 |
|
 |
London
is a diverse, multicultural city with all the attractions
of a major capital. It has many fine museums and
galleries and rivals any city in the world for theatre
and concerts.
London has style and sets the trend – in music,
in fashion, in food. It is an exciting place to live
and safer than many capital cities. |
|
Student
Life
|
 |
Your
free International Student Identity Card is a passport
to countless discounts on entry to cultural and sporting
events, entertainments, eating out and other services.
London’s attractions are easily accessible
to students and you can enjoy life here without having
to spend a lot of money. Applications and further
information
are available from www.isiccard.com |
|
Getting
Around
|
|
You
will find an A-Z of London street map useful, available
from most bookshops or newsagents. Driving in London
is difficult, with frequent traffic jams and few
parking spaces. The best way to get around is by
public transport. Rail services and underground services
are fast and frequent – and the maps and travel
directions are clear. Buses are good for short journeys.
|
|
| Underground
and bus route maps are available from London Transport
(LT) information centers at Euston, Heathrow, Kings
Cross, Oxford Circus, Piccadilly Circus, St James 's
Park and Victoria underground stations. |
|
| UK
students qualify for transport discounts – you
will receive an application as a part of your ‘Welcome
Pack’. |
|
Theatre,
Concerts and Exhibitions
|
|
London
has been called the cultural capital of the world
and supports an impressive variety of artistic activities.
|
|
Most
national newspapers have good listings guides detailing
events and activities, as does the Evening Standard.
Weekly magazines like Time Out are also good sources
of information.
|
|
| The
Society of West End Theatres (SWET) operates a half-price
ticket booth at Leicester Square which sells tickets
for same-day performances at reduced rates. It opens
at midday for matinees and 2.30pm for evening performances. |
|
Eating
Out
|
|
| You
can eat out in style in London – almost any style
you please. Prices vary enormously. By law, all restaurants
must display a menu outside the door giving prices
and whether service charges are included. Where service
is not included, it is customary to leave a tip of
10 to 15% of the bill. |
|
Climate
|
|
| London’s
average monthly rainfall remains much the same throughout
the year. July and August are the warmest months. Rain is less likely in spring, but be prepared for a shower at any time of the year. The
temperature varies from 22°C in summer to 5°C
in winter. Occasionally the temperature may drop below
freezing in winter months. |
|
Expenses
|
|
|
Average costs vary according to where you
live in or around London. Below is a rough guide to basic
living costs (accommodation, lighting, heating, food,
daily travel, clothing, leisure, books and incidental
expenses) for a single student based on The British
Council’s recommendations:
Average annual cost of living for a typical student
2005/2006 in London (UK)
• Academic year
- £7,300
• Monthly - £811 |
|
Sightseeing
|
|
| There
are hundreds of places to visit in London! The great
selection of museums (British Museum, National Gallery,
Tower of London, Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum,
Natural History Museum, Science Museum), churches (St
Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Westminster
Cathedral), parks and gardens (Kensington Gardens,
Holland Park, Kew Gardens, Richmond Park, Greenwich
Park) will keep you busy for many weeks. |
