Living in London as a student!

International students can explore and enjoy a vibrant and diverse community in London! London, as one of the most appealing cities in the United Kingdom, provides exciting adventures such as beautiful world heritage sites, pubs, museums, and more. We will discuss why London is the best student city, the estimated cost of living in London as a student, part-time jobs, and much more in this article!

1. Living in London

Anyone would advise you to look for housing near your university in London. It's simpler said than done. London is a huge city divided into zones (1,2,3) and four areas based on direction. Finding an affordable place to live that is also close to your university requires extensive research and knowledge of London. Let's take a look at some of the student-friendly neighborhoods!

a) North London

North London is abode to some of the best universities in the world, including Imperial College and University College London. Camden and Finsbury Park are two popular student neighborhoods.

Camden is a fabulous neighborhood with vibrant colors, a diverse culture, and a wide range of food options. It's also a fantastic retail neighborhood, close to the northern line, which takes you to the city center's West End in about 10 minutes. Finsbury Park also has a lovely park where you can unwind on those rare sunny days when you're a student in London. It houses major high-street retailers as well as independent sellers. Finsbury Park is on the Victoria Line, London's fastest tube line, so your commute will be a breeze!

b) East London

Mile End, located just off Liverpool Street and Aldgate, has everything a student needs, from groceries to local cafes, and is East London's top student neighborhood. It is on the Central Line, and it takes only 10 minutes to get to central London. East London is also home to some of the best universities in the country, including Queen Mary University of London. This is a fantastic neighborhood because the rent is low, there are many students here, and you can get to other trendy areas like Liverpool and Old Street in a matter of stops.

c) West London

Shepherd's Bush is a popular neighborhood for students and young professionals. The Westfield Shopping Centre, Europe's largest shopping mall, is one reason. There are also several supermarkets and excellent transportation options. If you enjoy haggling and finding the best deal, then this is the place for you! International students on a budget can find good discounts and sale items.

d) South London

Brixton is a bustling town in south London that is one of the city's most popular rental and nightlife zones. If the low costs aren't enough to entice you, the area also has a wide range of retailers, taverns, and restaurants. Tooting, an up-and-coming town on the North Line, is another South London neighborhood. Rent is quite inexpensive in this area, making it a competitive location; but, if you start looking early enough, you will discover the ideal place to live.

2. Student budget in London

The budget a student needs in London largely depends on his/her lifestyle, choices and circumstances. We talk about each of the kind of expense a student incurs briefly with a rough estimate below.

Accommodation cost:

Accommodation could either be provided by your universities or you may have to look for alternatives near the university. An average student spends around ￡840 per month on his/her accommodations. Bills such a council tax, electricity, Wi-Fi, laundry and gas may or may not be included in the bills. This needs to be check with the landlord and mentioned in the contract.

For a private student accommodation,

Standard weekly rate : ￡132 – ￡250 per week.

En-suite room: ￡170 – ￡300 per week.

Studio unit: ￡280 – ￡500 per week.

Another option is to obtain a rented house and share it with your friends. The budget for this can be anywhere around ￡600 – ￡1200 per month.

Food cost:

Buying and preparing your own food instead of eating out every day will save you a lot of money. If you plan to dine out on some days, your food budget would be ￡250 per month. Students often spend more money on groceries than anything else. These food rates cover the vast majority of a student's requirements while in London. The real prices may be more or lower depending on how frequently you dine out, where you eat, and what you eat.

Travel cost:

As a student, you can obtain an 18+ Student Oyster Card, which gives you a 30% discount on adult bus and tram costs. You may also save money on a Railcard, which gives you access to the London tube, the London underground, and other rail services. Typically, the monthly travel expense will be between ￡114 and ￡120. This is a fantastic way to save money while exploring London's charming architecture and culture!

3. Part-time opportunities for students

International students in the UK can apply for part-time jobs and work up to 20 hours per week. While working part-time is a wonderful method for international students to earn additional money and keep themselves busy in their spare time, there are a few things to consider, such as the many sorts of part-time employment accessible to you, pay ranges, and how to apply for part-time jobs in the UK. Some of the policies and regulations are as follows:

• You can work for a maximum of 20 hours per week.
• You should have a valid student-visa valid for full time degree level studies.
• You are not permitted to be self-employed, run a business, work as a professional athlete or entertainer, work as a doctor or dentist and take a full-time permanent job.

Part-time jobs for students include waiters/waitresses in restaurants, deliveries, library assistants, receptionists, cashiers, and retail store helpers, among others. Each salary range is different, and students are paid hourly.

Living in London as a student provides several opportunities; your student life will be as vibrant and exciting as the city itself. If you are considering studying in London, please contact us to learn more about our experiences and to request any support you may require. The EIS Project is here to assist other London students!