Study Abroad | London

Housing

Student Residence/DORM

AIFS Abroad students can apply for UW accommodation with options in Central London and at the Harrow Campus. Rooms are:

• Single occupancy
• Self-catered with a shared kitchen
• Shared or private bathroom depending on residence

Internet access is included in all AIFS Abroad housing in London

City Facts

Population

London has a diverse range of peoples and cultures, and more than 300 languages are spoken within its boundaries. London had topped 9 million people in 2020.  

Culture

London is home to numerous museums, galleries, libraries, sporting events and other cultural institutions, including the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, British Library and 40 West End theaters.

Transportation

London’s transportation system is also renowned, and the London Underground is the oldest underground railway network in the world.

Site Staff

AIFS Abroad in London Director, Academic Year and Semester Programs

Heather Lees

My love of travel began at an early age from moving around to different U.S. Naval bases and family road trips, to visiting family in the Philippines and studying abroad in the UK and Shanghai, China. After graduating from university in the U.S., I began a career in higher education, starting out in Residence Life and student activities before transitioning into international education. I have lived in the UK, on and off, for nearly 14 years (I am eligible for British citizenship!) and love to highlight all the UK has to offer. While I am mostly found indoors baking and crocheting, some of my favourite trips with students have been to national parks here in the UK… from ghyll scrambling in the Lake District to kayaking in the Brecon Beacons. I am a Mental Health First Aider and always happy to lend an ear.

The Program Director provides academic advice, introduces you to the community and handles communication with the University.

Cultural Activities

Learning does not begin or end in the classroom.  To help you get a true taste of British life and culture, the AIFS Student Services Team organizes an active social and cultural program.  A guided city tour is included in the program fee – the tour will take you past Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and more iconic London sites.  Many events are included in the program fee with a few requiring a small supplementary fee, giving students an inexpensive way to explore different parts of London.  Last year’s activities included:

• Black London, Street Art, and Harry Potter walking tours
• A sporting event
• Day trips such as Stonehenge and Stourhead, Oxford, and the Cotswolds
• River boat cruise along the Thames
• Theater performances
• Meals such as fish and chips, curry, or afternoon tea 

You may be asked to pay a small additional fee for some of the activities above.

Besides arranged activities, there is always a wide range of events taking place in and around London, concerts, festivals, seasonal and cultural celebrations, theater beyond the West End, workshops, meet ups and much, much more. Information on these events will be made available to students upon arrival in London. 

Facilities at the University of Westminster

At the University of Westminster students have access to 24-hour libraries, state-of-the-art science laboratories, advanced IT services, online learning resources, art, design, film and TV studios, world-class audio recording studios, galleries, sports and recreational facilities, as well as one of the few Bloomberg Financial Markets Suites in the UK.

Their dedicated architecture, art and design spaces include specialist workshops for wood, metal, molding, casting, photography and ceramics, and a new cutting-edge digital Fabrication Laboratory that offers a suite of 3D printers and laser cutters.

The University of Westminster Student Union also offer a range of clubs and societies for students giving the chance to follow your interests, try out new hobbies and meet local students. Student can also access on-campus gym facilities for a discount. Please note that free gym membership at British universities for students and staff is uncommon.