Everything you need to know | Living, Studying, and working in London.

London, the most cosmopolitan city, has always been one of the favorite destinations to learn and grow professionally. A city full of opportunities, with a unique personality and a mix of cultures that translates into an atmosphere that will not leave you indifferent. Undoubtedly, it is one of the most visited places in the world, and no wonder! This city is full of history where people of 100 different nationalities live together.

However, not everything is perfect. One of the most challenging aspects of living in London is finding housing, primarily because of its scarcity and high price. Renting an apartment in London to live in can be quite a challenge. The demand for rentals keeps increasing while the available apartments keep decreasing.

Living in London is not cheap, although, as always, everything will depend on the proximity to the center of your accommodation and if you are willing to share an apartment or house in London. Still, due to the very high prices, this is not an option but an obligation in many cases.

Renting a small apartment not too far from the center is possible from about £2,000, although in the case of larger apartments, the price can exceed £3,000. If you prefer to share an apartment, the price will be around £800, which can be a significant percentage of your income when moving to London.

University Life in London

The UK welcomes more than 400,000 international students each year. Its universities occupy the highest global rankings for their reputation and proven excellence.

In addition, one of the things that make studying in London so unique compared to other student cities is the chance to meet like-minded people from all walks of life and gain access to a network, which can boost your career later.

During your study year at university, the friends you make are likely to remain friends for life, as together you can share the ups and downs of living in London as independent and responsible adults.

One point to keep in mind is that planning a study in the UK can be a daunting task, and it takes proper planning, and it might take a few months. While all British Universities have start dates in September every year, you can find a few Universities starting courses in January.

How to Prepare Yourself to Study at a University in London?

To get into universities in London, you will need to have specific requirements and abilities to be accepted. You can choose between short and long programs, summer schools, or an academic year of university preparation that guarantees admission to various London universities.

Getting into a London university is a process that has its complexities. There are several stages that you must fulfill, among which are to present an English proficiency test, to write letters of recommendation, and to write a motivation letter reflecting your aspirations to study in the institution and career of your choice; in addition to other requirements that will depend directly on the university.

Public Transport

Despite the size of London, getting around the city and even from central London to Greater London couldn't be easier. With the train, bus, and subway services, you can get to point A with no problem.

All public transport runs Monday to Sunday; there are plenty of night buses, generally running 24 hours a day, and tube services that run until midnight, as well as a night tube service that runs on Fridays and Saturdays on the Victoria and Jubilee lines and most of the Central, Northern, and Piccadilly lines.

Another possibility we must move around the city is cabs. We will find two types, the Black Cabs, and the Minicabs. The first is the classic black cabs that we have seen hundreds of times in the movies. They have a minimum cost of £2.20, adding 20 pennies every 219 meters. As for the latter, they do not have a taximeter, and the price will have to be negotiated with the cab driver himself.

If you depend on a student budget in the UK, it is advisable to set aside around £10 to 15 pounds a week for transportation; as a student, you are entitled to a Student Travel Card that will give you terrific discounts on trains throughout the UK so that you can enjoy it in its entirety.

Not everyone knows that the Travel Card you use on trains can be linked to your Oyster Card. The Oyster Card is the card used on public transport in London, and when you link it to your Travel Card you will have very good discounts in London as well, we highly recommend it, check with your university the documents you will need to process it.

Finding Part-time Work in London

Working while studying in the UK is one of the most frequently asked questions by international students, and the answer is yes, the student visa allows you to work if you wish.

Due to the limited working hours on the student visa, the available jobs are usually part-time and/or casual. All universities have a job board in their Student's Union to post job openings for interested students.

These positions can be within the university itself or with partner companies. One of the recommendations is to always rely on the same university to ensure that the employer is trustworthy and that there are no bad experiences with students.

As for the variety of jobs you can access as a student; you can work in department stores, cafeterias, helping professors in laboratories, translating documents, as student ambassadors, entertainers, and similar activities. It will depend on your skills and willingness to venture out and learn.

Graduating from a British University

Studying in a country other than your own has many positives, and in most cases, all students manage to enjoy the experience and make the most of this type of opportunity.

The British university experience offers you a unique opportunity for personal development while enjoying exceptional academic and personal support. University degrees last for three years, and there is a high degree of satisfaction from most students who have completed their undergraduate degrees in the UK.

UK institutions offer academic courses that will provide you with skills that will be useful in your job search. It is even possible to choose specialized modules to customize your