London has always been one of the most popular global destinations for university students, and with good reason.
Not only is it a great place to get a top-notch university education at some of the leading universities in the world, but it is also a truly buzzing hub of culture, business opportunities, and endless things to see and do.
Read on to find out more about life in the UK’s capital, and why you should study in London.
Why Study in London for University?
Part of what? London is hard to define, as it’s such a vast melting pot of different industries, cultures, people, and opportunities. It is also the seat of power for the UK, and one of the world-leading centres for arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, health, media, tourism and communications.
You can definitely feel that there’s something special about the place.
But why study in London for university when there are other great cities out there? Because London is so much more than just another student city – it’s an experience!
Keep reading to find out why.
World-class universities
London has more universities than any other UK city – a whopping 18 in total! Some of those universities are truly prestigious, and you’ve almost definitely heard of them. Imperial College London, University College London, and King's College London all rank highly on international ratings and offer diverse courses for all disciplines and areas of expertise. They also look awesome on a CV.
There’s literally no limit to the possibilities when it comes to courses and subjects – all you have to do is find the right one for you and then start preparing for living in London!
Here are some practical tips on What You Need to Know Before Moving to London as a Student.
Diverse student body
London is one of the most diverse cities in the world with a huge student population. Over 300 languages are spoken there, and hundreds of thousands of international students flock to the city to take advantage of the opportunities on offer.
That mixed student body gives an incredibly buzzy, youthful vibe to the city and makes the city a super exciting place to spend your uni years.
Being surrounded by people from all over the world, you’ll have the chance to make new friends and potential travel buddies, not to mention an extra reason to learn a new language. Don’t underestimate how valuable travel and languages are to future employers in this globalised world.
Speaking of travelling, it’s made easy in London, thanks to some amazing transport links like the London Underground, extensive train and bus networks, and international airports.
More on that here: The Top Benefits of Travelling for Students
Career opportunities
Many students choose to stay in London after graduation because it’s one of the world’s biggest finance and business centres, pulsating with power and potential for a thriving career.
That means endless networking opportunities with a range of professionals from all fields, countless job openings and every type of business you could ever dream of. It’s all here, and if you can’t find it, you can make it yourself. London is the sort of place that favours a go-getter attitude, and there are always start-up businesses springing up throughout the city.
Even while you’re still studying in London, you’ll be able to gain work experience and rub shoulders with some of the world’s brightest business leaders. Your university probably arranges work placements, so it’s worth asking. Fortune favours the brave!
For more pointers on how to get ahead in your career while at uni, check out this blog: Top Underrated Career Advice for University Students.
Cultural attractions
‘Why study in London for university?’ is not so much the correct question as ‘how can you possibly get down to studying in London when you’re surrounded by so many amazing things to see and do?!’
Obviously studying takes priority, but honestly – in your spare time, you will literally never be bored in London unless you choose to be.
London is home to not one, not two, but four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Tower of London, Kew Gardens, the Palace of Westminster, and the Greenwich Royal Observatory (which defines the time on the clock – i.e. Greenwich Mean Time – we told you London was powerful!)
As if that weren’t enough, other attractions in the city include Tower Bridge, the London Eye, Buckingham Palace, the British Museum, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament, and St Paul’s Cathedral.
We haven’t even gotten around to mentioning iconic architectural landmarks like the Shard and the Cheesegrater, but we’d be here all day if we did!
What else? There are world-class museums, art galleries and libraries in London, as well as over 100 theatres, infinite shopping opportunities, restaurants serving every conceivable type of cuisine, and some of the biggest public parks in the world.
And all that is just the tip of the iceberg – we haven’t even mentioned the unique vibes in different neighbourhoods. That’s a whole blog in itself: Best Areas to Live in London for Students.
Social life
You’re young, you’re exploring a new city and seeing what the world has to offer. There’s every reason why you should enjoy yourself – after all, uni is meant to be fun and not just all about hunching over a laptop screen 24/7.
When it comes to letting your hair down, there are as many ways to do it in London as there are grains of sand on a beach.
London is always alive and kicking with concerts, events, and nightlife. The O2 Arena hosts massive music, sports, and comedy events, with big names like Liam Gallagher and Stormzy among recent performers. The annual BRIT awards ceremony is held there too.
For drinks and dancing with friends, there are more than enough venues to keep everyone happy. Whether it be down-to-earth pubs packed with locals, sophisticated and swish cocktail bars, cool live music venues, or bouncing nightclubs, you’ll find yourself at home in the UK capital.
Aside from all that, there are a ton of university societies and meet-up groups for every hobby and social demographic. Having those social groups to meet like-minded people can really make a huge difference to your overall uni experience, so make sure you check out what’s on offer!
Here are some of our top tips on How to Make Friends in London as a Student.
The City of Success
The real question is, who wouldn’t want a world-class education in a top-ranking higher education institution, building up a sterling CV, making international friends, while having an incredible student experience and living in the best student accommodation in the UK?
And one final question for you – can you really stand to pass up on all this?
If you’re studying in London and looking for accommodation, look no further than Wick Park. Bookings for September 24 launch this November!