Do I need to go on a gap year to survive London study?

Check what help the university can offer.

I'm not sure but you're going to be having massive tuition fees anyway. Do you think it would be possible to go over your standard limit if you really need to? I don't know the exact details but it is all going to be paid off eventually anyway won't it? Would it matter? Research about this!

Hi! I'm a second year English Language & Literature student at King's. Congrats on the offer

I did not take a gap year. I would say that maybe 30% of people on my course did take one, and quite a few more are over 20, but the majority of people doing English and all other courses are fresh from school. If you don't want to take a gap year, don't do it! Unless you have something you really really want to do with the time, you'll probably regret not going to uni straight away.

Now let's talk money. Yes, London is expensive. But the grant and loan are generous, and King's itself hands out large grants to every student who gets grant from the government. I'm on full grant, and King's gave me a bursary of £1000 in my first year, which increased to £1500 this year. Rent for the halls varies - Hampstead is the cheapest, and places like Moonraker Point (where I ended up) are much more, about £7500 for the year.

If you get an accommodation offer from somewhere cheap (cheap for London, that is), you'll honestly be fine when it comes to other living costs. If you're offered somewhere expensive, you may need your parents to help you until you can pay them back, or get a part-time job, but it shouldn't come down to taking a gap year.

In a typical week living in London now, in my second year, with slightly more experience than last year, I spend:
- about £20 on transport, that is I top my Oyster up £20 a week and that covers my travel to and from campus and anywhere else
- about £30 on food
- £150 on rent
- £10 on electricity, gas and water bills
- £10 on various other small things like books, paper, the occasional shopping trip - they average out to a tenner a week.

If that seems like a lot, don't freak out. It definitely is a lot, but you know what makes me not worry about it? The fact that I'm in London, this incredible city, making friends and connections and learning things that will help me get a job. If I play my cards right, I'll get a job that can pay all this off in 10 years. I definitely hope to continue to live in London after I graduate, because I love it. King's is seriously fantastic.

I hope this helps! If you have any questions about King's, money or English-y subjects, just ask.

I hope this helps! If you have any questions about King's, money or English-y subjects, just ask.

Hello I was wondering if you could possible review your stay at moonraker point?

Oh sorry, I have only just seen your message Thank you for the response it has really been helpful! I am 99% firming King's now anyway, weighed up all the pros and cons and as you said, being in a great uni and in London will set me apart from other places. I also found a way to get Lancaster as my insurance as well so if all fails (which hopefully it won't!!) I will have a good backup spot too.


How are you finding the English Language side of your course?

Sorry, I've only just seen this!

Moonraker was absolutely fantastic. In fact I still miss it a year on! The rooms - really expensive, but also gorgeous and brand new (for us anyway). Each room is slightly differently arranged and some are bigger than others, but all have a 3/4 bed and an ensuite. The kitchens are big and spacious, there's a comfy sitting area in each one too, and a balcony. The people at reception are really friendly and helpful, without being intrusive or overly concerned about security - you won't have to sign friends in when they visit, for example, like at some King's halls. There's a really good atmosphere too, it's incredibly easy to make friends.

The only minus point I suppose is that the laundry facilities are only in one block, so a bit of a trek if you're in a different block. Also, the common room was really just sofas to wait for your washing, there wasn't much organised there. But we tended to hang out in our flats anyway so that wasn't a big deal.

Hope that helps!

Thank you very very much!! I'm so excited. Did you find it sociable and friendly?

Sorry, I've only just seen this!

Moonraker was absolutely fantastic. In fact I still miss it a year on! The rooms - really expensive, but also gorgeous and brand new (for us anyway). Each room is slightly differently arranged and some are bigger than others, but all have a 3/4 bed and an ensuite. The kitchens are big and spacious, there's a comfy sitting area in each one too, and a balcony. The people at reception are really friendly and helpful, without being intrusive or overly concerned about security - you won't have to sign friends in when they visit, for example, like at some King's halls. There's a really good atmosphere too, it's incredibly easy to make friends.

The only minus point I suppose is that the laundry facilities are only in one block, so a bit of a trek if you're in a different block. Also, the common room was really just sofas to wait for your washing, there wasn't much organised there. But we tended to hang out in our flats anyway so that wasn't a big deal.

Hope that helps!

My bad, only just seen this. Did you decide to firm your King's offer in the end then?

About English language - I know technically the degree title is 'English Language and Literature', but it's not at all connected to English language as a subject. I'm not even sure why that's the degree name, to be honest. Virtually everything we do is grounded in the study of literature, except for a few modules in the first year which look at texts from a language perspective. Language is really important to essays and suchlike, but it's not at all a different 'side' of the course. Hope that doesn't put you off!