Ten reasons to study abroad in London

London is one of the world’s most leading and financial cities in the world. Because of this, there are huge opportunities for professional growth and therefore it is the perfect place to prepare for life after university, such as starting an exciting career.

London is known as a global centre for academic excellence and is home to world-leading research in science, medicine and more. Some of the most groundbreaking discoveries in science and medicine have been made at London universities, such as DNA, penicillin and fingerprints. The capital is also a global hub for industries including finance, fashion, publishing and media.

This is an excellent city to network and make connections with professionals around you. During your studies at university, there may be opportunities to work or intern for companies in your desired career. This is a great way to build upon your skills and develop your CV. There are graduate opportunities for a broad range of careers, with plenty of part time jobs, internships, placements and graduate schemes available. London graduates enjoy some of the highest starting salaries in the UK, so as long as you are prepared to work hard, you are going to thrive here!

London is extremely well-connected when it comes to public transport. With public buses, bikes, trains and the tube, you are spoilt for choice with how to travel around the city! There are even night buses and night tubes, making it easy to get home at any time of the day and night. Downloading travel apps such as Citymapper will help you get to grips with transport options, and it also displays live timings between any two locations.

Good news, students are even able to get a 30% discount on travel round the city, with an Oyster card and a 16-25 Railcard.

Whilst you’re in London, if you can afford it, it’s a great excuse to discover the UK. London has excellent transport links to explore the rest of the UK and Europe – including Paris, Brussels and Lille using the Eurostar. It’s also very easy to travel to the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland. London also has five major airports, all of which offer flights to other cities in the UK, mainland Europe and long-haul international flights. This also offers students the advantage of easy and affordable travel to Africa, the Middle East, and even the USA, making it a convenient hub for exploring new cultures and expanding your horizons.

When it comes to the United Kingdom, there are trains to take you everywhere and anywhere. In just a few short hours, you can be relaxing at the beach in Brighton or exploring beautiful hiking spots, such as the Lake District.

Here are some must-sees in the UK:

• Arthurs Seat, Edinburgh – an ancient volcano which is the main peak in Edinburgh (351m above sea level). At the top, you can admire beautiful views of Edinburgh castle, the Scott Monument and beyond. It is close to the Royal Mile, home to the world’s largest arts festival, The Edinburgh Fringe, which takes place every August.
• Stonehenge, Wiltshire – one of the most iconic monuments in the world. It remains a mystery as to why or how the ring of standing stones was built. It is believed to have been formed between 3000 BC to 2000 BC.
• Brighton Beach – is one of the closest beaches to London. Southern rail operates a train from London Victoria to Brighton every 30 minutes. Tickets cost anywhere between £15 – £45 and the journey takes 58 min. Brighton and Hove is a brilliant city for students and has plenty to do, including excellent nightlife.
• Wells Cathedral, Somerset – one of Britain’s most famous and beautiful cathedrals. It has unique features such as its iconic West Front and the stunning ‘scissor arches’ supporting the central tower. It has one of the largest collections of historic stained glass in the country.

Quick tip – if you buy your train ticket far in advance and travel off-peak (the least popular time), it will save you a lot of money. The Trainline app is a great one for looking at different options for buying tickets and planning routes. So get exploring!

Named one of the world’s most multicultural cities and home to more than 100,000 international students, London brings together a diverse variety of cultures from around the world. This means you’ll be surrounded by people from many different ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, political views, economic classes, and nationalities. With such a diverse student population and over 300 languages spoken in London, you’ll always have someone to talk to!

The benefits of London’s diversity allows you to constantly explore new experiences. The city’s culinary scene has exploded, ranking it among the best foodie destinations, allowing you to sample global flavours from restaurants, grocery stores, and street markets.

The city’s vibrant diversity is evident in street fashion and cultural celebrations like Chinese New Year, Notting Hill Carnival and Diwali.

Therefore, you can attend art exhibitions or live music events featuring international artists. University is also the perfect time to make friends from different backgrounds!

Studying abroad in London will give you the opportunity to discover yourself and people from all different backgrounds. A lot of international students will come away from the London experience with a broader understanding of the world around them.

If it’s history that fascinates you, you’ll be endlessly entertained in London. The city dates back to the Romans, filled with many historical sites, from museums, monuments and royal palaces. There is plenty to discover and explore whilst you’re studying in London. From learning about London’s King and Queens to exploring the city and visiting the historical landmarks.

Some of the must-see historic locations include:

• Westminster Abbey – the traditional place for royal coronations and burial site for British monarchs.
• Tower of London – historic castle founded in 1066 as part of the Norman conquest. It has since served as a royal palace and an infamous prison.
• St Paul’s Cathedral – for more than 1,400 years a Cathedral dedicated to St Paul has stood at the highest point in the City.
• Churchill War Rooms at the Imperial War Museum – it served as a command centre for the British government during the Second World War. The museum lets you discover the rooms that were used during the War and you are able to learn about the life of Churchill.
• Hampton Court Royal Palace – You can tour the rooms, the 60 acres of gardens and discover more about the Tudors and Henry VIII, his wives and children.

For history involving the arts, ‘The Wallace Collection’ is filled with beautiful 17th and 18th century art, including paintings, sculpture, furniture and armour. Theatre and Literature enthusiasts should grab tickets for world-renowned and cultural landmark ‘Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre’, located on the bank of the River Thames. For anyone interested in interior design, ‘The Geffrye Museum’ is the one for you. It specialises in the history of English domestic interiors.

Everywhere you look in London, there are reminders of rich history and that’s what makes the city so unique.

Studying in London means feeling safe and secure. This is due to having access to the UK’s NHS (National Health Service), one of the best healthcare systems in the world, offering safe and modern treatment. The NHS provides a wide range of services including doctor appointments, hospital treatment, reduced price dental care and emergency care.

International students with a visa will need to pay a fee per year to gain access to the NHS. However once it’s paid, you are able to go to the doctor whenever you need to and hopefully get the advice, care or medication you need without worrying about paying for each appointment. Private healthcare is still available in the UK but it is generally not necessary.

London universities take student welfare and mental health seriously. If you feel unhappy or have any problems, there will always be someone to talk to, either your university welfare staff or someone you know in a position of trust. If you experience stress at university, don’t hesitate to contact your tutor, student welfare officer (sometimes an international student officer), or someone at your university’s student union.

Many places in the capital can be expensive but one of the best ways to survive London as an international student is to embrace free activities. The city is home to over 200 museums and countless galleries, most of which have free entry to the public or it is possible they will offer concession rates for students. If you’re interested in arts and history, make sure you check out the Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert, and Tate Modern, to name a few. Some of the world’s most recognisable paintings can be found in London too – such as Monet’s ‘The Water Lily Pond’ and Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’.

Markets are also free to explore in London and each one is unique in its own way. Camden Market is a great one to visit, it has a quirky and lively atmosphere, with over 1000 shops and stalls selling fashion, art, music and food. Borough Market (known for its fresh and delicious food) and Portobello Market (known for its fashion) are also extremely popular in London. Other notable markets include Brixton Market, Greenwich Market and Brick Lane Market.

If you’re a bookworm, there are over 120 libraries across London, including The British Library which houses more than twenty million texts right in the heart of London. There are also plenty of smaller libraries, as well as University libraries which offer unique specialisms.

Although London is known for its busy city life, you’re never far from a green relaxing space. Walk among the deer in Richmond Park or watch the pelicans and water birds in St James’ Park. A few other popular parks include Wimbledon Common, Hyde Park and Park Vista. As a result, this makes it quite easy to find quiet places to study in London and enjoy the greenery. There are other beautiful open spaces, including Highgate Wood or Epping Forest, which are perfect spots to escape the hustle-and-bustle of London.

London is one of the world’s top tourist destinations, attracting around 20 million visitors each year from around the world. One of the key advantages of studying overseas is the chance to see global contemporary architecture, as you can spend endless days exploring London’s best sightseeing locations and never get bored!

Some great tourist attractions include:

• Big Ben – The Houses of Parliament and Elizabeth Tower, commonly called Big Ben is among London’s most iconic landmarks. Big Ben is the name given to the bell inside the clock tower, which weighs more than 13 tons.
• The Shard – at more than 1,000ft tall, you can experience beautiful 360- degree views over London from The Shard.
• Tower Bridge – built between 1886 and 1894, the Bridge that crosses the River Thames, has spent more than a century as London’s defining landmark.
• The London Eye – a rotating observation wheel, over 400 feet high. A perfect place to enjoy amazing 360-degree views over London.
• Trafalgar Square –  Designed in 1830 to commemorate the Battle of Trafalgar, this is one of the most bustling squares in London.
• Buckingham Palace – The Queen’s official London residence and a working royal palace.

For theatre and music lovers, London is the place for unforgettable live performances. From theatre, music, comedy, poetry, talks and more, there is plenty to keep you entertained whilst studying in London.

For theatre, the most renowned location is the West End, which offers a great variety of plays and musicals. In fact, there are more than 200 shows every day in the West End alone. There are also smaller theatres scattered around the city which suit any budget or interest at every time of the year. Make sure you plan well and book in advance. Quick tip: Sign up for National Theatre’s Entry Pass to have the chance to book £10 or less to each of their shows.

There is no question that London has an influential music scene. If you prefer the big gigs – the O2, Wembley Arena or the Royal Albert Hall are all spectacular venues. But if indie bands are more your thing, Camden is the perfect place to be, with venues like The Dublin Castle, Barfly or Proud. Music is everywhere in London.

London is at the very centre of the UK’s comedy scene. The capital includes some of the most highly-rated venues in the world, with thousands of top acts stepping onto the stage every year. From simple stand up through to comedic theatre and improvisation, London is well equipped to keep you laughing all night. If comedy isn’t for you, the city has an acclaimed poetry and spoken word scene, with talks daily across the capital on just about any subject you can think of. London is the perfect place to keep you entertained.

Being the capital city, London is famed for its non-stop nightlife and the best place for a buzzing student social life. Any night of the week, you will find a range of events and there is definitely something for everyone! From evenings of comedy, theatre, music or a night out on the town, there are plenty of fun things to do in London at night.

If you’re looking for glamour, Mayfair clubs or South Kensington bars are where it’s at. Popular places include Dirty Bones Kensington, The Builders Arms or Balans Cafe Bar. Or for the more relaxed and quirky type, Camden Town or Shoreditch are exactly what you are looking for. There are plenty of rooftop bars for the warm summer nights, such as Bar Elba in Waterloo. If you love a pub crawl, Soho has the perfect atmosphere with diverse colourful bars and pubs.

In addition, London boasts over 5000 restaurants, offering authentic global cuisine, from trendy Shoreditch dishes to classic West End gastro pubs. For those who prefer other activities, the London Eye stays open until around 8:30 pm in the summer, providing stunning views of the city.

So, is London a good place to be a student then?

Having been named one of the best university cities in the world, it is clear that London is a top study destination for students everywhere. You’ve just read the many reasons why students love studying in London. From the strong network of university facilities, the broad career opportunities, the thriving social life and the melting pot of cultures, it really is the place to be!

The perks of studying abroad become evident, so If you choose to study here, you will be part of a vibrant and dynamic community. The capital is an international hub for many different industries, making it home to the headquarters of major international corporations, which attracts workers from across the globe.

The decision to study abroad as an international student will help you stand out from the crowd, in an increasingly competitive job market and fast-changing environment. London universities will develop your skills in independent thinking, analytical skills and self-discipline. In addition, studying in English will enable you to improve your English language skills and give you a head start in an international career. The excellence of teaching and research in London is acknowledged worldwide and this will therefore provide excellent opportunities for you after university. In fact, London graduates enjoy some of the highest starting salaries in the UK, averaging at around 27,000 in 2023 and increasing to around 28,000 in 2024.