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Are you thinking about attending university in London? Are you already there? In either case, you’ve made a fantastic decision!
The capital of the United Kingdom is a melting pot of people from all walks of life, and you’re sure to find people and places that will help you make it your new home.
But what precisely does London have to offer students?
We’ve curated a definitive guide to a city that was just named as the finest student city in the world to address all of these questions and more!
Cost of living in London
We won’t lie, living in the capital isn’t cheap – in fact, it has the highest cost of living when compared to any other city in the United Kingdom.
Every year, the National Student Money Survey is conducted, and London regularly ranks as the most costly city for students to live in. In 2019, students at London institutions spent an average of £900 per month, which was £93 more than the national average.
The most significant contributor is rent, which in London averages £485 a month, which is £54 more than the national average of £431.
But it does not only have a roof over your head that costs more in London than in the rest of the country — almost every sort of spending is greater in the city of London. As a result, students from London receive a bigger Maintenance Loan than students from other parts of the country.
The sole exception (according to statistics) is the expense of socialising, as seen in the chart below. However, anyone who has ever seen the price of a pint in London will agree that this could just indicate that students in this city go out to eat less frequently than students in other parts of the UK (or just partying less).
Transport
The public transportation system in London is undoubtedly the best in the United Kingdom and certainly the biggest.
There’s the DLR (an automated light train), trams, the London Overground, buses, boats, countless National Rail services, and even a cable car, in addition to the world-famous London Underground network (the Tube).
When taking public transportation in London, there are a few important things to keep in mind. One is that ticket rates often differ depending on whether you go during peak or off-peak hours.
Peak fares are valid from 6.30 a.m. to 9.30 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., going from Monday through Friday (excluding holidays). Off-peak fares are available at all other times, also if you’re travelling from a station that is outside Zone 1 to within Zone 1 during the afternoon peak time period.
The Tube, DLR, TfL Rail, London Overground, and National Rail services in London are all subject to the peak/off-peak arrangement, while other modes of public transportation are not.
Just in case if you’re wondering what Zone 1 means, it’s because the London transport system is divided into zones, as illustrated in this map of every station on the network (excluding buses). Travelling between zones and into London’s central business district (lower-numbered zones) is more expensive than travelling within a single zone that is away from the centre
You don’t need to worry if it all looks a little overwhelming at first; most non-native Londoners agree that the London transportation system is relatively simple to learn.
Where to live in London
As you might have already assumed from the previous section on transportation, London is not just large but also extremely well linked.
So much so that we’re willing to put our necks out and state that you can travel between any two points in London in under two hours (which sounds long…..and it is. But is quite astounding given the sheer expanse of the city.
This implies that, even if your university is located in one section of London, you can live in another part of the city and still make it to uni within the boundaries of a ‘normal’ commute keeping in mind whether or not you want the inconvenience of a two-hour commute, is another thing altogether.
This is especially true if your university is located in or near the heart of London. These regions are easily accessible from almost any place in the city, and you shall be able to get there within an hour and a half if you live near a Tube or National Rail station.
As a result, many students at London universities who reside in the same city as their family choose not to move out when they start university. If the expense of commuting isn’t too high, this usually works out to be a cheaper choice.
However, we recognise that, especially if you’re new to the city, you may not be willing to spend an hour commuting or in some cases, even more, to get to university. So, what are your options?
Private housing
Students at most UK institutions are urged to plan their lodgings for the next academic year between January and March. While this is possible in London, it is far more difficult and certainly not the norm.
This is because of the fact that, unlike most other cities, there is a lack of specific student housing in the London market, except a bunch of them. Instead, students must go to the general rental market and look for a place.
However, many landlords refuse to rent to students, effectively eliminating a segment of the market. Furthermore, it’s very normal in London to start looking for a home just a month or two (often even less!) before you need to move in, which isn’t ideal if you’re travelling home for the summer.
Student accommodation in London is quite scarce. As a result, houses are frequently picked up fast, making rent negotiations tough.
Although it may appear that the London rental market is doom and gloom, we are simply advising you to be practical and prepared. Here are some of our best options and recommendations for private student accommodation in London:
- Start looking in May or June to see if there are any suitable properties for late August or early September.
- Expect to be let down just a few times through your hunt, whether it’s due to landlords who don’t accept students or because a home has been snatched up before you.
- Use your university’s list of approved landlords/real estate agents to avoid being taken advantage of or being rented a subpar house.
Halls of residence
Although most institutions will have some halls of residence, the quantity is far lower than elsewhere in the country.
Many London universities, particularly those near the city’s centre, do not guarantee first-year students a spot in halls. Some may even automatically reject housing applications from students who already reside close to the university.
However, the University of London (UoL, a collegiate made up of a number of London’s universities) has many standalone halls near the city’s centre to help relieve some of the demand on university halls of residence.
There are nine Intercollegiate Halls at the University of London in total, albeit not all of them admit all categories of students (first-year undergraduates or PhD students may be excluded, for example).
Most universities within the University of London are allotted a specific number of rooms across the halls. However, rent is often higher than in each university’s own accommodation.
Need help in finding accommodation for you?
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Author’s Bio:
Anannya Chaudhary is a content writer living in Delhi. As soon as the clock strikes the completion of the last working minute of the office hours, you can find her on the way to her favourite food joint, brimming with excitement to devour a plate of chicken momos. You could classify her as that one designated annoying friend who makes you cry if you resist her dragging you to the dance floor.
