Best Student Accommodation in Rochester, United Kingdom

Rochester sits within the wider Medway higher education area, with the University of Greenwich, the University of Kent, and Canterbury Christ Church University all having a presence at the Universities at Medway site in Chatham Maritime.

Local bus services connect Rochester with Chatham, making it possible to live in Rochester while commuting to the Medway campuses.

University of Greenwich, Medway Campus

University of Greenwich, Medway Campus offers courses across areas including engineering, biological and biomedical sciences, pharmacy, and forensic science. Its Medway Campus occupies former Royal Navy buildings at Chatham Maritime and includes specialist teaching facilities, including an 8,000-square-metre laboratory for science and engineering students. The university is also home to the Medway School of Pharmacy, a collaboration with the University of Kent. Chatham Station is around five minutes by bus from the Medway Campus, with local services linking the two.

University of Kent, Medway Campus

University of Kent, Medway Campus offers courses across areas including business and management, pharmacy, and social work. Its Medway campus spans the Chatham Maritime site and the Historic Dockyard, with Kent Business School based at the Pembroke site. Pharmacy students have access to industry-standard laboratories, a training dispensary, a mock hospital ward, and a SimMan patient simulator for practising clinical procedures. Social Work students also use purpose-built consultation rooms for practical role-play sessions. Rochester is nearby and connected to Chatham by local bus services, giving students the option of living in Rochester while commuting to campus.

Canterbury Christ Church University, Medway Campus

Canterbury Christ Church University, Medway Campus offers a range of health and social care courses, including adult nursing, child nursing, mental health nursing, operating department practice, and paramedic science. The campus also offers courses in childhood studies and education, giving students options beyond healthcare. Students at CCCU also have access to specialist simulation facilities at the Medway Campus for practical healthcare training. The Medway Campus forms part of the shared Universities at Medway site at Chatham Maritime, making Rochester a nearby residential option for students commuting to campus.

Rochester offers purpose-built student accommodation alongside private rooms in shared properties, with options ranging from en-suite student rooms to double rooms. Here are some accommodation options available through Casita:

• Rochester Student Village: Offers en-suite rooms with private bathrooms, Wi-Fi, on-site laundry, and CCTV.
• Green House: Offers double rooms in Rochester and includes a library room, swimming pool, on-site cinema room, and parking.

Choosing student accommodation in Rochester is largely about balancing your university commute, budget, room preferences, and location. Before booking, consider these factors:

• University commute: For your university, check bus routes from Rochester towards Chatham Maritime. Local services connect Chatham with the campus.
• Distance to Rochester station: If you travel to London, other parts of Kent, or another campus regularly, accommodation within easy reach of Rochester railway station can make your journey more straightforward. Rochester has direct rail services towards London and destinations across Kent.
• Room type: Compare en-suite rooms with rooms in shared houses. Purpose-built accommodation may offer private bathrooms and dedicated study areas, depending on the property, while house shares generally provide more traditional shared living.
• Total monthly cost: Compare the rent alongside transport, groceries, phone costs, and any bills not included in your contract. A cheaper room may cost more overall if you have a longer daily commute.
• Bills and Wi-Fi: Check whether electricity, heating, water, and Wi-Fi are included rather than assuming they form part of the advertised rent. This is particularly important when comparing different types of accommodation.
• Location: Choose between living close to Rochester's historic centre, the railway station, or quieter residential areas. Consider how easily you can reach shops, cafés, university transport, and places you regularly use.
• Contract length: Check the tenancy dates carefully against your university term dates. A longer contract can mean paying for accommodation during periods when you are away from Rochester.

The cost of living in Rochester depends on your accommodation, room type, location, and spending habits.

Student Accommodation

According to Numbeo, the following figures provide a general guide to everyday living costs in Rochester. Actual spending varies depending on your lifestyle, accommodation, and spending habits.

Groceries

Utilities

Transportation

Note: Rental prices and everyday costs can change throughout the year, so use these figures as a guide when planning your student budget.

Student Discounts & Passes

Note: Students must carry a valid student ID when using eligible Arriva student fares.

Rochester has good rail and bus connections across Medway, Kent, and towards London. Southeastern serves Rochester railway station, while Arriva operates local bus services across the Medway area.

Getting Around Rochester

Rochester town centre is relatively compact, with the historic High Street, cathedral, castle, museums, shops, and restaurants concentrated within the central area. Students living nearby can walk to many everyday amenities, while local buses provide connections to surrounding parts of Medway.

Train

Rochester railway station is served by Southeastern, with direct trains towards London and destinations across Kent. Southeastern operates direct trains from Rochester to London Victoria, with journey times of around 1 hour 8 minutes. The station is useful for students travelling to London for shopping, cultural events, or other activities.

Bus

Arriva operates local bus services connecting Rochester with Chatham, Gillingham, Strood, and other destinations across Medway and Kent. Students travelling to the universities at Medway can use services towards Chatham Maritime, where the University of Greenwich, the University of Kent, and Canterbury Christ Church University are located. Arriva also offers dedicated student fares for students at the universities at Medway, making bus travel a practical option for regular journeys between Rochester and the university campuses.

Rochester has a strong historic identity, but students also have plenty of places to explore after lectures. Its attractions include Norman and mediaeval landmarks, museums, literary sites, historic streets, independent shops, and cafés:

• Rochester Castle: One of Rochester's best-known landmarks, the castle has a Norman keep that is the tallest surviving great tower of its type in Europe. The castle also stands above the River Medway, with the surrounding Castle Gardens providing space to explore.
• Rochester Cathedral: Founded in AD 604, Rochester Cathedral is one of England's oldest cathedrals. Alongside its historic architecture, it hosts concerts, exhibitions, guided tours, and other activities throughout the year, giving students a cultural venue close to the town centre.
• Charles Dickens sites: Rochester and the wider Medway area were closely connected with Dickens' life and writing. Students can explore places including Eastgate House, Restoration House, and the Six Poor Travellers House, all associated with his work and local history.
• Rochester High Street: The historic High Street brings together listed buildings, independent shops, cafés, restaurants, and other local businesses. Its concentration of historic sites and everyday amenities makes it an easy area to explore on foot.
• Cafés and riverside walks: Independent cafés along the High Street offer a change of scene between lectures, while the riverside path along the Medway provides space for a walk or break from studying.