Studying in London
London is the UK’s largest city and one of the world’s leading student destinations, home to a dense cluster of globally ranked universities and unmatched access to industry, culture, and internships. It is also the most expensive place to live in the UK.
Universities and major institutes
- Imperial College London
- University College London (UCL)
- King’s College London
- London School of Economics (LSE)
- Queen Mary University of London
- City, University of London
- SOAS, Brunel, Greenwich, Westminster, and many more
Cost of living
London has its own higher visa maintenance requirement and the UK’s steepest rents. Expect a room in a shared flat from roughly £900–£1,300 per month, with travel costs offset by student Oyster/railcard discounts.
Neighbourhoods for students
- Bloomsbury — UCL, SOAS, and Birkbeck on the doorstep.
- Mile End / Whitechapel — Queen Mary’s catchment in East London, cheaper and lively.
- Camden / Kentish Town — central, well-connected, popular with students.
- New Cross / Lewisham — Goldsmiths catchment in the southeast, more affordable.
- Stratford — modern, well-connected, growing student population.
Institutions in London
Imperial College London
A world-leading London institution focused exclusively on science, engineering, medicine and business.
King's College London
A Russell Group university in central London with particular strength in law, medicine and humanities.
London School of Economics and Political Science
A specialist social science institution in central London renowned for economics, law and politics.
University College London
A large, multidisciplinary Russell Group university in central London known for its research breadth.
Explore more: universities in United Kingdom, cost of living, and student visas.