Camden Town is one of London's most iconic and student-friendly neighbourhoods, famous worldwide for its markets, live music, street food and alternative culture, sitting on the Northern line in Zone 2 with a direct 5-minute Tube ride to King's Cross and about 15 minutes to the West End. If you are searching for student accommodation in London with genuine character, a legendary nightlife scene and fast access to UCL, UAL and the University of London colleges, Camden Town is one of the most exciting areas to call home. This guide covers what Camden is like for students, transport, pricing, and the best properties near Camden.
What makes Camden Town a top student area?
Camden's appeal for students is its unique energy: the famous Camden Market (actually four interconnected markets), the Roundhouse arts venue, the Jazz Cafe, KOKO, the Electric Ballroom and Dingwalls all sit within a few streets, creating a daily environment unlike anywhere else in London. Camden Lock and Regent's Canal offer a surprising amount of green, waterside calm amid the bustle, and the street food scene (from Thai to Ethiopian to vegan) is both diverse and genuinely affordable by London standards. It is also one of the more affordable Zone 2 areas relative to Bloomsbury or King's Cross, making it a natural choice for students who want central living without the highest Zone 1 price tag. My tip: Camden's character is its biggest draw, but it is loud, busy and tourist-heavy, especially at weekends, so it suits students who thrive on energy and diversity rather than those who need quiet.
Which universities are near Camden Town?
| University | Distance from Camden Town |
| UCL (Gower Street) | About 15-20 minutes' walk or one Tube stop |
| UAL Central Saint Martins (King's Cross) | About 10 minutes' walk |
| SOAS University of London | About 20 minutes' walk |
| Royal Veterinary College (Camden campus) | About 10-15 minutes' walk |
| London Metropolitan University | About 20 minutes by Tube |
Camden Town station (Northern line) provides fast access south into the West End and north to Hampstead, while nearby Kentish Town and Camden Road stations add Overground and Thameslink options.
How much does student accommodation near Camden Town cost?
Camden sits in Zone 2, with PBSA typically starting from around £240 to £320 per week for an en-suite room and higher for studios. Private house shares in the surrounding streets of Kentish Town, Chalk Farm and Tufnell Park can bring per-person costs down to around £150 to £200 per week. The Camden fringe areas offer better value than Camden High Street itself. My tip: the best-value Camden accommodation is slightly off the main strip, in Kentish Town or toward Chalk Farm, where you get the same transport links and market access without paying for a Camden High Street address.
Best student accommodation near Camden Town
These are the strongest student accommodation options within easy reach of Camden:
- Chapter Kings Cross in the regenerated King's Cross district, about 10 minutes' walk from Camden Town, with strong amenities and a vibrant neighbourhood
- Scape Kings Cross another premium King's Cross option, offering studios with fast Northern line access to Camden and beyond
- iQ Magenta House a central London iQ building within easy reach of Camden via the Northern line
- iQ Bloomsbury in Bloomsbury, about 15-20 minutes' walk from Camden or one Tube stop, close to UCL and SOAS
- AXO Camden a purpose-built student accommodation directly in Camden, popular for its location right on the doorstep of the market and nightlife
My tip: Chapter and Scape Kings Cross put you between Camden and King's Cross, which is the sweet spot for students at UCL, UAL Central Saint Martins and SOAS, giving you Camden's nightlife on one side and academic Bloomsbury on the other.
Living in Camden Town: what student life is actually like
Student life in Camden revolves around the market, the music venues and the canal. Camden Market is open daily and draws visitors from around the world, but regulars quickly learn which stalls are genuine gems and which are tourist traps, and the street food is some of the cheapest eating in central London. The Roundhouse hosts world-class music, theatre and circus, often with student discounts, and the Jazz Cafe, KOKO (reopened after a major restoration) and Dingwalls provide nightly live music across every genre. Regent's Canal runs through Camden Lock, offering a peaceful walking and cycling route east to King's Cross and beyond. For groceries, Sainsbury's, Morrisons and independent shops are all within walking distance. My tip: the canal towpath walk from Camden Lock to King's Cross is one of the best free experiences in London, and it doubles as your daily commute to UCL or King's Cross.
Conclusion
Camden Town is London's most characterful and culturally rich student area, combining iconic markets, world-class music venues and affordable street food with Zone 2 Northern line connectivity to UCL, UAL and the West End. The best student accommodation options sit in the King's Cross fringe, where you get Camden's energy and Bloomsbury's academics in one walkable zone. Browse student accommodation in London to compare options.
FAQs
Q: Is Camden Town good for students?
A: Yes, Camden is one of London's most iconic student areas, with famous markets, live music, affordable street food and fast Northern line access to UCL, UAL and the West End, all in Zone 2.
Q: Which universities are near Camden Town?
A: UCL (15-20 minutes' walk), UAL Central Saint Martins at King's Cross (10 minutes' walk), SOAS (20 minutes' walk) and the Royal Veterinary College (10-15 minutes' walk).
Q: How much is student accommodation near Camden Town?
A: PBSA en-suite rooms from around £240-320/week. Private house shares in Kentish Town or Chalk Farm can bring per-person costs to £150-200/week.
Q: What is the best student accommodation near Camden?
A: Chapter Kings Cross and Scape Kings Cross (between Camden and Bloomsbury), iQ Bloomsbury, iQ Magenta House and AXO Camden are the strongest options.
Q: Is Camden Town noisy?
A: Yes, Camden is loud, busy and tourist-heavy, especially at weekends. It suits students who thrive on energy and diversity rather than those who need quiet.
