Moving to London

Essentials

• Housing

  Housing options vary. You can book limited university and purpose-built student housing in advance. Once you’re accepted on a programme, you will be able to look for accommodation through the portal on our intranet site.
  Find short and long-term accommodation rentals through The University of London Housing Services
  Office (ULHS). Cost of accommodation depends on your proximity to central London and the size of your accomodation. Zone 1 is the most expensive.

  You can also use the following property search websites:
  https://www.unitestudents.com/london
  https://www.universityrooms.com/en-GB/city/london/home
  https://www.rightmove.co.uk/
  https://www.sabbaticalhomes.com/
  http://zoopla.co.uk
  http://www.accommodationlondon.net/ 
  http://www.primelocation.com/uk-property-to-rent/
  https://www.spareroom.co.uk
  http://www.visitlondon.com

• Banking

  To open a bank account in the UK, you normally need to visit the bank in person. Opening an
  account can take between seven and 10 working days, so we advise you to have sufficient funds to cover the first few weeks of your stay in the UK. Many of the major high street banks have branches near our Regents Park campus.

• Healthcare

  The UK’s state-subsidised healthcare service is called the National Health Service (NHS). It is
  available to international students enrolled in a course lasting more than six months and their
  spouses and children under the age of 16 or 19 if in further education and living permanently with you. Consultations with a doctor and hospital treatment are free but you will usually have to pay for prescriptions and dental treatment.
  Register with your local doctor as soon as possible. You’ll need a letter from your programme office confirming you’re a full-time student and verifying your London address. To qualify for NHS dental treatment, you need to register with a doctor. Private dental treatment is widely available.
  Find out more about the NHS and registering for a doctor.

  Telephone 999 in the event of an emergency. As long as you are registered with the NHS, accident and emergency services are free.

• Schooling and childcare

  Primary and secondary education
  In the UK, children usually go to primary school between the ages of four and eleven. Secondary school is compulsory until 16. Many continue until 18 or 19.
  There are 3 types of schools:

  • State comprehensive schools (free)
  • Selective state grammar schools which usually require children to sit an entrance test (free)
  • Private fee-paying schools (costs depend on school and location).

  A child must live within a state school's catchment area to be eligible for admission. Private
  schools offer more flexibility. For further information and a list of schools, please see: https://www.gov.uk/school-performance-tables
  Schools are inspected regularly by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). If you want to see how a school is rated you can visit the Ofsted website for information.

  Childcare
  If you need to arrange childcare for children below school age or for morning or afternoon care, contact the Partners’ Club (see below) for a recommendation of a good nanny or nursery.
  Childcare in the UK falls into four main categories:

  • Childminders: people who look after children in their own homes and are registered with the Social Services Department
  • Nannies: qualified professionals who look after a child in your home. They can either live-in or live-out
  • Nursery schools: pre-schools that provide early learning and childcare for children between three and five years (some will take children from two)
  • Day Care: day nurseries provide care and learning activities for children from birth to five years old

  Find out more about UK childcare: https://www.childcare.co.uk/information/help-and-advice
  Search day nurseries in London: http://www.daynurseries.co.uk/day_nursery_search_results.cfm/searchcounty/london

• Transport

  A comprehensive underground train network called the Tube operates across most areas in
  London. The overground train network runs between cities and across wider London.
  The Oyster Card is an electronic ticket that works on the underground system and buses as well as some overground train routes. Read more about the Oyster Card.
  The tube network is divided into six travel zones from central London (Zone 1, where LBS is
  situated) to Heathrow Airport in Zone 6. Each line is colour coded, which makes finding your way around a lot easier. Visit TfL’s website for information on travel options in London and to plan a journey.
  Before you jump on a bus or tube, find out if you can walk – a fantastic way to see London and get your geographical bearings. Find out more about walking routes.