Housing Information
London Now, London Internship, and City University

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Essential Information

Finding affordable housing in central London is much easier said than done. Fortunately, students on our programs need not worry about this – as a participant on an Arcadia University program, you are guaranteed housing–in a centrally located area may we add.

However, be sure to budget for food as all housing options for students on Arcadia's London Internship, London Now and City University programs are self-catered. More clearly: your program fee includes accommodation, but does not include costs for meals.

Arcadia staff in London and in the U.S. work closely when assigning housing. Significant thought is given to this process as there are a number of logistical factors that need to be considered. Our priority is to accommodate you in a place that will support your studies and enable you to experience the local culture in addition to considering safety, security and cost.

For these reasons, we reserve the right to alter or change accommodation options at any time.

To indicate your housing preferences, submit them using your Arcadia Passport. Before completing this form, you should review the information below and understand the Arcadia University Housing Policy outlined in the Student Handbook.

You are welcome to submit one roommate request on your housing form; but requests must be mutual to be considered. While we will work to honor your housing preferences and roommate requests, it is important to note that specific assignments cannot be guaranteed.

In order to consider your preferences, we need to receive your Housing Preferences by the housing deadline.

If they are not received before the deadline, you will automatically be assigned to available program accommodation.

Housing Deadlines:

Spring Semester: November 20
Fall Semester: June 30
Summer Programs: March 31

Special Needs

If you require accommodations for any special needs, it is important to indicate this in your Housing Preferences. Please note that the sooner we have this information, the better equipped we will be to help you. Also, we want you to understand that any information will be treated as confidential. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your program manager.

Independent Accommodation

Although housing is guaranteed for students participating on Arcadia programs, you are able to decline this service and find your own, independently-arranged accommodation. If you decide to opt out of Arcadia-arranged program housing, simply indicate this in your Housing Preferences.

In fairness to other applicants, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible so that any designated accommodation can be reallocated. If we do not receive notification before the appropriate housing deadline listed above, you will be subject to penalty fees indicated on the Arcadia University Housing Policy.

Additional Points:

Every room is different and unique; while Arcadia ensures that all rooms satisfy general standards, there is no way to guarantee uniformity of apartment and room sizes, distance from university, furnishings or facilities.
Specific housing assignments cannot be guaranteed.
Air conditioning is not standard in England and rooms may not be heated as warmly as you are accustomed. Be sure to consider this when you are packing.
Arcadia program housing will remain available during the semester, including breaks. However, program accommodation is not included once the semester has ended. If you consider staying in London during the winter holiday and would like information on extending your housing, be sure to speak with Arcadia staff in England about availability and additional costs for this service.
If your housing venue does not provide bed linens, our staff will be able to direct you accordingly after you arrive. As packing space is limited and bed sizes are different in England, it may be easier to purchase any bedding materials after you arrive rather than including these in your luggage.
Arcadia reserves the right to alter or change accommodation options at any time should circumstances warrant.

London Internship and London Now

Arcadia University Housing

Arcadia University provides housing to students on our programs in London in three venues. Each building is within walking distance of multiple bus routes and London Underground stations, centrally located in London Transport's Zone 1. As with most Londoners, you will rely on public transportation and should expect a commute of 45-60 minutes to class. For students on the London Internship, we will also take into account the commute to your placement when assigning housing.

All buildings have kitchen facilities with cutlery and crockery, as well as coin-operated machines to wash and dry clothes. It's also worth noting that we'll provide you with a pillow and a comforter, but you'll need to supply your own bed linens. Sheets can easily be purchased after you arrive in London, but if you opt to include these in your luggage, it's worth noting that beds are generally a little narrower and longer than in the United States.

It's important to understand that beyond satisfying Arcadia University's housing standards, amenities will vary in each building and from room to room. This is what is unique about living in a city as old and diverse as London!

Palace Court

Located in the Bayswater section of London, Palace Court also serves as Arcadia University's Main Office in the United Kingdom. Students are accommodated in triple bedrooms and can prepare meals in communal kitchens. Bathroom facilities are located on each floor and the building features wireless internet access.

Thoresby House

Within walking distance of City University in the neighborhood of Islington, Thoresby House provides accommodation to students in single- and larger, double-bedrooms. Each floor has cooking facilities, a communal area and a bathroom. Internet access is included and requires an Ethernet cable.

Redcliffe Gardens

Located in Earls Court, Redcliffe Gardens provides flat-style accommodation for students in single-, double- or triple-bedrooms. Each flat houses 6-8 students and features a common area, kitchen and bathroom as well as wireless internet access. Preference is given to students on the Parliamentary Internship program.

Arcadia may need to arrange for student housing in additional venues, based on student numbers. Similar to the three buildings listed above, Arcadia will aim for any additional accommodations to be located in London Transport’s Zone 1 and to be within walking distance of multiple bus routes and London Underground stations. All students should expect to rely on public transportation and should expect a commute of up to 45-60 minutes to class. Please remember that while Arcadia ensures all housing satisfies general standards, there is no way to guarantee uniformity of apartment and room sizes, distance from university, furnishings or facilities.

City University

If you're studying directly at City University though Arcadia, housing options include on-campus residential halls or Arcadia University housing. If you're assigned to City housing, your student account will be billed a supplemental housing fee as this option is costlier than Arcadia residential halls.

City University allots Arcadia a finite number of rooms at Liberty Hall. This number is generally not large enough to accommodate all the requests we have for City University accommodation. We will do our best to accommodate requests, however, a room at Liberty Hall cannot be guaranteed due to limited space.

City University Residential Halls

Residential halls provide self-catered accommodation in single bedrooms within close proximity to the University's academic and administrative buildings. A complete City University bedding package (with pillow, comforter and sheets) is included in your Arcadia housing fee at the residential halls. You will also be able to access the University's network with an Ethernet cable; but to do so, you'll first need to purchase a network card for around $150.

(Residential halls are not available to students participating on the London Internship or London Now programs.)

Liberty Hall

Liberty Hall was refurbished internally during the summer of 2009, All single en-suite study bedrooms and studio apartments include en-suite shower, WC and washbasin. Kitchens for the en-suite rooms are shared between 8 to 10 people. The Hall is approximately 5 minutes walk from the main University and is close to the Regents canal. The Hall also has communal living areas equipped with TV access and a coin operated laundrette is located in the basement. Bedding is not provided in study bedrooms; cooking utensils, crockery and cutlery are not provided in kitchen areas.

Arcadia University Housing

Thoresby House or Palace Court are within walking distance of multiple bus routes and London Underground stations and feature kitchen facilities with cutlery and crockery, as well as coin-operated machines to wash and dry clothes. If you're assigned housing in either building, we'll provide you with a pillow and a comforter, but you'll need to supply your own bed linens. Sheets can easily be purchased after you arrive in London, but if you opt to include these in your luggage, it's worth noting that beds are generally a little narrower and longer than in the United States.

It's important to note that beyond satisfying Arcadia University's housing standards, amenities will vary at each housing venue. This is what is unique about living in a city as old and diverse as London!

Thoresby House

Within walking distance of City University in the neighborhood of Islington, Thoresby House provides accommodation to students in single- and larger, double-bedrooms. Each floor has cooking facilities, a communal area and a bathroom. Internet access is included and requires an Ethernet cable.

Palace Court

Located in the Bayswater section of London, Palace Court is around 45 minutes via public transportation to City University. Students are accommodated in triple bedrooms and can prepare meals in communal kitchens. Bathroom facilities are located on each floor and the building features wireless internet access.

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