Prestigious universities
One of my considerations when choosing a university for my Master’s were the prestige associated with the universities. King’s is one of the top 37 universities in the world according to QS World University Rankings and part of the Russell Group. Not only are there professors who are experts in their field, but by being a part of University of London (UoL), students can also access the library in other London Universities after applying for a membership card. The British Library has the world’s largest collection of books, so is a perfect place for research.
London is filled with opportunities. While a lot of multinational corporations have their offices in London, there are also a lot of start-ups thriving in the city. Regardless of whether you are looking for a part time job to sustain yourself financially or looking for internships for work experience or graduate schemes, there are many options in London.
Busy City Life
Coming from Hong Kong, I am used to the hustle and bustle of metropolitan cities and I love it! There is always something happening in London and you’ll never get bored. If you’re looking for a fun night out to destress from university work or hoping to expand your social circle by meeting people from different backgrounds, London has lots of places to hang out, have fun and meet people. Travelling around London is also super convenient as you have the choice of underground, buses, trains (and even boats!)
I also love the balance of city and nature in London. Whilst there is the busy Soho district, there is also Hyde Park or Regent’s Park where you can escape into nature for a while for a breath of fresh air. You can also easily escape to the outskirts if you are a nature lover and go for a hike.
Lively Cultural Scenes
If you are an arts and culture enthusiast like me, you will love all the shows and events that happen throughout the year. Not only is there the West End with all the fantastic and glamorous musicals, such as Hamilton, The Lion King and Phantom of the Opera, but there are also many museums and exhibitions. If you are into history, there is the famous British Museum; if you are into geography and dinosaurs, there is the Natural History Museum; if you are into arts, you can visit the Tate Modern, Tate Britain, The National Gallery and many more, which are all free! Also, you can always discover various paid and free art exhibitions and festivals that are on throughout the year. As a student, you can sign up for a Student Art Pass which gives you discounts for certain exhibitions!
For my Master’s programme, being in the centre of the art scene and accessing connections with arts organisations is essential, and London provides everything from enjoying art to work opportunities in many different sectors. I am loving every minute in London and if you also looking for a memorable experience and a place of opportunities to pursue your studies, I would definitely recommend London!