London life
Home to an unforgettable student experience
Experience the diversity of culture, education, and opportunity awaiting you in London, where every corner holds a new adventure.
Culture
Sport
Travel
Sightseeing/days out
Fashion
Nightlife
Food
The people
Culture
Travel
Sport
Sightseeing/days out
Fashion
Nightlife
Food
People
Culture
Explore London’s diverse and unique culture offering.
London’s exciting music scene has set trends around the world for decades.
You can also find fantastic cinemas throughout London, often with discounts for students. From Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings to Oppenheimer – discover why the UK creates magical cinema moments.
There’s also no shortage of theatre in London. From must-see new plays starring internationally loved actors at the National Theatre to long-running West End musical favourites like The Lion King. At Shakespeare’s Globe you can catch world-class performances of Shakespeare in a true-to-history reconstruction of the Globe Theatre where Shakespeare wrote his plays.
London’s museums have some of the most prestigious, culturally significant collections in the world. Bringing any degree subject to life and connecting London’s diverse communities with essential global perspectives. The British Museum, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museums are just some of London’s many prominent museums.
You will also be able to find like-minded people at your university. University societies are a brilliant way to form friendships and connections in a new place. There’s a university society for you no matter what you’re interested in. Your chosen university will have a list of their societies on their website, or the website of their student union.
Sport
London has 17 football clubs that play in England’s top four football leagues. Arsenal F.C., Tottenham Hotspur F.C., and Chelsea F.C. are just some of the London teams loved around the world.
Every summer London is transformed by Wimbledon – the oldest tennis tournament in the world. London is also home to two world renowned cricket grounds, Lord’s and the Oval. Both venues play host to England international test matches and limited-over matches. You can also watch a range of other sports, see more about what’s on here.
Your university will of course have its own vibrant sports community, with 50+ London universities often battling it out in regular matches. Many university teams even use the facilities built as part of the iconic 2012 London Olympics for training and matches. Sports societies are a massive part of many London students’ university experience. They create lifelong friendships, sporting passions and boost students’ health, fitness, and wellbeing.
Travel
London’s convenient, fast, affordable public transport network, Transport for London, also known as TfL, is used by everyone. There are underground and overground trains throughout the city, as well as our famous red buses. There’s always a convenient cab or Uber nearby too.
The night tube and night bus mean you can access safe, affordable public transport all night long. There are Ubers and taxis available throughout the night as well.
Living in London also gives you the opportunity to travel the UK and even nearby countries. Whether it’s great UK cities like Bristol, Oxford, Manchester, Liverpool, and Edinburgh or the outstanding natural beauty of the Lake District and the Malvern Hills. In 2 hours or less you can fly from London to Dublin or reach Paris by the Eurostar.
Studying in London connects you to incredible opportunities to explore the UK and beyond.
Sightseeing/days out
Visit world famous landmarks, from Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and The London Eye to Big Ben and Tower Bridge.
See London landmarks from 800ft high on the Shard’s viewing platform. For another unique view of London, you could even walk the roof of the 02 Arena. You can see up to 15 miles away with this 360-degree view of London.
There are many incredible days out in London. Whether it’s visiting the SEA LIFE London Aquarium, London Zoo – the world’s oldest zoo, The London Dungeon, or the iconic celebrity wax sculptures of Madame Tussauds.
London also has wonderful, free green spaces, with beautiful public parks like Hyde Park, Regents’ Park, and Victoria Park to name a few. Students often have lunch out in the summer and enjoy a moment of peace in the middle of the bustling city!
Sky Garden – London’s highest public garden – is free for everyone. Enjoy lush greenery, landscaped gardens, restaurants, bars, and special events while seeing London’s iconic skyline from the city’s most infamous open-air terrace.
Shopping and fashion
London is home to Westfield – the largest shopping centre in Europe. Everything from food to fashion, essentials and cinema can be found in Westfield, with two London locations in different places. Europe’s busiest shopping street, Oxford Street, is also a London centre of fashion, food, and other shopping experiences.
For an alternative London shopping experience go to the street markets of Camden and Brick Lane, with street food, thrift shopping and an authentic, unique atmosphere. London has famous luxury stores too such as Harrods, Selfridges, and Louis Vuitton’s London locations.
When it comes to fashion, British and London style has led the way for decades. You only have to think of Alexander McQueen, A-Cold-Wall*, Martine Rose, Fred Perry, Burberry, Palace, the original Dr Martens explosion, and Vivienne Westwood.
The capital is a hub for streetwear and high fashion alike. From the hype of London Fashion Week and popups from the world’s most coveted brands to thrifting in London’s infamous vintage shops and the city kickstarting current streetwear movements.
The V&A museum has showcased historic and contemporary fashion for centuries as the world’s largest design museum.
London’s fashion community, industry and historic legacy also make it an incredible place to study fashion. London universities are global leaders in fashion, arts, and design.
Nightlife
London’s incredible nightlife spans late night restaurants, pubs, clubs, and bars. We also have museums, theatres, cinemas, and art galleries opening late. Tate Modern, one of the world’s leading galleries for modern art, host Tate Lates – free Friday night parties that let you into the gallery after hours with art, live music, film, workshops, and drinks.
You could also catch an evening theatre show or film. One of London’s best-loved cinemas, BFI Southbank screen new films, classic movies, and exclusive premieres. BFI makes most tickets for under 25-year-olds only £3. BFI is also home to the London Film Festival, and BFI IMAX – the UK’s biggest screen. Many other celebrated London cinemas offer similar student discounts.
Whatever music you love you’ll find it in London’s nightlife. Our stadiums and arenas attract global superstars from every genre and era. Our legendary clubs offer infamous nights across hip-hop, house, pop, afrobeats, dancehall, desi and more. You can catch emerging live artists at underground clubs, pubs, and bars with an electric atmosphere. In the summer London parks host open air music festivals with international stars – everyone from Taylor Swift to Jay-Z has performed to thousands of fans. London even has an internationally celebrated scene for new, young live jazz bands too and a prestigious classical community.
Food
From 5-star, Michelin star restaurants to the well-loved, affordable street food of Brick Lane’s iconic market, you’ll discover food from every culture and for every taste throughout London.
Your university will have on campus cafes, venues and canteens offering freshly cooked food. These spaces are often also fantastic social and study areas at the heart of the campus community.
Most universities have affordable shops, supermarkets, and convenience stores nearby. These offer great affordable options, selling food and ingredients from every cuisine and culture.
The people
London is a truly diverse global city and is significantly more diverse than the rest of the UK. London is proud of the melting pot of cultures and communities that has made it the brilliant, vibrant city it is today.
One of the reasons London is ranked #1 as the best student city in the world is how highly it scores for being welcoming to international students.
It’s the people of London that make the capital one of the most exciting and opportunity-filled cities to live and study in.
Whatever your interests or background, you can find your community in London.
