Life in London
Image of the London Eye and the Houses of Parliament
Westminster, a leading London university
Whether you live in
central London overlooking Madame Tussaud's, or in the more
peaceful suburbs of Harrow, you can still get to the West End of London in a
few minutes. It's cosmopolitan, it's exciting and it's one of the
safest capital cities in the world.
Getting around London
is one of the first things to sort out. Despite the size of
the city, travel is usually straightforward with underground, bus
(including night buses) and train networks. The National Union of
Students (NUS) has obtained a student discount for London Transport
travel cards. London is well connected by
rail and road to the rest of the UK
and Europe, and to the rest of the
world with four major airports nearby.
It's quite possible to
develop a varied and interesting lifestyle in
London on a budget. With substantial student
discounts and so many of the city's most appealing attractions
being free, you'll always find ways to make your money go further.
Living in London will increase the value
of your studies.
Diversity and history of London
Lunchtime in the City of London
The diversity
of London is an educational experience in itself. It is a city
of separate areas, often famous in their own right and with
distinctive characteristics. Londoners are as varied as the city
itself, with communities from most countries of the world,
giving an overall impression of a multicultural and friendly
environment. The areas of Brixton, Camden, the East End, Hackney,
Hoxton and Stoke Newington are vibrant, young areas with lively bar
scenes; if you need to relax, head for the calmer atmospheres of
Battersea, Dulwich, Greenwich, Hampstead, Highgate or the riverside.
Opportunities for development
London's south bank of the River Thames
Our campuses are in easy reach of the Houses of Parliament,
the BBC, the Stock Exchange and the British Library and British Museum. Situated at the
centre of a global economic hub, the University is ideally located
to network with leading businesses and employers based here: this
means we can offer the best placements and work opportunities for
our students. Your studies will be enhanced by the large number of
important collections within easy reach: the University of
London Library,
the British Library, as well as the archives of many institutions
and professional bodies are all close at hand.
London is the
focal point of British politics, finance and the media. If you feel
like staying on, graduate skills are in demand. Managers,
professionals and technical staff account for 48% of the workforce
in London,
compared to 38% across the rest of the UK.
Docklands.
You won't be studying all the
time. London offers a stimulating diversity of culture and
entertainment guides like Time Out keep you informed of events and
activities. London is the place where things tend to happen first in
art, music and fashion. Here's just a small selection of
ideas:
Galleries
Tate Modern hosts major exhibitions of
contemporary art (installation and situational work
is currently in vogue), as do the Saatchi and Whitechapel
galleries. There are also free-
entry private galleries (especially on Cork Street), and the
newly-expanded
Photographers' Gallery.
Music
All the big pop, rock and dance outfits
play here, but there are many more experimental, classical, world
and jazz scenes to be explored. You can't fail to be impressed by
the musical vibrancy of contemporary London. You can get into lots
of events at a reduced price, or even for free.
Theatre
Innovative Almeida in Islington, physical at
Battersea Arts Centre, modern dance with the Rambert company. With
styles ranging from the historical Globe to the brash West End
musicals, there's something for everyone.
Film
National Film Theatre, Riverside
Studios in Hammersmith and a host of small cinemas offer a huge
range of independent UK and world cinema. And remember that you'll
always be the first in the country to get to see the latest
releases.
Walking
It's good exercise and free; it's also
the best way to see and get to know the city. London is a city of
parks (39% of the city is green space), ranging from Hyde, Regent's
and Green Parks, to the wilder Hampstead Heath and the unusual
marshlands in Hackney. A walk along the river is a great way to
experience the history and culture of each area, while getting away
from the bustle of the city.
Clubs
Intent on making the most of London's
serious nightlife? Get to the upfront clubs of Brixton (for Mass
and The Fridge) and Hoxton (for Herbal and bars like Living Room
and Canteloupe); also check out www.clubconnexion.com for more
information.
Fashion and shopping
As well as being home to designers
Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood, London is famous for its
markets: Petticoat Lane for cheap street fashion, Columbia Road for
flowers, Portobello Road for secondhand clothes, Dalston and
Brixton for exotic fruit and vegetables.
Sport
London is a great place to watch the
game of your choice, be it football (with Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham
and Spurs to name but four London teams), rugby (at Twickenham) or
cricket (at the Lords and Oval grounds), among many others.
Eating
Most world cuisines are represented here at
prices to suit everyone. You can eat out for as little as £3.
With fashions in food and the make-up of London's population constantly evolving, there'll always be
something new to try.
University of Westminster students don't just enjoy
the culture of London they help to make
it. Watch any of the various music channels, and the chances are
that you'll hear a song or soundtrack written by our graduates.
Pick up the early editions of The Guardian to see our graduates'
copy. Look out for designs by our fashion students. The list is
endless.