Living in London
When deciding where to start your study abroad journey, London should be top of your list. With international students from all over the world choosing London as their home, you'll be joining a thriving and diverse community here. Immerse yourself in local London, with cool street markets, art and fashionable shops – and enjoy life set amongst the bright lights of England's capital city. Whoever you are and whatever you enjoy, you'll love living in the heart of London.
What makes London unique?
The best city in the world for university students (QS Best Student Cities 2023).
Home to 4 of the world's top 45 universities (QS World University Rankings 2021).
Home to 100,000+ international students from all over the world
Thousands of green parks and beautiful open spaces.
A global capital of culture, with hundreds of museums, galleries and live music performances every day.
What are the most popular attractions in London?
The INTO London World Education Centre's central location combines the professional atmosphere of London's financial district with the creative culture of nearby Shoreditch. And with four World Heritage sites and hundreds of world famous attractions across the city, you won’t ever be bored in London. You could discover:
world-famous landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, where the Royal Family live
free museums like the Tate Modern and the Natural History Museum
once-in-a-lifetime arts exhibitions at the V&A museum
the real crown jewels in the Tower of London
a bird's-eye view of the city from the London Eye or the Shard.
What is the nightlife like in London?
London is well known for its non-stop nightlife, with thousands of stylish venues to explore. On any night of the week you will find a range of events, many of which are free or discounted for students.
There are also hundreds of comedy nights, musicals and theatre shows to see, and countless cinemas showing everything from the latest Hollywood blockbusters to the best of international film.
Where can I watch and play sport in London?
Watch a football match at Wembley, a rugby game at Twickenham, cricket at Lords or tennis at Wimbledon. You're spoilt for sporting choice in London. Would you rather take part than watch? London’s student unions offer a full range of sports and are a great way to keep fit and meet new friends.
The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park offers a range of world-class sports facilities and is just a couple of tube stops away from campus. Cycle round the Lee Valley VeloPark or swim in the London Aquatics Centre as the Olympians did in the 2012 Olympic Games.
Where can I find the best food in London?
From Chinese to Italian, French to Indian, Lebanese to Korean, there are thousands of restaurants, markets, street stalls and cafés of all price ranges that reflect the city’s multicultural population.
Head to Chinatown for a wide selection of Chinese restaurants, Brick Lane for a curry or Brixton for Caribbean cuisine.
Of course, don’t forget to enjoy some of the UK’s specialties like fish and chips or a traditional roast dinner in a cosy pub.
I love shopping in my spare time. Where can I shop in London?
There is something for everyone in London, from bustling street markets to iconic department stores and flagship fashion brands. You'll find all kinds of treasures when you explore:
Camden and Spitalfields markets – full of independent vendors selling clothing, jewellery, food and more
Oxford Street – one of the world's most famous shopping streets with huge flagship stores including Topshop, the Disney Store and Liberty London
Westfield Stratford City – Europe's largest urban shopping centre, offering a mix of high street and designer stores
Harrods and Selfridges – two of London's most famous department stores, with designer clothes, high-end homeware and impressive food halls!
Does London play host to any festivals or events?
Events and festivals throughout the year, along with the huge variety of food from across the world, reflect London’s multicultural diversity – some of the biggest celebrations can be found here. You could experience:
Notting Hill Carnival, a huge Carribbean celebration at Europe's biggest street party
Chinese New Year in London, the largest of its kind outside of Asia
Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, the ultimate winter event with rides, food, stalls and other festive fun
Trooping the Colour, a special annual parade to celebrate the Queen's birthday
For more information about events in London, visit the Visit London website.
What is the best way to get around in London?
The Tube/Underground
London might be a big city, but getting around couldn’t be easier. It is served by a huge underground network of trains called the ‘Tube’. They run every few minutes on routes called ‘lines’ – and with 270+ Tube stations altogether, it’s no wonder the Tube is one of the most popular ways to travel.
Buses
As well as the Tube, the iconic red buses are a great budget-friendly travel option. You can no longer use cash to pay, so you’ll need an Oyster or contactless payment card. An Oyster card also gets you great discounts on the Tube, so it’s worth getting one when you arrive.
Walking
While you probably won’t be able to walk everywhere, one of the best ways to explore is on foot. It’s often quicker to walk than to catch a tube or bus – plus, you’ll have time to admire the historical architecture, find hidden places to visit and see more of this beautiful city.
Cycling
London is perfect for exploring by bike, with cycle lanes and docking stations where you can hire one whenever you like. It costs as little as £2, and you can easily pay with a bank card using a touch screen. You don’t have to book – simply hire a bike, ride it wherever you like, and return it to any docking station once you’re done.
How can I explore the rest of the UK?
London has excellent transport links to explore the rest of the UK and Europe.
There are nine major train stations in London that provide links across the UK. And you can also visit other European cities, including Paris, Brussels and Lille using the Eurostar.
Five major airports serve London, including Heathrow, one of the world's busiest airports. All of the airports are easy to get to using public transport, and offer flights to other cities in the UK, mainland Europe and long-haul international flights.