London Calling: A Guide to Studying in the Capital
London’s a great city to study in, with more to see and do than practically anywhere else in the UK. It’s even better for international students, as there’s a large community of students from around the world that you can be a part of. This guide takes a look at why London, how to get a visa, and how much studying in the capital will cost you.
Why London?
There are many reasons to study in the Big Smoke*; here are a few of my favourites:
- There’s a huge range of courses
London’s 45 universities offer a staggering 30,000 different courses, so it’d be almost impossible not to find a course that’s right for you.
- Employers will value your qualification
A degree from a London university is highly regarded by employers the world over. Did you know that London has more universities in the world’s top 200 than any other city on the planet?
- It’s a welcoming place for international students
London’s a truly global city with students from over 200 nations studying here, so you should feel right at home. It’s also likely that your university organises clubs and welcome events helping international students settle in and make friends.
- There’s always something exciting going on
Whether you’re into pubs*, clubs or gigs*, London has so much happening on any given night of the week that it can be hard to decide what to do. It’s also one of the world’s leading cultural cities with many world-class museums, art galleries and theatres for you to explore.
How do I get a student visa?
The most important thing is getting a student visa – otherwise you won’t be allowed in the country. It currently costs around £300 to apply from outside the UK and a bit more from within the UK. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Demonstrate that you have an appropriate level of English
You’ll have to show that you’re competent at English by getting a good score in the IELTS exam or gaining another widely-recognised English qualification such as CAE and CPE.
- Prove that you’ve been accepted by a London university
You’ll need to provide your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS), which is the letter you get once you’ve successfully been accepted on a course.
- Show that you can afford to pay for your studies
This is the tricky one. You’ll need to be able to show that you’ve got sufficient funds in your bank account to pay for your tuition fees and living costs for the time you’ll be in London. The bank account must have been open for some time and show evidence of activity (transactions, etc).
- Complete the necessary forms
You’ll need to fill out the required forms and provide documentation such as your passport and photos. The rules for getting a visa change often, so it’s a good idea to check the UKCISA website (www.ukcisa.org.uk) or your chosen university.
How much will it cost?
London’s not the cheapest city in the world to study in, but as tuition fees are less than in the US it’s still a popular choice with students who want an internationally-recognised qualification. It’s also easy to find a part-time job while you’re studying to help pay back some of your costs. Here’s a breakdown of the major expenses:
- Tuition fees
As of 2012, the average cost of tuition fees inLondonis £11,000 per year for international students, but courses can be found from £8,000. Students from the European Union or UK pay a bit less.
- Cost of living
The London living cost for students is estimated at £1,000 per month including accommodation (accommodation is £600 per month). I think in reality it’s possible to spend less than this if you’re good with your money and don’t go out* all the time.
- Average prices
The price of a pint in a pub is £4.00; a student cinema ticket £7.50; a cheap meal in a restaurant £10.00; and a short bus journey £1.50.
That brings us to the end of this short guide. If you do decide to go to university in London, I wish you the very best of luck!
Matt Lindley is an English teacher and blogger living in London. He currently blogs for HotelClub, a website where you can book hotels in London and other cities around the world.
*The Big Smoke – A nickname that can be applied to various large cities. Since the late 19th century, and the Great Smog of 1952, London has often been referred to as the Big Smoke.
*Pub – ‘public house’. A traditional building where you can buy and drink beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks.
*Gig – A live performance, normally by a musician, but can also refer to stand-up comedy or a theatrical show.
*to go out – ‘I’m going out tonight’ is a general term, meaning to go to a bar, nightclub or party.
About the Author: In addition to our regular posts, written by members of our team at English Trackers, we also encourage those who have something to say about language and are interested in penning a guest post for our blog to get in touch with us. This guest post is by Matt Lindley – English teacher, blogger and Londoner.
—
Give me more!
Learn how to talk like a Londoner, with our blog post on Cockney rhyming slang.
While you’re at it, may as well pick up some British slang about money.
Perhaps you’d like to improve your English accent? Don’t worry we’ve got you covered.