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Life in London
MCBT a leading London College
Whether you live in central London overlooking Madame Tussaud's, or in the more peaceful suburbs of Harrow, you can still get to the West End of London in a few minutes. It's cosmopolitan, it's exciting and it's one of the safest capital cities in the world.
Getting around London is one of the first things to sort out. Despite the size of the city, travel is usually straightforward with underground, bus (including night buses) and train networks. The National Union of Students (NUS) has obtained a student discount for London Transport travel cards. London is well connected by rail and road to the rest of the UK and Europe, and to the rest of the world with four major airports nearby.
It's quite possible to develop a varied and interesting lifestyle in London on a budget. With substantial student discounts and so many of the city's most appealing attractions being free, you'll always find ways to make your money go further. Living in London will increase the value of your studies.
Diversity and history of London
The diversity of London is an educational experience in itself. It is a city of separate areas, often famous in their own right and with distinctive characteristics. Londoners are as varied as the city itself, with communities from most countries of the world, giving an overall impression of a multicultural and friendly environment. The areas of Brixton, Camden, the East End, Hackney, Hoxton and Stoke Newington are vibrant, young areas with lively bar scenes; if you need to relax, head for the calmer atmospheres of Battersea, Dulwich, Greenwich, Hampstead, Highgate or the riverside.
Opportunities for development
Our campus is in easy reach of the Houses of Parliament, the BBC, the Stock Exchange and the British Library and British Museum. Situated at the centre of a global economic hub, the College is ideally located to network with leading businesses and employers based here: this means we can offer the best placements and work opportunities for our students. Your studies will be enhanced by the large number of important collections within easy reach: the College of London Library, the British Library, as well as the archives of many institutions and professional bodies are all close at pointer.
London is the focal point of British politics, finance and the media. If you feel like staying on, graduate skills are in demand. Managers, professionals and technical staff account for 48% of the workforce in London, compared to 38% across the rest of the UK.
You won't be studying all the time. London offers a stimulating diversity of culture and entertainment guides like Time Out keep you informed of events and activities. London is the place where things tend to happen first in art, music and fashion. Here's just a small selection of ideas:
Galleries:
Tate Modern hosts major exhibitions of contemporary art (installation and situational work is currently in vogue), as do the Saatchi and White chapel galleries. There are also free-entry private galleries (especially on Cork Street), and the newly-expanded Photographers' Gallery.
Music:
All the big pop, rock and dance outfits play here, but there are many more experimental, classical, world and jazz scenes to be explored. You can't fail to be impressed by the musical vibrancy of contemporary London. You can get into lots of events at a reduced price, or even for free.
Theatre:
Innovative Almeida in Islington, physical at Battersea Arts Centre, modern dance with the Rambert Company. With styles ranging from the historical Globe to the brash West End musicals, there's something for everyone.
Film:
National Film Theatre, Riverside Studios in Hammersmith and a host of small cinemas offer a huge range of independent UK and world cinema. And remember that you'll always be the first in the country to get to see the latest releases. Its good exercise and free; it's also the best way to see and get to know the city. London is a city of parks (39% of the city is green space), ranging from Hyde, Regent's and Green Parks, to the wilder Hampstead Heath and the unusual marshlands in Hackney. A walk along the river is a great way to experience the history and culture of each area, while getting away from the bustle of the city.
Clubs:
Intent on making the most of London's serious nightlife? Get to the upfront clubs of Brixton (for Mass and The Fridge) and Hoxton (for Herbal and bars like Living Room and Cantaloupe); also check out http://wwww.clubconnexion.com/ for more information.
Fashion and shopping:
As well as being home to designers Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood, London is famous for its markets: Petticoat Lane for cheap street fashion, Columbia Road for flowers, Portobello Road for secondpointer clothes, Dalston and Brixton for exotic fruit and vegetables.
Sport:
London is a great place to watch the game of your choice, be it football (with Arsenal, Chelsea, Fulham and Spurs to name but four London teams), rugby (at Twickenham) or cricket (at the Lords and Oval grounds), among many others.
Eating:
Most world cuisines are represented here at prices to suit everyone. You can eat out for as little as £3. With fashions in food and the make-up of London's population constantly evolving, there'll always be something new to try.
MCBT students don't just enjoy the culture of London they help to make it. Watch any of the various music channels, and the chances are that you'll hear a song or soundtrack written by our graduates. Pick up the early editions of The Guardian to see our graduates' copy. Look out for designs by our fashion students. The list is endless.
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