LCCA - London College of Contemporary Arts

Living in London


Our campus is located in the heart of London, an iconic city that ensures you’ll be exposed to a unique atmosphere with beautiful architecture, vibrant energy, and countless exciting opportunities.  

London is a central point in the world for arts and culture, so what better place to let your creative talents flourish? All of our programmes offer you the unique opportunity to study and be inspired, whether by the national galleries, museums, fashion boutiques, historic buildings such as the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace, or the West End—there’s something for everyone.

You will also be studying in one of the cities lucky enough to host the Olympic Games. The buzz of the games has never left the city, so there is no better time to study in London.

LCCA living in london overview

The advantages of studying in London


To live in London is to experience one of the greatest cities in the world. Students at LCCA benefit from a location known as the centre for culture, arts, politics, government, media, law, and finance. London carries a status unrivalled by any other city.

LCCA is at the heart of what has been described as “the cultural capital of the world”. The capital is home to over 200 museums (twice as many as Paris or New York), 150 theatres, 34,000 shops, 3,000 parks and open spaces, and 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Kew Gardens, Maritime Greenwich, Tower of London, and Westminster Abbey and Palace).

You’ll not only benefit socially as a student in London at LCCA but academically too. Surrounded by libraries, archives, galleries, and the headquarters of professional associations, you’ll have access to an unmatched range of cultural activities and influences.

Although London is known for its expensive cost of living, London students report some of the highest term-time incomes in the country, with an average monthly income of around £2,476 (NatWest Student Living Index 2023).

When it comes to launching a career, London graduates have a significant edge, thanks to the proximity of the country’s top employers in law, finance, business, media, and communications. With so many opportunities right on their doorstep, students at LCCA are uniquely positioned to step into their chosen career paths.

Entertainment


In many ways, London doesn't have to be any more expensive for students than other university towns or cities. The city offers a wealth of free attractions, from libraries, galleries, and museums to parks and street markets. With a bit of spending money, students can enjoy a vibrant cultural scene, including theatre, cinema, opera, ballet, music, sports, and nightlife, many of which offer student discounts.

Galleries


The Saatchi Gallery

The Saatchi Gallery is located in Chelsea and displays contemporary art by largely unknown local and international artists whose work has likely never been displayed.

The gallery was opened more than 25 years ago and now attracts over one million visitors annually.

The National Gallery

The National Gallery is an iconic building located in the heart of buzzing Trafalgar Square. It opened in 1824 and houses over 2,000 paintings, all of which belong to the British government.

Tate Modern

The Tate Modern is situated in the London borough of Southwark and holds the most extensive collection of British art, dating back to the 1900s as well as modern pieces. The Tate features the works of Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, and Barbara Hepworth.

Tate Britain

The Tate Britain is located in Millbank and features historical and contemporary British works. The Tate Modern and Tate Britain are connected via a pier.

V&A

The Victoria and Albert Museum is located in Kensington and is the world’s largest museum featuring decorative art and design, with over two million items. Its collections span more than 5,000 years and have objects from many of the world’s continents.

Serpentine Galleries

Both Serpentine galleries are located in Hyde Park and are connected via a bridge. The galleries attract more than one million visitors each year.

For almost 20 years now, the galleries have installed a pavilion, which is designed by a leading architecture firm.

Whitechapel Gallery

This gallery is located on Whitechapel High Street and was established in 1901. It considers the local community and their interests when putting on exhibitions.

The gallery is also a huge educational hub.

The Courtauld Gallery

This is an art museum in Somerset House, located on the Strand. It houses the Courtauld Institute of Art's collection of over 500 paintings.

The Photographers Gallery

The Photographer’s Gallery was established in Covent Garden and was the first public gallery dedicated to photography. In recent years, it has moved to Soho. The gallery's aim is to ensure everyone appreciates and understands photography's contribution to society.

The Design Museum

The Design Museum in Kensington exhibits industrial, graphic, fashion, and architectural design. In 2018, it won the European Museum of the Year Award.

Travel


London has excellent transport connections, with numerous major infrastructure upgrades underway. Travelling within the city, as well as to and from London across the UK, Europe, and beyond, is straightforward. LCCA is situated in Holborn, right at the heart of London’s creative hub.

Living expenses in London


In addition to your tuition fees, you must ensure you have enough funds for your daily expenses in the UK. As a guide, we recommend you have approximately £10,000 per year. This should cover accommodation, heating, lighting, food, clothing, books, daily travel, and entertainment.

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