5 Reasons to Study in London

If your student budget doesn't stretch to the glamorous designer boutiques of Bond Street, there are still plenty of options to get your shopping fix. The famous Oxford Street, welcoming half a million daily visitors, has one of the world’s largest selections of department and high street stores, while the outskirts of the city boast two large branches of the Westfield malls.

If you’re after something a bit more quirky, then why not browse one of London’s many markets? Whether you want to shop for alternative fashion in Camden, graze on food samples in Borough Market or hunt through vintage gems and bric-a-brac in Portobello Market, there’s something for everyone.

London is large, but incredibly well-connected and getting around can be quick and easy. Grab an Oyster card (students get a discount) and you’ll get access to a sprawling transport network of tubes, trams and buses.

London’s famous ‘Boris Bikes’ (nicknamed after former mayor Boris Johnson) are a fun and inexpensive way to get from A to B if cycling is your thing. Walking is also a great way to get healthy, save money and take in more of the city’s distinctive neighborhoods. Check out Transport for London’s Student Guide to Travel for some more useful tips.

Samuel Johnson famously said that when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life. And that may well be true! London is jam-packed with more than enough entertainment options to see you through a three-year bachelor’s degree, and well into your postgraduate years as well. On your quest to take in the big sights (Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Big Ben, etc.) you’ll start to uncover lots of little gems along the way.

If you want to venture away from the student union, London after dark offers up a dizzying array of pubs, clubs and nightclubs. Many offer student deals, so you can save some pennies while dancing the night away. The Time Out guide to London can point you in the right direction of what’s going on in your area for the weeks ahead.

Whilst some tourist attractions can be pricey, there’s plenty to do in London for free. The city is filled with galleries and museums which won’t cost you a penny, and double up as fun learning resources where you can search for inspiration.

The British Library is a must-visit for every student. Housing over 14 million books, and the second-largest library in the world, this is one of the best research resources you’ll find in London. Check out the museum quarter in South Kensington, home to the V&A, Science Museum and National History Museum, all of which are a stone’s throw from each other. Art lovers will love the National Gallery and Tate Modern.  Fancy some more inspiration?  Check out Visit London’s guide to 101 Free Things to do in London.

Emily writes for Inspiring Interns, a graduate recruitment agency which specializes in sourcing candidates for internships and giving out graduate careers advice. To browse their graduate jobs, visit their website.

Want more content like this? Register for free site membership to get regular updates and your own personal content feed.