Studying in London
Are you planning to study in London? Our student guide explores what it’s like to live in one of the world’s most popular cities.
CONTENTS
About London
England's capital city sits in the South East of England, attracting thousands of students from the UK and abroad. London’s population is just over nine million and offers much more than red phone boxes and royal guards in tall furry hats.
Cosmopolitan by nature, London’s a melting pot of cultures that shape its unique identity. No two boroughs are the same – exploring Hackney will feel vastly different to Kensington. Whether during the week or on weekends, there’s plenty to keep you busy when you’re not studying.
Universities in London
London has more universities than any other city in the UK, meaning you’re bound to find course options for the subject you’re interested in. The universities in London that rank within the top seventy-five of the 2024 league tables are:
- Brunel University London
- City, University of London
- Goldsmiths, University of London
- Imperial College London
- KCL (King’s College London)
- LSE (London School of Economics and Political Science)
- Queen Mary University of London
- Royal Holloway, University of London
- SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies)
- St George’s, University of London
- UCL (University College London)
- University of the Arts London
Our Universities in London article is where you can find more information about entry requirements and university facilities.
Living in London
Many think London’s expensive. Although it’s not the cheapest student city, you can certainly find affordable accommodation.
First-year students typically live in student halls provided by the uni. Options will vary in price based on where you study, but you can do your research beforehand to see what options fit within your budget. Halls sit near the uni’s campus and should be close enough to the necessary public transport links needed to reach the campus.
After first year many students move into private accommodation. These will be independent of the uni and you’ll need to organise this yourself. Be prepared to share a house with a few people if you’re after cheaper rent. Decide who you want to live with and start searching for flats in the second semester of your first year, to have more accommodation options.
The Government acknowledges that London rent prices are on average more than the rest of the UK, so they’ve made more maintenance loan available to London students. Students that live away from home and study in London can get a maintenance loan ranging from £6,166–12,667, compared to those studying outside of London who get between £4,422–9,706.
More info can be found on our page about the cost of living in London as a student.
Getting around London
London’s world-class public transport system means every part of the city is accessible by train or bus. Dedicated cycling lanes make it easy to travel by bike, while walking is just as popular.
Train
London’s Underground and Overground train services will take you throughout the city. Your first few trips may be overwhelming, but you’ll quickly settle in. Using the trains is as simple as tapping in and out using your debit card. You could also buy an Oyster card and top this up as you go. We suggest buying a 16-25 Railcard and attaching this to your Oyster card, which can take as much as 1/3 off the price of each journey.
Citymapper will be your best friend when using London trains. Download their app and you can map out your entire journey, check expected arrival times and receive immediate updates on any delays.
Bus
Travelling via bus is cheaper than the train and can take you closer to the parts of London that the Underground or Overground can’t. Simply tap in with a debit Oyster card. You won’t need to tap out when you hop off. Using the Citymapper app will also be helpful.
Cycle
Cycling around London is encouraged. You’ll not only stay fit but you’ll save money. Dedicated cycle lanes make it both easy and safe to navigate the roads. Great deals on new bikes can be found in many bike shops throughout London, or you can checkout out anyone selling their second-hand bike on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree. Remember to also budget for a helmet and a bike lock.
You can also hire Santander bikes around the city. To hire the bike is free for the first 30 minutes but will only cost you £2 to hire for the entire day. Download the Santander Cycles app to find bike docking stations and check whether any bikes are available.
Walk
Walking is another great travel option. It’s a chance to get fresh air, exercise and explore the local London boroughs.
Other transport
Uber, Bolt and FREE NOW are all ride-hailing services operating in London. These three options will be a cheaper alternative to London’s famous black cabs.
Things to do in London
It’s not possible to run out of things to do in London. There’s something for everyone, both on weekends and throughout the week.
Food & drink
Name any cuisine and you’ll find it in London. London’s food scene is eclectic, with Borough Markets, Spitalfields Market and Portobello Road Markets all offering cheap, quality street food. Shoreditch, Hackney, Camden, and Islington are other goldmines for food-lovers.
The more central you are in London, the more expensive drinks tend to be. Many pubs, bars and restaurants offer happy hours, so it’s worth researching the best places near you.
Arts & culture
London bursts with creativity. Art fills the streets of East London, live theatre captivates the city centre at night while live music can be heard in every borough. London’s also synonymous with history. The city’s sprawled with ancient architecture, monuments, and iconic landmarks. Museums, such as the Natural History Museum and the British Museum, alongside stunning art galleries, like Tate Modern and the National Gallery, will keep you well entertained.
Events
Every night London has something on. Theatre, sport, comedy, and music are just the beginning. Don’t be disheartened and assume that events are always expensive. Apps such as TodayTix have theatre tickets for as low as £10, while places like the Top Secret Comedy Club have shows each night throughout the week that are either free or £1 entry. You can research and find plenty of deals online.
Outdoors
London’s very metropolitan, yet it’s also filled with parks and natural spaces. Holland Park, Regent’s Park or Hampstead Heath are beautiful locations near the city. Further out of the city check out Sussex, Kent, and Surrey – all of which are filled with countryside landscapes accessible via train. Wander around your local area too and see what smaller parks are around.
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