University for the Creative Arts (UCA) Student Accommodation Guide 2025: Best Halls & Housing Options

🎓 Introduction

The University for the Creative Arts (UCA) is a specialist university with campuses in Farnham, Canterbury, Epsom, and Rochester, serving over 6,000 students. With its focus on arts, design, fashion, and media, UCA attracts a creative community from across the globe.

Finding suitable housing is an important part of student life, and since UCA has multiple campuses, accommodation options vary depending on location. This 2025 guide explores university halls, private rentals, costs, and the best areas for students at each campus.

🏠 UCA Halls of Residence

Each UCA campus offers university-managed halls or partnerships with local providers.

📍 Main University Residences

UCA Farnham – Student Village – shared flats and en-suite rooms, 5 minutes from campus
UCA Canterbury – Riverside Student Quarter – modern, en-suite, near city centre
UCA Epsom – Ashley Road Halls – self-catered en-suite and standard rooms, close to campus
UCA Rochester – Liberty Quays (Medway Partnership) – modern en-suite flats, easy transport links

👉 Full details: UCA Accommodation

💷 Costs (2025)

Campus & Room Type	Weekly Rent (£)
Farnham (shared)	135 – 155
Farnham (en-suite)	165 – 185
Canterbury (en-suite)	170 – 190
Epsom (shared/en-suite)	160 – 190
Rochester (en-suite)	165 – 185

💡 All halls include bills, WiFi, and contents insurance.

🏡 Private Student Accommodation near UCA

Private student housing is widely available across all UCA locations, especially in Canterbury and Farnham.

Popular Providers

Unite Students – options in Canterbury and Medway.
iQ Student Accommodation – stylish PBSA in Canterbury and London suburbs.
Fresh Student Living – modern en-suite flats.
Amber Student – comparison platform for PBSA across all UCA campuses.

💷 Typical Rent

Accommodation Type	Cost
Private Halls	£160 – £220/week
Shared Houses	£400 – £600/month (+ bills)

💷 Average Living Costs near UCA Campuses (2025)

Expense	Farnham (£)	Canterbury (£)	Epsom (£)	Rochester (£)
Rent (shared house)	400–500	450–550	500–650	450–550
Groceries	110–140	120–150	120–160	110–140
Transport (local bus/train)	50–60	55–65	70–90	55–65
Social life & entertainment	90–120	100–140	120–160	90–130

👉 Canterbury and Rochester are cheaper overall, while Epsom (close to London) is the most expensive.

📍 Best Student Areas

Farnham – town centre houses, close to UCA Student Village.
Canterbury – city centre and St Dunstan's (vibrant student areas).
Epsom – town centre and Ewell, well-connected to London.
Rochester/Medway – Liberty Quays and nearby housing, affordable and student-friendly.

✨ Tips for Finding Affordable Housing

Apply early for UCA halls, as spaces are limited at smaller campuses.
For the cheapest options, check shared houses in Farnham, Canterbury, or Medway.
If based in Epsom, budget extra for transport and rent due to proximity to London.
Use Amber Student to compare private halls across multiple cities.

📌 Useful Links

❓ FAQs: University for the Creative Arts (UCA) Accommodation

Q1. Which UCA campus is most affordable for accommodation?

Canterbury and Rochester/Medway offer the most affordable accommodation options, while Epsom is the most expensive due to its proximity to London.

Q2. Are halls guaranteed for first-year students at UCA?

Apply early for UCA halls, as spaces are limited at smaller campuses. Priority is given to first-year students who apply by the deadline.

Q3. What transport options are available between UCA campuses?

Each campus is independent with local transport links. Epsom offers quick access to London, while other campuses have good local bus and train connections.

✅ Final Thoughts

The University for the Creative Arts provides diverse accommodation options across its four campuses.

Farnham and Canterbury are the most student-focused towns, with affordable halls and shared housing.
Epsom offers quick access to London but higher rent.
Rochester/Medway gives students budget-friendly options near Liberty Quays.

👉 With proper planning, UCA students can find affordable housing that balances creativity, convenience, and cost in 2025.

👉 Which UCA campus and accommodation are you considering? Share your thoughts below!

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