Must-Visit Museums During Your Student Life in London

During your busy student life, why not take some time to explore the charming city of London? Especially, if you are a museum lover, you are spoilt for choices, as London is home to some of the most interesting and impressive museums. This blog will introduce you to two famous London museums, which not only house rich collections of artistic, historical, and scientific treasures from various periods but also offer a variety of fun activities. Exploring London through its museums will deepen your understanding of this magical city and enrich your student life.

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A)

If you are interested in fashion and art, you cannot miss this museum during your student life in London! V&A is the world's largest museum of decorative arts and design. Founded in 1852 by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, this museum’s collection is extremely diverse, including sculptures, ceramics, glass, clothing, silverware, furniture, jewellery, photography, and other crafts, totalling up to over 4.5 million objects. Among them, the jewellery gallery is a must-visit, which boasts over 3,000 pieces of jewellery from around the world. Here, you'll see an array of rings, necklaces, and other accessories, all adorned with sparkling gemstones, leaving you mesmerised. One of the most famous pieces is the sapphire and diamond coronet designed by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria. Additionally, the fashion gallery features a wide range of outfits from the 17th century to the 1960s, chronicling the evolution of European clothing culture. 

Admission to this museum is free. If you study art or design, the V&A not only offers inspiration for your creations but also a peaceful, quiet environment for uninterrupted study. It is also worthwhile to visit the V&A's main café, the world's first museum café, where you can relax and enjoy fresh food and beverages in its beautifully antique halls. 

The V&A hosts Friday Late events on the last Friday of each month (except January, May, and December). During these events, the museum, which usually closes before 6 PM, stays open until 10 PM! Each Friday Late event has a different theme, celebrating contemporary visual culture and design through performance art, films, installations and debates, providing a rich audio-visual experience for visitors. You can even dance in the museum’s foyer to live DJ music. Even better, Friday Late is free and open for drop-ins. After a month of hard studying, gather your friends and head to a Friday Late event for a well-deserved break. Make the most of your student life!

The Science Museum

The Science Museum is just across the street from the V&A. Established in 1857, this museum boasts a rich collection of scientific and technological artifacts, showcasing various achievements from ancient times to the present day. This museum features many extraordinary exhibits, including a huge steam turbine, the Apollo 10 lunar module, and the first Apple computer. For students wanting to have a full experience of their student life, it is undoubtedly an excellent place for learning and exploration.

The Science Museum offers a year-round array of exhibitions and events suited for all ages, ensuring there's no shortage of fun. While entry to the museum is free, pre-booking through the official website is required. For access to the interactive galleries, you will need to purchase tickets and reserve your visit time.

The Science Museum houses an IMAX cinema, allowing you to watch an immersive film on one of the largest screens in the UK. The cinema frequently screens newly released blockbusters, cinema classics, and 3D documentaries such as ‘Antarctica’, produced by BBC Earth. 

The museum also hosts special evening events exclusively for adults called Science Museum Lates, held on the last Wednesday of each month. These events feature themed lectures, workshops, and even a Silent Disco. Imagine everyone dancing together with headphones on – it would be a unique experience for your student life. However, unlike the free and anytime entry at the V&A, you need to pre-book tickets, either free or VIP, to attend Lates. With an additional £12 for VIP tickets, you are promised early entry, discounts at the museum shop, and complimentary drinks. Regular activities at Lates incur an extra fee of £4-£5. For the full experience, visitors can expect to spend up to £10, which is very student-friendly

Museum Visiting Tips

Before visiting a museum, it's advisable to plan your itinerary. Museums are usually very large, and you likely won't be able to see all the exhibits in a short amount of time. Thus, it's recommended to visit the official website of the museum to determine the areas or exhibits that interest you the most, and then plan a reasonable route and schedule for your visit.

Additionally, if you're interested in the activities offered by these museums, make sure to closely follow the latest information on the museum's official website or social media. Each museum is constantly introducing new activities, some of which require reservations and have very limited availability. Being informed early allows you to secure a spot in these activities.

It's also a good idea to bring your student ID because most museum shops and special exhibitions offer student discounts.

Finally, if you're a keen museumgoer, I suggest buying a Student Art Pass. For just £10, you can enjoy free or discounted entry to hundreds of museums, art galleries, and historic sites across the UK, with a 50% discount on major exhibitions. It's a great way for students who frequent museums and exhibitions to save a significant amount of money, making their student life in London more affordable.

Every one of London’s museums is a world full of surprises and discoveries, adding more fun and meaning to your academic journey. So why not kick off your student life in London with a visit to a museum of your choice?