International Hall, London

University student residence in England

International Hall is a Hall of Residence owned by the University of London and situated on Brunswick Square and Lansdowne Terrace in the Bloomsbury district of London. It is an intercollegiate hall, and as such provides accommodation for full time students at institutions such as University College, King's College, Queen Mary, the School of Oriental and African Studies, the London School of Economics, and other such constituent colleges of the University of London. It is the largest single hall of the University of London.

The first wing (now known as the North Wing, and previously as the Main Wing) was opened in 1963 by the Indian High Commissioner. The second part of the hall (now known as the West Wing) was opened in 1968 by the then Chancellor of the University of London, HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. Later construction included the conversion of Georgian terrace houses on Lansdowne Terrace into flats for postgraduate students, the conversion of similar properties on Guilford Street into two new sets of single and double study bedrooms (known as House and Ingold), and the construction of X block (pronounced "cross block", although room numbers there, e. g. X123, were pronounced "ex one two ") connecting Ingold and the West Wing. The Hall underwent a major refurbishment in 2002 03. The refurbishment saw the demolition of the X block and the construction of a new Central Wing comprising studio flats for postgraduate students. The refurbishment also saw the construction of a new entrance on Lansdowne Terrace (the previous main entrance having been on Brunswick Square), and refurbishment of all facilities and rooms. The Georgian Terrace houses on Lansdowne Terrace and Guilford Street were also refurbished as large family flats. The newly refurbished Hall was reopened in December 2003 by the Chancellor of the University of London, the Princess Royal.

For over 40 years, International Hall has accommodated a range of students from all over the world, although the majority have been British. Now one of eight University of London intercollegiate halls of residence, International Hall accommodates a maximum of 850 University of London students, partners and children. There is an even mix of men and women, and a diverse range of cultural and social backgrounds.

The Hall comprises three types of accommodation: single study bedrooms which are the most common; studios, which are available to postgraduates only; and large family style flats in the Georgian Terrace housing. Rooms are also available for students with disabilities. For single study bedrooms, every room has a washbasin, but toilet and shower facilities are all shared. The studio flats and Georgian Terrace flats have private bathrooms. Every room has an internal telephone and internet connections. The Hall offers a range of facilities including: two study rooms; a computer/internet room; an activity room; a television room with Sky Freesat; a cinema; a TV room; a self service restaurant; a coin operated laundrette; a secure bike store; a squash court; two music rooms; two courtyard gardens; several common areas containing pool tables, ping pong, computer games and TV. There are numerous vending machines for soft drinks and snacks, and small pantries/kitchens on each floor of the North and West Wings, each equipped with a refrigerator and microwave. The Studio Flats and Georgian Terrace flats contain their own cooking facilities. The reception desk is open 24 hours a day; photocopying and fax services are available from reception. For a large number of residents (mainly those in the single study bedrooms), International Hall is a fully catered hall of residence. Residents in the studio or Georgian Terrace flats are welcome to eat in the dining hall but must buy their meals. Breakfast is served daily between 8.00am 9.30am (11.00am 12.30pm on weekends). Dinner is served at 6.00pm 7.30pm daily.

The staff of the Intercollegiate Halls of Residence are divided into two groups: the management team, and the wardenial team. The two teams always work closely together, but have different sets of responsibilities. The management work full time during office hours, whereas the wardenial staff are part time members of staff who are either studying or working elsewhere in the University of London.