LSE accommodation Q and A

Hello,
I was looking for accomodation for the year 2020/2021 and it seems like all the halls/residences are unavailable.
I imagine it's because it's still quite early into this year. Does anyone know when accomodations open for the next year?

Thanks!

Rosebery or Passfield

Advantages and disadvantages of each?


Thanks

They're pretty similar. The only real differences are:
- Rosebery is quite a lot bigger (600 people vs. 250 at Passfield)
- So, potentially, you have a wider pool from which to find close friends at Rosebery
- But Passfield I would say has a better sense of community as everyone knows or at least recognises everyone else
- Different areas: Bloomsbury vs. Islington (I personally prefer Bloomsbury)
- Rosebery has more modern rooms, as it's a purpose built hall; Passfield is a converted Georgian building (so can get a little chilly in winter as no double glazing)

Hi Lucy, any ideas about Rosebery vs Bankside? Is Bankside a lot better? Cuz looks like so many people are going there and I've heard the facilities in rosebery are really old...

They're pretty similar. The only real differences are:
- Rosebery is quite a lot bigger (600 people vs. 250 at Passfield)
- So, potentially, you have a wider pool from which to find close friends at Rosebery
- But Passfield I would say has a better sense of community as everyone knows or at least recognises everyone else
- Different areas: Bloomsbury vs. Islington (I personally prefer Bloomsbury)
- Rosebery has more modern rooms, as it's a purpose built hall; Passfield is a converted Georgian building (so can get a little chilly in winter as no double glazing)

Hi Lucy, any ideas about Rosebery vs Bankside? Is Bankside a lot better? Cuz looks like so many people are going there and I've heard the facilities in rosebery are really old...

Hi Lucy,

Thanks for getting back.

I don't really know London. How does Bloomsbury compare to Islington in terms of culture, affordability and fun?

Thanks again

Bloomsbury has more of a middle class vibe while Islington is very much a working class area by nature.

HOWEVER Rosebery itself isn’t in Islington proper it’s in Clerkenwell which is sort of in between Bloomsbury and Islington.

Rosebery is honestly fine - it was an excellent hall when I was in first year last year. The communal area is like a conservatory which you can use to also chill outside in summer which is great. Also BIG BIG advantage of Rosebery over Bankside: shorter commute to campus.

Bankside, yes it’s great and has a good reputation as a hall but it’s the furthest one from campus by quite some margin (it’s in south London for starters.)

At Passfield or Rosebery you’d have a sound 25 minute walk to campus which is easy. At Bankside it’s more like 35-40 minutes.

Something to consider especially when it’s winter or if it’s raining badly etc.

Hi Connor,

Which has better nightlife and more of a community?

Thank you for your reply!!! This reassures me so much haha ❤
May I ask a few more questions?
1) Have you heard any comments about twin ensuites?
2) Are the facilities really old (myddleton wing)? I've heard some complaints about the private bathrooms and the kitchens.
3) Though I love quiet surroundings, is Rosebery very isolated?
4) Are the refurbished rooms much better than the original ones or no significant differences? Cuz I heard that twin ensuites will go through refurbishments during the summer.
5) Any big negatives?

Sorry for asking so many questions haha, thank you in advance!!❤

Neither of them are really nightlife areas since they’re residential areas - but it’s central London! You can get to the clubbing areas and bars with ease from either neighbourhood.

I’m not sure what you mean by community

I’m not sure about the refurbished rooms because the refurbishments were still ongoing when I finished first year (bear in mind I’m second year now and living in a private flat with two friends.)

The facilities (kitchens etc) aren’t great I won’t lie to you - but that’s just student halls in general. Plus Rosebery is catered for dinner so you won’t likely be using the kitchens except for breakfast. Can’t comment on private bathrooms as my experiences were all with the communal ones.

As for being isolated, I don’t think ANY of the LSE halls can be described as isolated. You must remember that campus is located in central London and therefore all the halls are too (since they are all less than 45 min walk from campus.) Central London is busy effectively 24/7 but you can stick to your room if you want isolation.

Which leads me into the big negative of not just Rosebery, but all LSE halls: they’re located in central London and sometimes it’s hard to get some peace and tranquility without outright retreating to your room.

I mean social life amongst the students living there.