Best Student Accommodation in Gillingham, United Kingdom

Gillingham is part of the wider Medway higher-education area, with the universities at the Medway campus located nearby in Chatham Maritime. The campus brings together the University of Greenwich and the University of Kent, making student housing in Gillingham a practical option for students attending these institutions.

University of Greenwich

The University of Greenwich dates back to 1890, when it began as Woolwich Polytechnic. It later became Thames Polytechnic before gaining university status and adopting its current name in 1992. It operates its Medway Campus in Chatham Maritime, close to Gillingham. It ranks 61st among the top universities in the UK in the Times Higher Education ranking. The campus is part of the shared Universities at Medway community and provides specialist facilities for subjects including engineering, science, pharmacy, life sciences, geography, adult nursing and paramedic science.

Students also have access to the Drill Hall Library, laboratories, cafés, social spaces and the Student Hub. The university welcomes students from a wide range of backgrounds and offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses across several academic areas. Its location makes Gillingham student accommodation a practical choice for students who want to live close to campus while enjoying the wider Medway area.

University of Kent

Established in 1960, the University of Kent operates a Medway Campus in Chatham Maritime, close to Gillingham. The campus is part of the Universities at Medway community and offers courses across areas including business, pharmacy, social sciences and journalism. Students also have access to shared facilities such as the Drill Hall Library, Student Hub, laboratories and social spaces.

The Medway Campus provides a more compact study environment while giving students access to the wider facilities and activities available across the universities at Medway. Its location close to Gillingham makes it a practical choice for students considering student accommodation in Gillingham, particularly those who want to live near the town while commuting to campus.

Gillingham student accommodation includes shared student houses, en-suite rooms, and private apartments in the wider Medway area.

• The Strand Beach House: This Gillingham student accommodation offers single and double rooms with amenities such as laundry facilities, car parking, and a CCTV system.
• Outbuilding large room: This student accommodation in Gillingham offers single rooms with features such as laundry facilities.

• Decide your campus first: Check the commute from your accommodation to your main teaching buildings, such as Greenwich Medway or Kent Medway. Use train and bus journey planners to check actual travel times rather than relying on distance alone.
• Set a total monthly budget: Include rent, utilities (if not included), internet, transport, food, and personal expenses. Student rents in Gillingham can vary by room type and property, with typical options costing around £150-£250 per week.
• Read the tenancy agreement carefully: Check the rent amount, payment dates, tenancy length, break or early-termination clauses, visitor rules and any additional fees before signing or paying.
• Test transport links: Check peak-time train and bus frequency, services to your campus and London, night services and total door-to-door journey times rather than just the distance to a station.
• Confirm safety features: Check that the property has secure locks, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and secure entry systems, particularly if you expect to return late from university, work or social activities.

Gillingham is generally more affordable than central London, although accommodation costs vary by property and room type. Living cost estimates a single person's monthly expenditure at around £597, excluding rent.

Student Accommodation

Groceries

Utilities

Transportation

Prices may change according to the property, academic year, market conditions and travel zone. Students should check the latest prices before booking accommodation or planning their monthly budget.

Gillingham has good rail and bus connections across Medway and Kent. Students can use local buses to reach the universities at Medway, Chatham and Rochester, while Gillingham railway station provides direct services towards London and the Kent coast.

Bus

Arriva operates key services around Medway, including routes connecting Gillingham with the Medway universities. Students can access discounted fares, including a £1.80 single journey between Gillingham and the university campus with valid student identification. The latest published South East UniMed four-week student ticket costs £56.50.

The 116 service also runs through the Medway campus and connects with Gillingham town centre, Gillingham railway station, Medway Maritime Hospital and Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre.

Trains

Southeastern operates services from Gillingham railway station towards London Victoria, Dover Priory, Ramsgate and other Kent destinations. A direct Gillingham to London Victoria journey takes around 54 minutes, with the fastest services taking around 51 minutes. Students and young people can reduce eligible rail fares with a Railcard. Southeastern says Railcard holders can get one-third off most standard fares, while off-peak and advance tickets can provide additional savings.

• Libraries: Gillingham Library provides free Wi-Fi, computers, printing, study tables and library services. It is open from 9 am to 6 pm Monday to Friday and from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturdays.
• Cafés: Gillingham Street Angels Café is one of the local café options around the town and is close to student accommodation in Gillingham.
• Parks: Riverside Country Park is a large coastal park beside the River Medway, offering walking routes, open spaces and opportunities to enjoy the local landscape.
• Museums: Royal Engineers Museum in Gillingham explores military engineering history through more than one million collection items. Students interested in local history can also visit the Guildhall Museum in nearby Rochester.
• Events: The Royal Engineers Museum hosts exhibitions, talks, family activities and special events throughout the year. Its 2026 calendar includes the Medway Culture Club Carnival, War Winning Engineering Event and Medway History Showcase.
• Student discounts: Students can use discounted Arriva tickets for journeys around Medway and Kent. Eligible students can also use a Railcard to save on qualifying train fares.