Living in London
Get settled into your new home. Then explore your new local area and make sure you know everything you need to for your life in London.
Packing and moving to London
There's a lot to think about when deciding what to bring to university. You'll need to consider what you will need and how to get it to your accommodation.
Make sure you remember important things such as ID, chargers, clothes and cooking equipment. But also make sure you bring comforting items to remind you of home and your loved ones.
You can find some great checklists online that have all the things you might want to consider packing.
Bringing things from overseas
If you're coming to the UK from another country, most clothing and household items such as bedding and cooking utensils can be bought cheaply when you arrive in London. Pack lightly and don’t ship or mail too many personal belongings, as this may be more expensive than buying what you need when you arrive.
Note that UK appliances are fitted with a 3-pin plug. If you’re from another country that uses lower voltage than the UK average of 230v, you may also need a transformer — they are easy to find once you arrive.
There are strict governmental controls on what you can bring into the UK. Some things you can only bring limited quantities of things like alcohol and tobacco. Make sure to check the government’s website for details.
British climate
Although London’s climate is moderate, it’s often changeable and difficult to predict. We advise bringing clothing for a variety of conditions, including rain. The coldest months tend to be November to February and warm clothing is needed for these months of the year.
When to move into your accommodation
If you've booked a room in one of our UAL Halls this year, your moving in date will be on your tenancy agreement.
- Make sure you’ve completed your e-induction via the UAL Accommodation portal to confirm the date and time of your arrival
- Check out the Halls Life website for lots of useful information about your hall and to sign up for our Halls Life welcome events which begin on 6 September.
If you're renting privately, you will be informed by your landlord or estate agency when you can collect your keys and move in.
What if you don’t have accommodation sorted yet?
There are still a limited number of rooms available in our UAL halls for 2026/27. Log in to the UAL Accommodation portal for the most up-to date room availability.
If you wish to rent privately, you can contact our private accommodation advisor for advice and support.
Help with accommodation issues
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. This includes free legal advice and contract checks.
Student contents insurance
It’s a good idea to insure your belongings, especially if you have expensive electronic equipment such as laptops and phones.
All UAL-managed halls are covered by Howden for Students insurance (formerly Endsleigh). Before moving into halls, you will be asked to confirm your insurance cover, to ensure you understand what is and isn’t covered. You'll be able to download a copy of the policy for future reference.
If you're living in private accommodation, there are many low-cost insurance policies covering travel, possessions and health.
Travel and getting around London
London has one of the largest transport networks in the world. It may seem complex at first but once you get used to it, it's easy to use. With multiple ways of getting around the city, the best place to start is by planning your journey using an app like Citymapper or Google Maps.
Public transport
- Buses run across all areas of London. You can travel on multiple buses within 1 hours for the same fare.
- The London Underground (Tube) is the quickest way to travel in and around London, with lines running across London. Some lines operate 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays as part of the Night Tube service.
- The London Overground and National Rail provide quickn connections between central London and residential areas not served by the Tube. The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) mainly serves East London.
Several buses and tube routes operate late into the night or 24 hours a day. Be sure to plan your journey and stay safe when travelling at night.
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.
Find student travel options with Transport for London.
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're 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.
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.
There are always new exhibitions and shows to check out, make sure you know what’s coming up. Or you can simply wander 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.
British culture
Culturally, the UK is welcoming of all people and London is especially diverse and inclusive. Although you may find the pace of life fast in London, people are mostly friendly and willing to help if you ask. A few British customs:
- British people like to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ and appreciate when others do too.
- People in the UK ‘queue’ (or line up) when waiting for a service — it’s considered rude to ‘push in’ ahead of people who were there before you.
- It’s expected that people will arrive on time for meetings, appointments and classes. If you’re going to be late, it’s polite to tell the person/ people you are meeting beforehand if possible, and to apologise for being late when you arrive.
- Smoking in all public enclosed places, public buildings or on public transport is illegal in the UK. This also applies to e-cigarettes and vapes, so always look for a designated smoking area.
- If you are standing on an escalator, make sure you stand on the right-hand-side.
- If you are driving in the UK, remember that you drive on the left-hand-side of the road.
- It’s considered bad manners and, in some areas, a punishable offence to spit or to throw rubbish (litter) in the streets.
Food and drink
The diversity of cultures and their cuisines provides something for everyone in London, whether you are looking to match dietary needs such as kosher, halal, vegan and vegetarian or just want to try something new.
Eating and drinking out
Eating and drinking out might seem like a simple thing, but if you are unfamiliar with UK customs, you may be in for a few surprises! Here are some common things to know:
- If you order water, you may be served bottled water that you’ll have to pay for. Ask for tap water, which is free and safe to drink in the UK.
- VAT (a tax) is always included in the listed price of food.
- Many restaurants add a service charge to the final bill (look out for ‘service included’ on your receipt), so there is no need to tip extra unless you want to.
- In most pubs you must go to the bar to order your food and drinks.
- Pubs serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Before you go, check if you can get a student discount for cheap eats.
Buying alcohol and photo ID
‘Off licences’ are small shops which have a licence to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises. You might see signs in shops reading “Under 25?”. You don’t need to be 25 to buy alcohol in the UK, - the legal drinking age is 18. But if you look under 25 you will be asked for ID, which means ‘identification.’ You’ll need to show an official document with your photo and your date of birth on it, such as your passport or driving licence.
Most pubs, bars and clubs ask for ID from everyone wishing to enter, regardless of age. If you don’t have ID, you may be turned away. Only physical ID is accepted.
If you don't want to carry your documents you can apply for a CitizenCard to prove your age.
Religion and belief
London’s cultural diversity brings many different faiths and beliefs together. There are lots of different places of worship across the city. At many of our College sites you can find Quiet Spaces for all prayer and reflection.
Our Chaplaincy Service supports students and staff. The team offer pastoral care and spiritual guidance. They also run events and activities about faith, spirituality and the arts.
You can meet our 2 chaplains at any of the College sites. You can also contact them by phone or email. They welcome everyone, including people of all faiths, as well as those who are atheist or agnostic or not linked to any belief.