iQ Aldgate reviews mostly agree on three things: the staff are good, the facilities are generous, and it is expensive even by London standards. The building sits on Commercial Road, E1 1LP, a four-minute walk from Aldgate East station, on the line where the City of London meets Whitechapel.
For 2026/27, the cheapest listed studio started at £427 a week before it sold out, and the grades still available ran from £464 to £537. That is a lot of money, so this guide is about whether what you get justifies it: room sizes, what is included, how far you will travel and what verified residents actually say.
iQ Aldgate student accommodation tower on Commercial Road, Aldgate, East London
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About iQ Aldgate
iQ Aldgate is purpose-built student accommodation run by iQ Student Accommodation, which operates several other East London buildings, including iQ Magenta House (also four minutes from Aldgate East) and iQ East Court on Mile End Road.
Quick facts
- Address: Commercial Road, London E1 1LP (iQ listings give 60 Commercial Road)
- Operator: iQ Student Accommodation
- Room types: studios in several grades, plus twin rooms for two sharers
- Signature space: an 18th-floor sky lounge with views across the city
- Bills: all included, plus Wi-Fi and contents insurance
- Accreditation: National Code (Accommodation for Students listing)
- StudentCrowd rating: 4.33/5 from 22 verified student reviews
iQ has recently refurbished rooms and social spaces at Aldgate, which it markets as "glow ups". That partly explains why current prices are well above figures quoted in older guides.
iQ Aldgate Rooms and Prices
iQ Aldgate is almost entirely studios: your own kitchenette, shower room and study space. The grades below were listed for 2026/27 on StudentCrowd on 30 October 2026. [PRICE CHECK]
| Room | Size | Contract | From | Status |
| Bronze Studio Premium | 14 sq m | 48 weeks | £427/week | Sold out |
| Gold Studio Premium | 15.5 sq m | 27 weeks (Jan start) | £527/week | Available |
| Bronze Studio Deluxe | 18 sq m | 34 to 45 weeks | £464/week | Available |
| Platinum Studio Premium | 21 sq m | 44 weeks | £537/week | Available |
| Twin Room (two sharers) | n/a | n/a | From £351/week* | Limited |
*iQ's twin listing describes two small double beds with a private kitchen and bathroom shared by the two occupants. It is unclear whether £351 is per person or per room; confirm before relying on it.
What the grade names mean
The naming is not a simple size ladder. A Gold Studio Premium (15.5 sq m) is smaller than a Bronze Studio Deluxe (18 sq m), and the "Premium" and "Deluxe" suffixes appear to reflect refurbishment level and position in the building. Compare by square metres and price per week, not by the metal in the name.
Sharing a studio
iQ allows some studios to be shared by a couple where both are students (non-students can sometimes be accommodated by arrangement). A Platinum Studio Premium has been advertised at £537 a week, or about £269 each if two share. For couples, that changes the value equation significantly.
iQ Aldgate Facilities
In your studio
- Private shower room
- Kitchenette
- Desk and chair
- Wardrobe
- TV (listed on Accommodation for Students)
Communal facilities
- 18th-floor sky lounge
- Gym
- Cinema room
- Karaoke room
- Games and arcade area
- Lounge and study areas
- Laundry room
- Bike storage
Resident services
- 24/7 staff presence and security, CCTV, secure door entry
- On-site maintenance
- Regular social events
- All bills, Wi-Fi and contents insurance
StudentCrowd also lists wheelchair access. If you need an adapted studio, ask iQ directly what is available.
iQ Aldgate Location and Nearby Universities
Aldgate sits at the eastern edge of the City of London, with Whitechapel, Spitalfields and Brick Lane all walkable.
| Institution | Distance | Walk | Source |
| Nottingham Trent University (Confetti London) | 0.1 mi | 2 min | StudentCrowd |
| London School of Commerce (Library & IT campus) | 0.1 mi | 3 min | StudentCrowd |
| London Metropolitan University (Aldgate) | 0.3 mi | 9 min | StudentCrowd |
| Hult International Business School | n/a | "short walk" | iQ |
| Barts and The London (QMUL Whitechapel) | n/a | "short walk" | iQ |
| QMUL Mile End | further east | bus or tube | n/a |
Transport: Aldgate East station (District and Hammersmith & City lines) is a four-minute walk, per iQ. Aldgate station (Circle and Metropolitan lines) and Liverpool Street are also nearby, putting King's College London, UCL and LSE within a single tube journey, though not within walking distance.
Everyday life: Whitechapel Market, Brick Lane, Spitalfields and the City's supermarkets and cafés are all within walking distance. The Royal London Hospital is nearby on Whitechapel Road.
If you study at QMUL's Mile End campus, iQ East Court sits directly opposite it. For a near-identical Aldgate East location under the same operator, compare iQ Magenta House.
iQ Aldgate Rent, Bills and Booking
- Rent: from £427 to £537 per week for 2026/27, depending on studio and contract [PRICE CHECK]
- Included: gas, electricity, water, Wi-Fi and contents insurance
- Contract lengths: 27, 34 to 45, 44 and 48 weeks were listed
- Booking fee: £349, payable within 72 hours of reserving [PRICE CHECK]
- Tenancy: you have seven days after paying the booking fee to sign; the booking is confirmed only once signed
- Cancellation: normally 14 days from your offer or payment, plus iQ's policy allowing free cancellation if you are refused a UK visa or miss your grades
- Cashback: £300 for 2026/27 bookings was advertised in October 2026
Weekly rents at this level add up quickly. A 44-week Platinum Studio Premium at £537 comes to about £23,600 for the year.
What Do Students Say About iQ Aldgate?
Rating (checked 30 October 2026): 4.33 out of 5 from 22 verified student reviews on StudentCrowd, ranked 6th among rated East London halls. Amber Student shows 4.7 from 9 reviews.
Other figures you may see online, such as "4.3 from 371 reviews", could not be traced to an identifiable source and are not used here. Testimonials on iQ's own site and on booking platforms are selected by the operator.
Positive experiences
Staff are the clearest positive theme. Two StudentCrowd reviews from September and October 2025 praise friendly reception staff and a helpful manager. Operator-supplied testimonials on Accommodation for Students say similar things, adding that maintenance issues were fixed within hours and that the building runs plenty of events.
Common concerns
Price is the obvious one. Even positive reviewers are paying among the highest rents for student studios in East London, and the entry-level Bronze Studio Premium is only 14 sq m.
We did not find a recurring negative theme in publicly visible review text, but StudentCrowd's sub-scores and full reviews were not accessible to us and the sample is small. Ask current residents about noise, lift waits and studio heating at a viewing.
Room quality and maintenance
The refurbishment means many studios are recently updated. The one maintenance reference we found was positive, but one comment is not a pattern.
Staff and management
Consistently praised in the reviews we could read.
Location and accessibility
Location is a strength across sources: four minutes to Aldgate East, walkable to the City and Whitechapel, and well connected by tube to central campuses.
Value for money
This is where students should think hardest. If you will use the sky lounge, gym and events, and value 24/7 staff, the premium may feel justified. If you mostly need a room near QMUL or London Met, cheaper options exist nearby.
Pros and Cons of Living at iQ Aldgate
Pros
- Four-minute walk to Aldgate East; Liverpool Street close by
- Walkable to London Met Aldgate, Hult and Barts
- Every room is a private studio
- 18th-floor sky lounge, gym, cinema, karaoke and games area
- 24/7 staff and security, praised by residents
- Couples can share some studios
Cons
- Among the most expensive studios in East London (£427 to £537 a week)
- Entry studios are only 14 to 15.5 sq m
- Confusing grade names: Gold can be smaller than Bronze
- £349 booking fee
- Small independent review sample
- Not walkable to QMUL Mile End, KCL, UCL or LSE
Is iQ Aldgate Worth Booking?
Book it if you:
- Study at London Met Aldgate, Hult, Barts or a City-based college
- Want a private studio and will use the communal spaces
- Can comfortably afford £450 to £540 a week, or are sharing a studio as a couple
- Value a staffed reception and an active events programme
Compare alternatives if you:
- Study at QMUL Mile End; iQ East Court is opposite campus
- Have a budget under about £400 a week; see our guide to the best student accommodation in London
- Want more space for the money; check studio sizes at iQ Magenta House nearby
- Need a short, cheap commute to King's, UCL or LSE
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is iQ Aldgate located?
On Commercial Road, London E1 1LP, a four-minute walk from Aldgate East station. iQ's listings give the address as 60 Commercial Road.
What room types are available at iQ Aldgate?
Studios in several grades, including Bronze Studio Premium (14 sq m), Gold Studio Premium (15.5 sq m), Bronze Studio Deluxe (18 sq m) and Platinum Studio Premium (21 sq m), plus twin rooms for two sharers.
How much does iQ Aldgate accommodation cost?
For 2026/27, studios were listed from £427 to £537 a week, depending on grade and contract length, plus a £349 booking fee. Check current prices with iQ.
Are bills included in the rent?
Yes. Gas, electricity, water, Wi-Fi and contents insurance are included.
What facilities are available at iQ Aldgate?
An 18th-floor sky lounge, gym, cinema room, karaoke room, games and arcade area, lounge, study spaces, laundry, bike storage and 24/7 staff and security.
Which universities are near iQ Aldgate?
London Metropolitan University's Aldgate campus (about nine minutes on foot), Hult International Business School, Barts and The London School of Medicine, and several smaller colleges close by.
What do students say about iQ Aldgate?
Students praise the staff, events and facilities. StudentCrowd rates it 4.33 out of 5 from 22 verified reviews. The main drawback is cost.
Is iQ Aldgate a good option for students in London?
For students near Aldgate who want a private studio with strong facilities and can afford premium rent, yes. Budget-conscious students, or those at QMUL Mile End, should compare alternatives.
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Final Verdict on iQ Aldgate Reviews
The verified iQ Aldgate reviews point to a well-run, sociable building with a standout sky lounge and staff residents genuinely rate. Its limitations are price and space: studios start at 14 sq m and rents run from £427 to £537 a week. It suits students at nearby Aldgate and Whitechapel institutions who will use the facilities, and couples who can split a larger studio. Everyone else should compare it with nearby options before paying the booking fee. View current rooms on the iQ Aldgate listing or browse more student accommodation in London.