Friday 9 November 2012

A Student’s Guide to Live in London

We are always protective of children, so when they leave home parents feel certain anguish, especially if they are going to university in another city to take their studies further. One problem that no one thinks about is finding the right accommodation for students. It has to be clean, conveniently located near shopping facilities and supplies, and above all it must be within walking distance to the university or place of study. It also helps if some night life is quite local as well!

Recent years show a steady increase in the number of international students looking to obtain higher education in the UK, focusing mainly on studying in London, as well as a raise in the number of foreign nationals living in London as part of their employment training and management requirements. This guide will focus on useful information and tips for both the international students in the UK and the large community of expatriates in London.

Expenses & living costs in the UK:
In most cities in the UK the living costs are not high. However, London is one of the more expensive cities in Europe and the average living costs vary significantly between its different areas. A major factor in preparing a budget for the required costs of living in the UK will be the accommodation factor. Since buying rental property in London gets very pricey at the central of the city (zones 1 and 2), many foreign nationals who live in London choose the more outer areas for their residence.
For international students in the UK, the UKBA (the UK Border Agency) requires a budget of at least£800 per month for living in the outer London areas. These amounts are required for covering only the living costs and do not cover the Tuition fees in the UK which Vary between £4,000 and £22,000 annually (average of £11,000 per year). There are plenty of availabilities of London flats for students according to cost and requirements.
Although an expensive city, London provides a cost-effective studying experience as many part time jobs for students are available in the city. In addition, many attractions, events, lectures and academic seminars are held for free or given at very low prices for the tens of thousands of international students and professionals residing in the city.