Last Updated on June 9, 2023 by AIFS Abroad
London was just ranked the world’s number one student city by TopUniversities.com for the second year in a row! If you are looking to study abroad in a city with a diverse population and unlimited resources, look no further than London.
Here are 5 reasons why London is one of the best study abroad cities for college students wanting to go overseas.
1. World-class Universities
London is city rich with educational opportunities. Multiple top universities are located in the city with a wide selection of programs available. AIFS offers study abroad programs at St. George’s, University of London, University College London and Richmond, the American International University in London.
St. George’s is a prestigious medical school offering courses in a hands-on clinical environment. It’s also the only university in the U.K. dedicated to medicine, science and health and shares its campus with a teaching hospital. University College London (UCL) is a leading university consistently listed in the QS World University Ranking’s Top Ten. Richmond, the American International University in London is the first university in the U.K. to have the authority to grant both U.S. and U.K. degrees. Richmond has a thriving international student body, with students from over 100 nations.
2. Professional Opportunities
London is a global epicenter for finance, technology, business and the arts. In fact, the size of London’s economy is larger than that of several European nations! As one of the command centers for the global economy, students will find no shortage of professional opportunities when studying abroad in London.
AIFS offers the International Internship Program through Richmond, the American International University in London. Students can gain invaluable real-world experience while earning up to 12 semester credits. Internships are available in a wide variety of fields, including advertising, art and design, art history, event planning, fashion, finance, marketing, media, journalism, music, non-profit, politics, public relations, psychology and theater.
3. Historical and Cultural Sites
London is a city rich in history and culture. Students studying abroad can see the historic Tower of London and learn about its dark history. Used as a prison in the 16th and 17th centuries, the Tower of London is now a protected World Heritage Site and one of England’s most popular attractions. Stroll by the beautiful Buckingham Palace, home of the Queen. Built in 1703 and remodeled numerous times, the Palace has an impressive 775 rooms and the largest private garden in London. Don’t forget to take pictures in front of Big Ben, the most famous clocktower in the world! A British cultural icon, Big Ben has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and looms 315 feet above the city.
Many cultural activities and tours are included when you study abroad with AIFS! Students enjoy activities such as a Harry Potter tour, trips to an English soccer game, performances at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and a tour of the Houses of Parliament.
4. Thriving Food Scene
London is a multicultural city with culinary masterpieces available from all corners of the globe. There’s no shortage of traditional British dishes like an English breakfast, mincemeat pies and pastries. Students will also find culinary delights from all over the world, like Spanish tapas, Indian curry, French wine and Congolese cassava pudding.
Students studying abroad in London with AIFS receive a meal plan and have plenty of opportunities to sample London’s diverse cuisine.
5. The Sports
Few cities rival London’s athletic scene. Football—known as soccer in the U.S.—is the most popular spectator sport in London and has several of England’s leading clubs (teams). Wembley Stadium, located in northwest London, is the national football stadium. Other popular sporting events include rugby, cricket, rowing and tennis. London also stands as the most frequently chosen host of the Olympics in modern history and was the first city to host the Summer Olympics three times.
AIFS offers a Sports Management Internship Program for students studying abroad in London. Students take a course exploring the expanding practice of sports management in an international setting while completing an internship in the field. Field trips are an integral part of the program and include a visit to a London football stadium, a tour of Olympic Park (home of the 2012 London Olympics) and a trip to Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Club.
No matter what your major or interests, London has all the resources a college student could want when studying abroad!
