London at a glance
London is England’s capital, located in the South East of the country. It's a large city, home to nearly 9 million people.
London is a thriving, multicultural city with a rich history and a wide range of cultures, food, and entertainment. Pair that with iconic locations, worldwide notoriety, and a bustling centre, London is vibrant city with a huge international student hub.
It's very multicultural and dynamic. You won't be bored in London, and there is definitely something to suit everyone's taste. It's great if you want to feel part of a bigger community, and not just restricted to the university campus and student events. (University College London student)
Airports
Train Stations
Student population
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Browse through the array of universities and colleges in London to find one that suits you.
Student life in London
Local gems, tips and things to do, as recommended by students:
Treat yourself
Feeling cultural
Grab a bite
Sunday chilling
Cost of accommodation, travel, and socialising
London is an international metropolis, merging many cultures together, with millions of people living side-by-side. But, it does come with a steeper price tag – ranking the 15th most expensive city to live.
However, with clever budgeting and a bit of research, you can avoid the most expensive areas, find cheap deals and discounts, and discover hidden gems that won’t break the bank.
To find out more about finances, budgeting, and scholarships, visit our financial information page.
London -- Tube and rail
You can also get an ‘oyster card’ to load with money and use on any Transport for London (TfL) operated tube, train, bus, or tram. There's also a student oyster card, saving you 30% on all rail, bus, tube and tram journeys.
This card will also get capped meaning you can travel on these as many times as you like in 24 hours, and you won’t be charged over this amount.
Buses and trams
Using your 18+ student oyster card, bus fares are capped daily at £5.25.
There’s also a ‘hopper’ fare, meaning you can travel on as many buses or trams you like within an hour. This is capped at £1.75.
It’s worth noting that it's possible to walk to a lot of different locations in Central London, which can save you a lot of money (although not time).
Travelling around the city
London has one of the most comprehensive public transport systems in the world, with the London Underground (known as the ‘tube’), buses, trams, bikes, and even boats.
London is split into ‘zones’, with each zone having a different fare. For example, if you stay within zones 1 and 2 (central London) your travel cost will be lower than if you travel out to zone 5.
Entertainment and socialising
There’s plenty of places to go and things to see around London – a lot of them free.
Remember, areas in London vary in prices and quality, so keep an eye out for more reasonable prices by steering clear of main roads and touristy areas, which will always be more expensive.
Most museums and galleries are free and there’s plenty of landmarks, parks, and locations to visit that won’t cost you a penny.
There are also a lot of pubs, restaurants, and attractions offering student discounts. Be on the lookout for happy hours around the city too – going out a little earlier can save you a lot of money.
For groceries, it’s worth shopping around, making sure to get your ingredients at markets, greengrocers, or more budget-friendly supermarkets such as Lidl and Aldi.
International student information
Discover everything you need to know as an international student planning to come to the UK.
Whether you're coming for the first time, returning for postgraduate, or are still waiting to make a decision, our international pages can help you prepare as best you can for life in the UK.
Accommodation
The National Union of Student (NUS) estimates you’re likely to spend around £1,200 more per year to rent in London than you would in other UK cities.
Many international and domestic students opt for university accommodation or independent providers. If you share accommodation, you can spread your costs significantly, helping to lower your overall monthly expenditure.
Here’s some examples of how the prices vary:
(Please note: Prices are just an indication and may vary from provider to provider.)
| Room in a house share | £1,000pcm - £2,000pcm |
| Furnished studio flat (average) | £600pcm - £1,100pcm |
| One-bedroom flat (furnished) | At least £1,500pcm |
A lot of rental properties in London are listed as per-week (pw), so make sure you’re looking at the right cost and can afford it. You can multiply the weekly cost by 4.3 times to get to close to a monthly cost.
Notting Hill Gate – I really like living in this area, since it's close to two parks (Kensington Gardens and Holland Park). It's quite close to my university, and I can reach it daily by walking 30 minutes through the park, which is essential for my wellbeing. There are plenty of shops (M&S, Tesco's, Waitrose) less than ten minutes from my home. There's a Farmer's Market every Saturday. It's close to the Central line [tube], and [a] 20-minute walk from Shepherd's Bush Westfield [shopping centre]. There are plenty of cute pubs and nice looking buildings [on] Portobello Road. (Third year student, Imperial College London)
Basic safety
It’s important to adhere to basic safety practices when studying and living in any city. Being aware of your surroundings is always wise, especially in busy and populated areas.
Some basic advice from the Metropolitan Police will help to ensure you stay as free from crime as possible:
- Keep your valuables hidden and don’t carry large amount of cash.
- Beware of scams, such as street hustlers, unlicensed taxis, and non-official sellers.
- Keep your belongings, shopping, and luggage close to you at all times.
- Don’t leave your drinks unattended or accept them from strangers.
- Travel as a group and always make sure you tell your friends you got home safely, and vice versa.
- Double check all taxis have a visible and valid licence before using them.
UCAS Hub
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