How much does it cost to live in London? Is it worth it?

I'm (hopefully) going to UCL this september and I'm applying for student finace atm. How much maintenance loan should I apply for? What is the average spend per month? Is it really that expensive to live in London and is it worth it?

Reply 1

Noodlzzz

Apply for the max amount, it is expensive to live and travel in London.

University College London

London

Reply 2

gwagon

Original post by Noodlzzz

Apply for the max amount, it is expensive to live and travel in London.

Lol that doesn't sound too good... I'm supposed to be joining UCL this september for Econ. The thing is I'm an international student living in the UK, but we are not that rich but I will pay intl fees+ accommodation+ living costs, with no help at all.
Do you know any scholarships that fit my bill?

Reply 3

username738914

Personally, no it's not worth it. That's why I'll be turning down my UCL offer to go for Warwick.

I'm of the opinion that, given I'm going to uni that is as targeted by top employers and that draws several of these employers on campus every year. It'd make more sense not to starve myself for 3-4 years, when I'll ultimately end up on London after uni with a well paying job anyway.

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Reply 4

Mathstatician

Original post by Princepieman

What about other considerations like social life, etc.? These are non-negligible. Being just outside coventry isn't exactly ideal if you want to have fun every once and a while.

I notice you applied to Bristol and Oxford too-- were there less successful applications? These universities seem to offer the best of both worlds.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 5

username738914

Original post by Mathstatician

- Career related societies usually hold balls and regular sponsored nights out. There's even a few international trips every year
- Birmingham and Leamington are close by for any big nights out
- Student-run events and nights out on campus are numerous

As far as I can tell, there's plenty of opportunities to have fun and uni life can be as hectic or boring as one can make it; ultimately boiling down to who you hang out with whilst there.

Oxford was a rejection, yeah. Bristol, I'll be insuring just need to go for a pre-offer visit day before my offer comes through.

Don't get me wrong, a city would be exciting but London's prices are just way out of reach for me. Especially as I don't get the extra London weighting on my loan as I'll be coming down from Scotland where the extra loan was axed in 2011.

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Reply 6

Mathstatician

Original post by Princepieman

Shame about the loan.

So are you going to warwick over bristol mostly because of the 'ranking' for maths/cs? My understanding was they are quite comparable. Idk. Personally, I think Bristol and Nottingham would have been my choices give what you (Except) to be left. Different priorities, I guess.

Best of luck either way.

Reply 7

username738914

Original post by Mathstatician

Warwick's Maths department is simply one of the best, not just ranking wise but in general. Plus, it's more targeted by the types of employers I'm interested in (IB/Finance) than the latter two - not to say the other two aren't targeted, they are but not to the same extent. On top of all of that, I'd have to say it was just the people I met when I visited that swayed me :smile: