse food scene, independent cafes, and charity shops packed with vintage finds. It is the best place in the city for affordable eating, with spots like Gardenia legendary among students for their souvlaki. If you are around in December, the Mill Road Winter Fair is a vibrant community street party not to be missed.

• Parker's Piece: This vast 25-acre common in the centre of the city is historically significant as the place where the modern rules of football were first drawn up in 1848. It is completely free to visit. Plus, this place transforms into a go-to spot for student picnics, frisbee, and sunbathing when the sun comes out.