Advantages of studying in London

No matter where you are in London or what time of the night it is, you can easily get around. The city is well-connected with its walking routes, train lines and fun-filled Tuk-Tuk’s. London’s famous Transport for London (TfL) network makes it effortless to travel by bus or train almost anywhere in the city at any time – with a night tube and night buses running 24/7. One of the huge advantages of living and studying in London is that you can save 30% on travel costs with the city’s 18+ Student Oyster.

If you prefer more active transportation, then travelling by bus or train is not your only option in the UK’s capital. There are scenic walking routes all around the city and you can cycle anywhere in London without even needing to own a bike. Forget trying to locate a bike shed wherever you go. London has over 750 cycle docking stations that you can use 24/7 to hire a bike – without pre-booking. With a student discount on yearly membership via Student Beans, you can cycle around London at any hour for less than 20p per day.

However, London is not just connected from within. Escaping the city is just as easy. You can catch a train heading almost anywhere in the UK from London. In just a few hours, you can be on the beach in Brighton or amongst the waterfalls in Wales. You can also travel abroad at one of five international airports or into France via the high-speed Eurostar at King’s Cross St. Pancras.

Did you know that almost 50% of London is green space? One of the greatest advantages of studying in London is that you get the best of both worlds. Amongst the skyscrapers are huge nature reserves and green spaces where you can enjoy a taste of the countryside. Whether you are looking for a scenic place to study in nature or an outdoor hang-out spot with friends on a summer’s day, London has an abundance of green spaces filled with wildlife that you can take advantage of while studying in the UK’s capital city.

With over 40 universities in London, the city has one of the highest concentrations of higher education institutions in the world. Over 400,000 students are estimated to live and study in London, giving you endless opportunities to network with students on similar career paths as you. Since there are so many other students living in London, you’ll also have access to countless study groups and grand libraries that you can spend the day in. But that’s not all – you’ll also be able to take advantage of numerous local cafés that stay open late and specifically cater for students who want to work amongst the buzz of the city.

Renowned as a foodie haven, London has something for everyone’s taste buds. You can find classic UK dishes – like pie and mash or fish and chips – as well as cuisines from all over the world – like Korean, Indian, Thai and Japanese! London is famous for its street-food markets, cheap and cheerful classics and fine dining experiences. Whether you like to eat takeaway food on the river at Southbank, pick up a beigel at 3am or head out for a bottomless brunch in Soho, you can experience unique food from around the world by choosing to study in London.

With entertainment on your doorstep, London is full of things for students to do during the day or night for an avid social life. One of the best things about studying in London is that the city has varied tastes when it comes to how they like to spend their free time. This will give you unlimited opportunities to socialise with your classmates and make new friends in the city. However you like to spend your free time, there’s an array of nightlife and daytime entertainment for every student in London.

In the daytime, you can visit attractions, go shopping, explore nature or catch a matinée performance in the West End. For evening entertainment, you can head out for drinks at one of the many unique bars in Soho, Camden or Shoreditch. You’ll find quirky drinking spots at ground level, under the streets of London in basements or up with the skyscrapers on a rooftop. London’s bars are known for catering to everyone’s music tastes, from heavy metal to classic pop and live performances.

One of the advantages of living in London is that you can meet people from all over the world. London has become one of the most diverse cities across the globe, with over 300 languages spoken here. Of the entire student population in London, almost 30% are international. Studying here will no doubt expand your friendship circle. As you meet people from different places, you can learn about different cultures and open your mind to new possibilities and ideologies. Some studies even attribute better problem-solving skills, increased creativity and higher emotional intelligence from people who have a multicultural friendship circle. However, that’s not as important as the fact that meeting people from around the world when studying in London means you’ll gain friends with different characteristics and strengths. And the strong friendships that you build while studying in London can help support you in your uni years – and beyond!

The streets of London have experienced some of the most significant events in British history. By studying in the city, you’ll be forever surrounded by some of the world’s most popular and fascinating historic sites. As a student in London, you can experience history, both dark and light, just by going about your day-to-day life. Like how you can study at the café in St Martin’s Crypt or see where Kings and Queens were crowned as you pass Westminster Abbey. Plus, many of London’s top historic attractions are completely free or can be experienced at a discount for students. You can ride the London Eye at a reduced price, visit the Natural History Museum free of charge, take a tour of Churchill’s War Rooms for less cash – and so much more!

Higher education in the UK has a strong international reputation and London is bursting with career-building opportunities! Since the city is one of the largest business hubs in the world, you won’t just be surrounded by students on similar career paths as you. You’ll also encounter business people and entrepreneurs wherever you go. By studying in London, you can get ahead of the game in your career by volunteering in almost any industry, networking with top businesses, choosing from a vast selection of careers and visiting one of the many self-development expos at the ExCel Centre (just a short train or cycle ride from campus).

There are so many benefits of studying in London that this list doesn’t do it justice! Read more about student life in London and see for yourself just how much there is on offer when you choose to study in the capital.