7 reasons to study in London

29 July 2021By Amelia. A, Staff writer at Unite Students
Image of the London shard and skyline

Where you choose to study has a big influence on your uni experience. We know there’s a lot of pressure that comes with making that decision, so we've put together this guide which includes the top reasons to study in cities around the UK, helping you make the best choice for your future. London is home to world-leading universities and a huge student population. So if you’re considering the capital for university, here are seven reasons to study in London.

London has everything

No matter what you want from your uni experience, London will have it. It’s a city with over 7,000 bars and pubs, cuisines from all over the world and every high street shop you can think of. It has something for every taste, as well as many places that consider your tighter student budget and, well, it’s London! You’ll be living in one of the most famous cities in the world, with fast-track connections to Manchester, Liverpool, Paris or even the Alps. If there is one thing we can guarantee about being a student in London, you’ll never be bored.

The universities

We know that choosing your city often means a lot more than choosing the right university, but the likes of Imperial College London, University College London and King’s College London provide an education that is recognised and valued worldwide. Studying in London can open the door to unique opportunities around the world, as well as the chance to study abroad during your degree. The range of courses spread across over 40 higher education institutions, allows you to study whatever your heart desires. There’s even a variation in entry requirements, in case you didn’t follow the traditional A-Level route in school.

Entertainment and culture

Being a student can mean you have a lot of free time. London is one city where you’ll never run out of things to do, and you can easily satisfy your need to explore and try new things. London is home to some of the most famous cultural attractions, including the British Museum, Tate Galleries, Notting Hill Carnival and more. If you’re after some weekend entertainment, London’s O2 Arena welcomes names like Liam Gallagher and Stormzy, as well as the annual Brit Awards. If you’re a fan of architecture, you’ll never get bored of your surroundings. The city is home to some of the most impressive and iconic buildings such as The Shard, St Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace.

The sport

If you like watching live games, London is home to some of the biggest sports clubs in the UK. You can see six Premier League football clubs play in London, including the famous North London derby between Arsenal and Spurs. If you prefer rugby, you're equally spoiled with the Harlequins, Saracens, London Irish and London Wasps playing in the capital. If you enjoy meeting friends at the pub and watching live sport, London could be the city for you. As well as having a range of sports degrees available, London universities also have reputable sports teams that compete at the top of the university leagues. If you’re keen to play sports during your time at uni, London isn’t short of opportunities.

The nightlife

Whether you prefer pubs, cocktail bars, night clubs or live music, you’ll find yourself at home in the London. Shoreditch is considered by some to be the hipster district, where you’ll find pubs and nightclubs offering a wide variety of music. Alternatively, you could head to Camden Town for a pub crawl you and your friends will never forget. Camden is home to the biggest pub in Europe, The World’s End, which has hosted the likes of Radiohead and is one of the most popular bars in the area.

Opportunities to travel

London is a well connected city, and the travel opportunities are another reason why you should consider studying in the capital. London has 5 airports and 300 train stations, with direct flights and trains to destinations all over the UK and Europe. Your time at university is also one of the best times to travel, as during the summer holidays you can have up to 3 months to plan a trip. It doesn’t matter if you’re planning a weekend in Paris or an interrailing trip around Eastern Europe, London puts you in a great position to book cheap and fast travel.

Networking and post grad jobs

Thanks to London’s size and diversity, you're guaranteed to meet a wide variety of professionals from all over the world during your time at uni. Meeting the right contacts can boost your future career prospects, so if you’re someone who has high ambitions after university, studying in London can put you in a great position if you use it to your advantage. Living in the capital might also make it easier to find a part-time job or internship during your studies, helping you build your experience before you graduate.

We hope our reasons to consider studying in London help you make the right decision for your future. If London is already on your radar and you’re looking for student accommodation, we have a range of rooms available located throughout the city.

Author photo of Amelia Adams
By Amelia. AStaff writer at Unite Students