London Life

London is a vibrant and exciting city packed full of music venues, world famous restaurants, theatres, cinemas, pubs and clubs. 

The West End is one of the biggest theatre districts in the world and houses some of the finest theatre productions from around the globe. From large scale West End musicals to smaller art house productions and originally staged plays at Shakespeare’s Globe, living in London provides you with have access to an excitingly diverse, enriching theatre scene.  

Central students receive weekly ticket offers and we encourage you to make the most of the plethora of live performance available during your time in the capital.

From our London base, setting up industry connections for all students is at the heart of Central’s mission, whether that’s in the form of work-based placements in theatres and organisations, or through showcasing the talents of our actors to agents and casting directors. You couldn’t be better placed to connect with theatre agencies, production companies and trailblazing arts organisations than in London. 

London is comprised of 32 boroughs and many villages, each with its own characteristics and hidden treasures. The majority of our students choose to live near to the Central campus in the Finchley Road area. From here you can nip into the middle of town or explore any of London’s vibrant neighbourhoods, from Camden to Brixton to Chinatown to Dalston.  

Using London’s tube and rail networks, you’ll quickly become familiar with the best places to shop, eat and drink. Whether you want to see the latest art exhibition at the Tate Modern, ancient artefacts at the British Museum, a concert at the 02, a Premier League football match or dance until the early hours, you’ll be spoiled for choice. 

It may come as a surprise but much of London is green space, with over 8 million trees in its many beautiful parks.  

Within a 15-minute walk from Central are the iconic Primrose Hill and Regent’s Park, and the rugged Hampstead Heath, inspiration for former residents such as poet John Keats, composer Edward Elgar and artist John Constable. 

Central students receive weekly ticket offers for live performances and you can enjoy thousands of free events, lectures and exhibitions in London throughout the year. Be sure to sign up to Visit London for offers on travel, food, cinema and theatre tickets. On top of entertainment, there are plenty of cheap supermarkets to help your money go further, and if you ever find yourself struggling to manage your finances, our friendly Student Advice Service can help you to budget effectively.  

Students also download apps like UNiDAYS, Student Beans and others to make shopping more affordable. There is also discounted tube and rail travel as well as council tax exemptions, easing the costs on students living in the city. 

Don’t forget that while Central is a small specialist institution, we are part part of the University of London, meaning you will be able to access a membership to the Senate Library.    

You can also take advantage of the University of London’s high-quality facilities for most sports - it currently manages over 4,000 students regularly involved in intercollegiate sports leagues across London. 

Enjoy some of the finest museums and galleries in the world, from the National Gallery, Barbican and Tate Modern to the V&A. 

You can find details of Visit London’s top ten art exhibitions currently happening in London and information about galleries and museums in general on the Visit London website. Details of University of London College and Institute related exhibitions can be found on the respective College/Institute websites and we encourage you to see the work of your peers. 

Many cinemas offer student discounts or reduced rates for young people, including Picturehouse and Curzon. The British Film Institute (BFI) on the South Bank provides a wealth of film archives, independent and art house film titles - and make sure you visit London’s rooftop and secret cinemas for a quirkier interactive experience. 

The capital is also known for the vast assortment of food options available in its diverse collection of restaurants. 

From student loan friendly ‘all you can eat’ Soho buffets to amazing street food and pub grub, there is a wealth of culinary treats to enjoy. Not sure where to eat? You can follow Time Out’s Ultimate London Restaurants guide. 

Shopping 

London has some of best boutiques, shops and department stores in the world. 

Hop on the no.31 bus from Central and you’ll be in Camden Town, with its hustle and bustle of independent retailers, Camden Stables market and Camden Lock on the Regent’s Canal. Just 4 stops away on the Jubilee line are the world famous Oxford Street, Regent Street and Carnaby Street shopping areas – with a short walk to the bright lights of Picadilly Circus and Soho. Accessed via the Central line, explore the two gigantic Westfield Shopping Centres located in White City and Stratford. Or, if vintage is more your thing, take the tube to Canada Water and hop on the overground to Shoreditch and a world of decades-old fashion. 

You have the opportunity to visit some of the most iconic sporting arenas in the world whilst in London. These include Wembley Stadium, Wimbledon and Lord’s Cricket Ground as well as high profile Premier League football team stadia such as Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Details of upcoming sports events in London can be found on the Visit London website.  

All students are eligible for discounted membership at Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre located 2 minutes’ walk from the School, with facilities including gym, swimming pool, personal training, spa experience, climbing wall, sports hall, health suite, squash courts and football pitch. 

Alternatively, the University of London’s Energy base gym based in Malet Street is open to students and members of the public. Facilities include a 60-station gymnasium with cardio theatre, a 33 metre swimming pool and two studios. Up to 50 fitness classes are offered per week.