Our International Student Guide to London

2023-03-13

Lifestyle

Just like New York, Paris, Los Angeles or Berlin, London is, without a doubt, one of the world’s great cities, and if you’re lucky enough to have the opportunity, you definitely want to spend some time here. But perhaps even more so than those other, incredible destinations, the capital has become famous for the quality of its schools, colleges and universities. Of course, there’s no real mystery to it: they really do rank as some of the best, known for their rigorous academic standards, their sense of community and, of course, access to the city itself.

So, if you’re planning to study here (or if you’re already in town!) we’ve put together a comprehensive guide, giving you the inside scoop on what you need to know: everything from nightlife, and accommodation to transport and taking in the sights. Because London is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience…   

Days and Nights Out

As long as you’re studying hard, getting to class and handing in those assignments on time, who says you can’t have an amazing social life? There’s just so much to see and do in the city, but you definitely want to check out those classic landmarks, because, up close and personal, they’re pretty spectacular. Whether it’s the London Eye, Tower Bridge or Buckingham Palace (or the Harry Potter Walking Tour), this city is steeped in history. It’s also worth remembering that many of our museums and galleries are free to enter and contain world-renowned exhibitions and artworks that are simply breathtaking to behold. 

For a great night out, you might want to investigate some of the outstanding student club nights (of which there are plenty). These are hugely popular but easy-going, welcoming and can be enjoyed on a budget. The Roxy in Soho, for instance, is a student-friendly basement bar and club, featuring indie and pop club nights that have become the stuff of legend. Then there’s Supa Dupa Fly, which has locations all over the city, including Shoreditch and Tower Bridge, and offers discounted drinks at its superlative hip-hop and R&B club nights. But whatever you’re in the mood for, there’s always a student option that’s tailored just for you…

Getting Around 

London has a world-class transport system, making it safe and easy to get around the city any time of the day or night. Divided into nine fare zones (with zone 1-2 being central London, then increasing in number the further out you get) let’s take a quick look at which travel options cover all of these areas. So, TFL (which stands for Transport for London) is the government body responsible for all aspects of the capital’s transport system. When travelling around any part of town, your best bet is to use a contactless bank card or an Oyster card. Either of these will get you on any bus or the London Underground (aka: The Tube), and they’ll also work on the Overground and the Docklands Light Railway (DLR). 

You can pretty much get anywhere in London on a bus, which is the most popular (and the cheapest) form of public transport. Meanwhile, tube stops are everywhere (almost always within walking distance) with trains usually arriving every 10 minutes or so. The stations can be identified by the famous red logo, with the word ‘Underground’ stated in big, clear letters. The Overground is similar but, as you might’ve already guessed, it runs overground, and follows the same pricing and zone rules as the Underground. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) covers the docklands area of London. This is the area east and southeast of central London. And while all of this might seem a little daunting at first, after just a few trips you’ll be criss-crossing the city like a proper Londoner…  

Renting or Buying Property 

Securing yourself a great place to live whilst you study is, of course, a crucial aspect of living in London. Ideally, you’d rent or buy somewhere close to your college or university, and here at CHBL, we have an extensive range of outstanding apartments, many of them in close proximity to the city’s best educational institutions. These include, amongst others, University College London, King’s College, The London Learning Consortium and University of the Arts London. 

What’s great is that our apartments are situated within a development that means community, excellent facilities and first-class security. At outstanding living environments like Sugar Quay, One Tower Bridge, The Denizen and Triptych Bankside, life is relaxed and easy-going, creating that perfect balance between studying hard and really making the most of your leisure time. Meanwhile, you’ll be able to get into and around the city quickly and cheaply. 

We have a long and proud history of making international students feel welcome in this amazing city, so whatever your situation we’re able to help you integrate, settle and get the absolute most from your experience. Remember, people everywhere dream of being able to live here and for good reason. Because there really is nowhere in the world quite like London...   

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