Life in London
Explore your new local area and make sure you've know everything you need to for your life in London. You can also start the Life in London section of the student checklist.
What to explore
London is one of the creative capitals of the world. There's so much to do, see, and explore while you study here.
With over 170 museums, thousands of art galleries, street art, sculptures and architecture, it can be hard to decide what to explore. Let’s get you started...
Around your College
A great place to start is around your College site. Our Colleges and accommodation are based all across London, from up in Archway to down in Elephant and Castle. While you may only be a student of one of our Colleges, you're free to explore, study and just hang out in any of our sites.
Hallslife has some great tips to get to know your new home if you're living in one of our accommodations.
London arts scene
Whatever your creative style, it's sure to have a home somewhere in London. If you want to live, sleep and breathe art, you’ve come to the right place.
London has one of the world’s finest collections of art from all eras in the many museums and galleries; there are some of the finest and longest running shows in the West End; and of course, London has one of the most remarkable skylines with architecture spanning it’s rich history.
There are always new exhibitions and shows to check out, make sure you know what’s coming up. Or you can simply wonder around London and absorb the creativity, be sure you know where you can find the best street art.
Free things to do
You don’t have to spend a lot of money to experience what London has to offer. Most of the galleries and museums are free and there are many other spectacular attractions you can see without spending a thing.
Make sure to check out Visit London’s great list of 101 free things to do in London.
Getting around
London has one of the largest transport networks in the world. It can seem complex, but once you get used to it, you’ll find it easy to use. With multiple ways of getting around, the best thing to do is plan your journey by using an app like Citymapper or Google Maps.
Public transport
- Buses cover all zones of London, and you can get from one zone to another for a set fare. You can also travel on more than 1 bus for the same fare but you must complete your journey within an hour.
- The Tube is the quickest way to travel in and around London, with lines crossing all of the city - some of which are open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
- The London Overground and National Rail are easy and quick ways to get from central London to more residential areas not covered by the Tube. Similarly, the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) mainly travels to East London areas.
There are several buses and tube routes that operate 24 hours hours a day, but make sure you plan your journey and remember that it’s important to stay safe when you are out and about.
Get student prices
With a Student Oyster photo card, you will save 30% of the price of a Travelcard and Bus Pass, available to buy for daily, weekly and monthly use.
You can only buy a Student Oyster photo card through the TfL website after you’ve been given a student identification number at enrolment. You’ll need a digital photo of yourself, your course start and end dates, your email address and a bank card.
You might also be able to apply for one of a range of National Railcards which offer discounts on Tube, DLR, London Overground, TfL Rail and National Rail services. If you are 16-25 or a mature student, you can purchase the 16-25 Rail Card.
Cycling
Getting around London on a bike is cheap, fun, healthy and environmentally responsible. With many sites across UAL it can also be a quick and easy way to get about.
If you don’t have your own bicycle, you can hire one for as little as £2. Simply go to any docking station in London with your bank card and touch the screen to get started. There’s no need to book — hire a bike, ride it to your destination, then simply return it to the nearest docking station. Other popular bike rental companies are Lime Bike, Tier and Human Forest, all of which operate via a digital app.
TfL also offers free online and in-person Cycle Skills lessons, advice on how to protect your bike and has some great guides for when you’re ready to take to the road.
Living in London
Coming to UAL might be the first time you’ve lived in London, or even the UK. For most of you, university will be your first time living away from home. Here's some essentials to make your life in London as easy as possible.
Register with a doctor
It might not be at the top of your list, but making sure you register at your local GP surgery (general practitioner) is extremely important. Don't wait until you're feeling unwell to register. It can take a long time to do, which is not what you want to deal with when you're ill!
Check out our other health advice.
Open a bank account
If you're an international student, you’ll want to make sure you have a UK bank account. It's extremely important to pay for bills, go shopping and get paid yourself. Some recruiters like our internal agency, Arts Temps, require you to have a UK bank account to be able to pay you.
Check out this useful guidance on Hallslife on how to set up a UK bank account. You can also find great options for student bank accounts with Comparethemarket.
If you are a UK student you may also want to check out what new student bank accounts you have access to. Money Saving Expert has the latest advice on the best student bank accounts.
Council tax exemption
If you're living in student accommodation, you don't need to worry about council tax.
If you're not in student accommodation, remember that most students are exempt. If your programme is part time or shorter than 30 weeks, please contact student advice to seek guidance. To get your exemption, you’ll have to prove to your local council that you're a student.
Accommodation services
Whether you live in one of our student halls or in a privately rented property, our Accommodation Services team can provide you with advice and support to do with you accommodation.
- Phone: +44 (0)20 7514 6240
- Email: accommodation@arts.ac.uk