Fun Facts about Living in London as a Student

London should be at the top of your list if you are considering where to begin your study abroad trip. Ranked as the best student city by QS 2021, London offers a vibrant and diverse community for international students to explore and enjoy! As one of the most attractive cities to study in the UK, London offers exciting adventures like beautiful world heritage sites, pubs, museums and more. Living in London as a student means you can interact with people from all walks of life and build great global networks. In this blog, we will discuss why London is the best student city, the estimated cost of living In London as a student, part-time jobs and more!

Read: What are the Requirements to Study in the United Kingdom?

Estimated Tuition Cost for International Students

According to some estimates, studying in the United Kingdom might cost anywhere from INR 19 lakhs to INR 39 lakhs*, depending on the degree and location. If you’re an Indian student interested in studying in London, you’ll need to establish that you can pay at least Rs.1 lac each month to receive a Tier 4 Visa.

Living in London as a Student: Where to Live in London 

We have all fantasised about living in London as a student, its significance in popular culture, the starry London nights and bustling nightlife may seem like a calling to some students! Although London is ranked first amongst the top ten greatest student cities, it is a vast metropolis, deciding where to stay can be complicated. So let’s try to look for a stylish neighbourhood that won’t break the bank.

Related Read: Study in the United Kingdom without IELTS!

North London

Camden or Finsbury Park are popular choices for students attending a university in north London. North London is home to some of the best universities like  Imperial College London and University College London. Areas like Camden are magnificent with their brilliant colors, cultural diversity, and wonderful food options. It’s also a terrific retail neighborhood, and it’s close to the northern line, which takes you to the West End of the city center in about 10 minutes. Rent can be costly, but if you start looking early enough, you can find good offers.

Finsbury Park also has a great park where you can relax on those rare sunny days living in London as a student. It is home to main high street retailers and independent sellers. Finsbury Park is on the Victoria Line, which is commonly regarded as London’s fastest tube line, so your commute will be a snap!

East London

Mile End is the place to be if you’re a student looking to live or study in east London. Mile End, located right off Liverpool Street and Aldgate, contains everything a student needs, from groceries to local cafes. You can be in central London in 10 minutes because it is on the Central Line. This neighborhood will have some of the cheapest housing alternatives. East London is also home to top UK universities like Queen Mary University of London. This is a great neighborhood because the rent is low, there are a lot of students here, and you can get to other trendy areas like Liverpool and Old Street in just a few stops.

Explore: Top 10 Reasons to Study at the Queen Mary University of London!

South London

Brixton is a vibrant town in south London that is one of the city’s most popular neighborhoods for renting and nightlife. If the low prices aren’t enough to attract you, the region also includes a variety of stores, pubs, and restaurants. Tooting, an up-and-coming town on the North Line, is another district in South London. Rent is relatively low here, making it a competitive location, but if you start looking early enough, you will find the right place to live.

West London

Shepherd’s Bush is very popular with students. One reason is the Westfield Shopping Centre, Europe’s largest shopping mall. There are also a number of supermarkets and good transportation options. If you are someone who’s into haggling and finding the right price, then this is the place for you! International students on a budget can find good discounts and sale items. This is a popular residential neighborhood for students and young professionals.

Living in London as a Student: Cost of Living

Depending on your specific circumstances and lifestyle, your living expenses at university can vary significantly. The table below gives an estimate of how much it would cost to live comfortably in London. We’ve considered expenses like accommodation, meals, and transportation. Tuition and study materials are not included in this budget, but you should account for them on your own.

Accommodation 

The most expensive monthly expense for students in London is their accommodation, which costs an average of £840 per month. When looking for housing, there are three primary alternatives to consider: university halls of residence, private student housing, and rental housing.

College-run Accommodation: 

Accommodation	Cost
Standard Room	£135 – £210 (Approx. INR 12,000 – INR 18,000) per week
En-Suite Room	£130 – £260 (Approx. INR 11,000 – INR 23,000) per week
Studio Unit	£140 – £340 (Approx. INR 12,000 – INR 30,000) per week

Private Student Accommodation

Accommodation	Cost
Standard Weekly Rate	£160 – £250 (Approx. INR 13,000 – INR 22,000)
En-Suite Room	£160 – £280 (Approx. INR 12,000 – INR 25,000) per week
Studio Unit	£280 – £500 (Approx. INR 25,000 – INR 44,000) per week

Rented Accommodation

London is a huge city with some popular areas where the cost of living can be slightly higher than in other regions. As a student, it is best to approach your counsellor or university to find the right type of accommodation and take full advantage of your study abroad experience. According to Study London, a small studio flat in London can cost anywhere from £120 to over £1,000 per week. (Approx. INR 10,000 – INR 88,000).

Living in London as a Student: Food Cost

You will save a lot of money as a student in London if you buy and prepare your own food. Although London has a variety of takeaways, cafes, and restaurants, eating out less frequently and maintaining it as a once-a-month “treat” will save you money in the long term! Students typically spend more money on groceries than on anything else, £259 each month (Approx. INR 23,000) would be the food cost if you plan to eat outside on some days. These food prices cover the majority of a student’s needs while in London. Depending on how often you eat out, where you eat, and what you eat, the actual prices may be greater or cheaper.

Living in London as a Student: Traveling Cost

You can apply for an 18+ Student Oyster Card, which will save you 30% on adult bus and tram fares. You can also get a discount on a Railcard, which provides you access to London’s tube, London underground, and other rail services. Usually, the traveling cost per month will be around £114 per month. (Approx. INR 10,000). This is a great way to save money and travel around London to explore its quaint architecture and culture!

Living in London as a Student: Part-time Job opportunities for Students

To help pay for their studies, international students in the UK might apply for a part-time job. While a part-time job is an excellent way for overseas students to make extra money and keep themselves occupied in their spare time, there are a few things to keep in mind, for instance, the different types of part-time jobs available to you, pay scales, and how to apply for part-time jobs in the UK. Here are the policies and regulations you must follow in order to get a part-time job as a student living in London:

Policy and Regulations

The following are the rules for international students working part-time:

• Students engaged in full-time university studies are permitted to work for a maximum of 20 hours a week.
• The student must have a valid student visa that is valid for full-time degree-level studies.
• Students participating in programmes other than degree programmes are permitted to work for a maximum of 10 hours per week.
• Part-time students are not permitted to work in the United Kingdom.
• Any student working part-time in the UK is not permitted to be self-employed, run a business, work as a professional athlete or entertainer, take a permanent full-time job, or work as a doctor or dentist.

Job-Profiles for International Students

Students must apply for part-time work in accordance with the college’s rules and regulations. In addition, numerous part-time employment required people to work in different shifts throughout the day. Students can choose their job roles based on their availability. Certain positions are also available on weekends. A part-time job’s pay is usually based on the number of hours worked.

Below we give some examples of the jobs available for International Students in London:

Job Roles	Salary (Per Hour)
Helper at Retailer Shop	8 to 9 Pound (Approx. INR 800-900)
Cashier	8 to 10 Pound (Approx. INR 800-1,000)
Delivery Boy	4 to 6 Pound per delivery (Approx. INR 400-600)
Clerk	12 to 14 Pound (Approx. INR 1,200-1,400)
Library Assistant	10 to 12 Pound (Approx. INR 1,000-1,200)
Waiters/waitresses	18 to 10 Pounds (Approx. INR 1,800-1,000)

Check out: Cost of Studying in the United Kingdom for Indian Students!

Living in London as a student is full of opportunities, your student life will be as dynamic and wonderful as the city itself. London is a melting pot of diversity, as a multinational city, it offers a variety of entertainment options for students. If you are planning to study in London then connect with our experts on Leverage Edu and book a slot to know more about the courses, their fees, and the eligibility criteria. Follow us on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram.