THE CAREERS AND HIGHER EDUCATION MAGAZINE FROM THE INSPIRING FUTURES FOUNDATION
Why study in London?

‘When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life’. So said Samuel Johnson and I agree! London has something for everyone, whether your interest is in sports, the arts, shopping, restaurants, business…

It’s a great city in which to spend your student years, although with 40 universities, it can seem overwhelming. There are campus universities – eg, Queen Mary, University of London, and Royal Holloway – which are very much separate from the local area. City-centre universities – eg City University and SOAS – on the other hand are a part of the local community and a great way to get to know London.  

There are also ‘old’ and ‘new’ universities. The former have long histories and include Goldsmiths, Queen Mary, LSE, and UCL to name but a few. The ‘new’ universities are the former polytechnics, which gained university status in 1992. These include Kingston and Westminster. Spanning the two is City University. Established in 1894 it became a university in 1966 and is now home to Cass, one of Europe’s leading business schools.

The range of degree courses in London is almost infinite – whatever your area of interest, from accounting to world music, from actuarial science to veterinary science, you are almost guaranteed to find the course you’re looking for. There are even specialist institutions – the Royal Academy of Dance; the Royal Veterinary College, the School of Pharmacy… Again this may seem overwhelming but you’ll soon find the five you need for your UCAS application form – look out for advice on choosing universities in future issues of Careerscope. 

London has a reputation as an expensive city; however there are always cheaper options, with cinemas, nightclubs, cafes, restaurants and even shops offering student discounts. You’ll also be eligible for discounted rates on tubes and buses.

Wherever you live, rent will inevitably take the largest chunk from your budget. It really pays to shop around, so check the accommodation costs at the universities you’re interested in. A quick check of prices of halls of residence around the country showed no pattern whatsoever in terms of ‘cheap’ and ‘expensive’ areas.

You’ll probably live in university ‘halls of residence’ for your first year – a great way to settle in and make new friends. If you’re considering privately rented accommodation, central London is most expensive, with prices falling as you travel further out. You don’t have to go far to find a bargain though – eg Finsbury Park in zone 2 offers rents which are much lower than those in zone 1!

If you live a little further from Uni, the frequent buses and tubes make it very easy to get around, or a bike will save you money and keep you fit. Whichever you go for, do check out journey times to and from the university to where you’ll be living, before you sign a lease on a flat!

London really does offer endless opportunities for your social life. If you like the cinema, take in a premier at Leicester Square; if you prefer art, then don’t miss the Tate Modern. If shopping is your thing then there’s Oxford Circus, Covent Garden, Camden Market…endless options! There are also frequent sporting fixtures and Wembley Stadium, Twickenham and Lord’s are all within easy reach. If you prefer to participate in sports, then most universities have gyms which are relatively cheap to join, as well as clubs which mean you can carry on with your favourite sport.

The majority of students work whilst they are studying and this is one area in which London really comes into its own – there are work opportunities aplenty! Whether you’re looking for casual work in a restaurant, or an internship in the holidays to boost your CV with experience relevant to your degree, work is readily available and considerably more highly paid than in other areas of the country. So, student life in London really pays!

Specialist libraries and institutions including the British Library, the Public Records Office and many museums, are also easily accessible. You’ll also be at the heart of business, finance, the creative industries, law and the Government – and it’s likely that your university has links with organisations in these sectors. For example, City University’s Cass Business School is located at the edge of the City, the world’s leading financial centre, so practitioners from the City advise on course content and give guest lectures. These links prove a real bonus when it comes to looking for an internship, a professional placement if you’re doing a sandwich degree, and of course, graduate employment.

The title of this article is ‘Why study in London’ but having read it I’m sure you’ll be asking yourself, ‘Why not study in London?’