Life in London - University of Staffordshire London

London offers the ultimate student experience. You can throw yourself into campus life, with its vibrant social vibe, or dip in and out of activities.

The local area is packed with things to do, from visiting restaurants to suit all tastes through to enjoying luscious green spaces and sport at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. What’s more, you can get from Stratford to the centre of the capital in as little as six minutes.

The area around campus is vibrant and lively, with something for everyone

The area around campus is vibrant and lively, with something for everyone. There are always events happening on the Canalside. And many bars and restaurants, like Four Quarters and Randy’s Wing Bar, offer student discounts. You can also take a free shuttle bus to Stratford Westfield, which has a wide variety of shops and restaurants. Tonkotsu, a popular ramen restaurant, is one of my favourites.

Malnaa Sumani

Concept Art student

Clubs and Societies

The Students’ Union organises events and there are lots of clubs and societies you can join as well. It’s ideal for finding a sense of community, meeting new friends and getting involved in student life.

Here East also hosts a programme of events for students, including freshers’ fest, a Christmas market and summer festivals.

The Student's Union

Food and Drink

On campus

On our campus, you can relax at The Den or combine a spot of gaming and food at our popular retro-gaming café Reload.

The Den

Here you’ll find all the things you need to help you chill out, including food prep spaces, sofas and comfy booths.

View virtual tour

Reload Café

Our retro-gaming café features arcade machines and consoles, plus an extensive range of drinks, snacks and hot foods.

View virtual tour

Here East

Here East is home to Canalside, which is bursting with restaurants and bars. Whether you’re after a bite for brunch or a full lunch, there are plenty of delicious options.

The Breakfast Club

The Breakfast Club is a family café offering all day food and drinks, they are especially well known for their brunches. Read more

Find out more: https://thebreakfastclubcafes.com/

Randy’s Wing Bar

Randy’s Wing Bar was formed from a mutual love of chicken wings and strong family bond. They have one restaurant in London, their flagship in Here East, Hackney Wick. Read more

Find out more: https://randyswingbar.co.uk/

Gotto Trattoria

Gotto Trattoria is an independent Italian restaurant with homemade Pasta, 48 hour proved Pizza and great cocktails. Read more

Find out more: https://www.gotto.co.uk/

Urban Food Fest

Different street food trucks & stalls every Saturday plus an ever changing selection of craft beers, ciders, wines, prosecco & cocktails! Read more

Find out more: https://urbanfoodfest.com/

The Lock Inn

The Lock Inn serves up brilliant cocktails and loads of exciting craft beers from local breweries, alongside delicious homemade pizzas, burgers and a great Sunday Roast. Read more

Find out more: https://www.thelockinnhackney.uk/

Four Quarters

Four Quarters is an arcade bar in East London. It has a selection of video games, as well as a canal-side location with a sun-drenched beer garden and a pizza menu. Read more

Find out more: https://fourquarters.bar/

Hackney Bridge

At Hackney Bridge, you’ll find a wide selection food traders – offering everything from Japanese inspired soul food, to Indian street food, Filipino barbecue, Neapolitan pizza and juicy burgers, as well as, plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.

Hackney Bridge Kitchens

Further afield

If you venture further afield in East London, there are a huge variety of places to eat out. In Shoreditch, popular venues include Club Mexicana and The Smoking Goat.

Club Mexicana

Club Mexicana is the home of vegan Mexican street food in London. The simple menu at this vibrant eatery offers nachos, tacos, and burritos with tasty plant-based fillings like BBQ jackfruit and vegan chicken. Read more

Find out more: https://www.clubmexicana.com/locations/shoreditch/

Smoking Goat

Smoking Goat is a Thai Barbecue Bar, featuring Cornish meat and fish with Thai flavouring. Read more

Find out more: https://www.smokinggoatbar.com/

It’s modern, clean and feels safe

I really enjoy the surrounding area of Staffordshire University London. It’s modern, clean and feels safe. Just outside the University, Canalside has a variety of bars, restaurants and a retro-gaming bar where you can play classic video games while you eat and drink. Olympic Park is great for walks, especially early in the morning when it is quiet and peaceful.

Peter Vladimirov

Computer Games Design student

Nightlife

For nightlife, London’s got it all. The Ministry of Sound in Southwark is known as the home of dance. If techno and electronica are more your scene, check out Fabric at Smithfield Market. Or closer to campus, there’s the Colour Factory at Hackney Wick.

The Ministry of Sound

The Ministry of Sound claims to be the home of dance music and you won't find many who disagree. It is one of London's flagship nightclubs. Read more

Find out more: https://www.ministryofsound.com/

Fabric

Fabric showcases underground DJ talent, internationally-renowned electronic music legends and accomplished live acts. Read more

Find out more: https://www.fabriclondon.com/

Colour Factory

Colour Factory is a night club, live music venue, food court and multi-functional events space in Hackney Wick. Read more

Find out more: https://www.colourfactory.com/

Shopping, Leisure and Sport

Westfield Stratford City

If you fancy some retail therapy, we are on the doorstep of Westfield Stratford City – one of Europe’s largest shopping centres. It’s got more than 200 shops, almost 90 places to eat out, and entertainment spots such as Vue Cinema, bowling alley All Star Lanes and gaming arenas.

Boxpark

For an unusual shopping and leisure experience, try out Bethnal Green’s Boxpark - a pop-up mall made from shipping containers. It also offers music, arts events, food and drink.

Sport

If you want to see sport on the big screen, The Yard is a great venue, or get physical yourself with a workout at F45 Stratford.

There’s always something to do, no matter what your interests

Staffordshire University London’s campus lets students get to anywhere in the city easily and experience all that London has to offer. There’s still plenty of things to do if students prefer to stay closer to campus. There’s always something to do, no matter what your interests.

Casey-Lee Nightingale

Computer Games Design student

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Take a lift to the top of the 114.5-metre tall ArcelorMittal Orbit and then experience a twisting descent down the world’s largest tunnel slide.

You can also get physical and explore sports at various Olympic Park venues. They include Lee Valley Velo Park, which offers track, road, BMX and mountain biking.

The London Aquatics Centre is famous for hosting Olympic champions during the 2012 Games. Whether you’re a novice swimmer or an experienced athlete, you’ll find lots to get involved in here.

Then there’s the Copper Box Arena, where high-profile sporting events, tournaments, exhibitions and concerts are held. You can use the impressive gym there too and also see the London Lions basketball team in action.