Study In London: Making Your Plans

There are a few very easy steps to follow to make sure your arrival and stay is a good one when you study in London. Leaving home to go to a new city can be a pretty scary prospect, but London is home to a number of international groups that can make you feel welcome right away. The information below should help you in getting ready to leave.

Immigration and Visa

Make sure that you understand the exact visa requirements before you start the process. The best places to start would be the UK Border and Immigration Agency (UKBA), UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) and British Council as they are the official sources and give you the most accurate information.

Before You Fly...

You should never attempt navigating London without a map so Google your college location even before you leave home. Internet blogs are a great source of information and worth reading as other people's views could be very useful. These days almost all schools and colleges have Facebook pages helping students get in touch with each other and giving tips on the London experience.

How to Get Around in London

The "Tube" or London underground is divided into 6 zones and you are charged depending on how far you travel in these zones. Zone 1 is "the City" and 6 are more towards the suburbs. Students get an amazing 30% discount on most public transport in London! Buy any duration ticket and you will qualify for this discount providing you have your student card. The TFL (Transport for London) administers this system and your college should point you to them.

Young Persons Railcard

If you are aged 16-25 then you can really benefit from getting a railcard as you will be able to get around the UK at discounted prices. Most railway stations sell the 12 month card at a small cost. Look at 16-25railcard.co.uk for more info.

Your New Home

The variation of accommodation in London on offer will satisfy every need you may ever have with plenty to spare. There are so may accommodation options in London you will be able to find pretty much anything you fancy and your college should be able to help with this.

Student Health and Safety

Full time students that are on a 12 month or longer course will have access to the NHS (National Health Services) network from the beginning of their stay. Almost all medical care is free while you study in London although dental treatments will have to be paid for. You should register with the NHS and your college will help with this process.

London and Work

While you study in London you will be able to work under certain conditions. You must check the latest working conditions before you start working as this is tightly regulated by the UKBA. International companies operating from London often seek student employees making job opportunities plentiful in London. The internet is once again a great source of information and a good place to start searching. There are many newspapers, some of them free like the Standard and Metro, advertise students jobs and this is also a good source to find work.

Banking for Students

Some banks in your home country may be able to help you set up an account prior to you getting to London. London banks generally have accounts available for students so take your passport with and find a bank that works for you. Student accounts come with different options and there are so many available you should take your time to select the best one for you.

Contacting Family at Home

Having a mobile phone in London is a must. You should be able to find any mobile package you want as there are almost too many options to choose from in London. Look at the pay-as-you-go (or pre-paid) packages with cheap intentional call rates that suits you and is available all over London. Take a bit of time in choosing the best call plan for you as there are a number of international packages on offer.

Final Move

Make sure you have chosen the right school for you. This process is made easier by the large volume of information available to help you make this decision. Get as much information as possible and take your time making the decision. Many schools run summer sessions in the European summer and this is a really good way of checking out a few schools. Once you have chosen a school you are ready to study in London!

If you want to study in London then The London School of Business and Management could be the perfect private college for you. Apply to study in London now! Visit http://www.lsbm.org.uk to find out more.