London Schools: Suburb vs City

Are you looking forward to studying English in London?

Lucky for you, St Giles boasts two locations in the capital: London Central and London Highgate.

Though they are both in London, these schools offer different experiences, depending on what type of lifestyle you prefer.

St Giles London Central

St Giles London Central is a great choice if you are looking for a busy city life packed with activities and social interactions.

The School

The school occupies a magnificent 100-year-old building with 35 on-site residence rooms, which is unique for an international language school in central London. This modern, spacious school offers plenty of on-site facilities for students to enjoy, such as:

• A rooftop terrace
• Self-access study area
• Student library
• Student computers & Wi-Fi
• A large café

Transport

St Giles London Central is in Bloomsbury, just a 3-minute walk from the Russell Square underground station, which provides easy access to different locations within the city.

This convenient location makes it appealing to students of all ages, who can access a variety of recreational activities and social experiences. The school is also only a 10-minute walk from the popular tourist areas of Covent Garden and Soho.

Attractions in London Central

Some of our favourite attractions include:

• The British Museum – is only a 5-minute walk from the school was founded in 1753 and has a collection covering up to 2 million years of history. The collection showcases human knowledge of all forms and was the first museum of its kind.
• The Odeon cinema –  is a 10-minute from the school to Leicester Square. Here, students can enjoy the latest movies in IMAX, 3D, and the normal 2D format.  
• Oxford Street – is a 20-minute walk and is a major stretch of road that runs from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch. This famous street holds some of the most popular shops and restaurants for all to enjoy.
• Sports Centres – for students that want to stay fit and active, there is a sports centre nearby and is only an 11-minute walk from the school. There visitors can enjoy the use of the outdoor and indoor pool, gym, and squash courts.
• Indian, Italian, Chinese and Turkish restaurants – all a 1-minute walk
• Explore more places to visit in London Central.

London’s best hotspots are just a short distance from the school, making it one of the biggest benefits of living and studying in London Central.

St Giles London Highgate

The School

St Giles London Highgate is conveniently located approximately 7 minutes’ walk from the underground station and only 20 minutes from Central London. Local amenities are close by bus or tube, making it easily accessible for all students.

The school itself is housed in a historic yet modern building, with bright classrooms and interactive whiteboards. It also boasts a large private garden (perfect for summer parties and BBQs!), a picnic area, a conservatory & a lively student café where students can socialise between lessons.

London Highgate Transport

Students commuting to and from the school will encounter less traffic than in the City’s central areas.

The residences, homestays, and hotels in which St Giles students stay have a commute time of approximately 15-45 minutes by public transport.

Reduced traffic in a suburb means reduced noise pollution, which can appeal to those who value peace daily.

Attractions in London Highgate

Many attractions can be found around the Highgate area, which students who study at St Giles in Highgate get to enjoy.

One of the main advantages of studying in London Highgate is that the younger students have easy access to natural spaces. There’s access to outdoor recreational activities as there are facilities such as the Crouch End playing fields or Hornsey Cricket Club, both within a 15-minute walk of St Giles.

The vast number of green areas appeals to those seeking a more active lifestyle and wanting to enjoy nature and outdoor activities.

These include:

• Highgate Wood – is a 15-minute walk away and is described as a quiet haven for walkers and runners. There are plenty of open spaces for recreational cricket, football, rugby etc. and a café and a children’s playground.
• Kenwood House – a 35-minute walk away and is one of London’s hidden gems. The breathtaking building and its interiors house a stunning art collection that features Rembrandt’s ‘Self-Portrait with Two Circles’. There are activities for children and a café to enjoy.
• Everyman Muswell Hill Cinema – is a 30-minute walk from the school and is a small cinema that is artistically designed throughout. It holds five cinema screens, a Spielburger kitchen, and a bar area that’s filled with famous film memorabilia.
• Alexandra Park and Palace – 20-minute walk away and is a 200 acre diverse landscape park. It is home to almost a thousand different species of plants, insects, and arachnids that delicately balance its ecosystem.
• Explore more places to visit in London Highgate.

Studying at St Giles London

Courses at St Giles London Central

London Central has a variety of courses to appeal to our more mature students, including learning English for academic purposes or career improvement.

If you want to prepare for university, St Giles London Central offers students an IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) course. This course lasts at least two weeks and is designed for students who need an internationally recognised examination to apply to universities in countries such as the UK and Australia.

If you are a student looking to improve your professional career, London Central offers Platinum Business English. The Platinum Business English course is designed to enhance the language ability of professionals, executives, and mature learners. It lasts a minimum of one week and has a maximum of five students per class, guaranteeing quick progress in English skills.

In addition, students enrolled in this course gain exclusive access to the Platinum Lounge, which is ideal for networking and taking a break and is also where fortnightly social programme activities are held.

Our students have given the Platinum Business course a 5-star rating, mentioning that “the location is excellent.”

Similarly, London Central offers General English plus English for Business. This course is designed to improve students’ English skills specific to the business environment. Students will learn essential skills such as giving presentations, writing reports, and email communication.

NEW FOR 2025! General English for Over 30s

If you are over 30 and want to study with students of a similar age, General English for Over 30s offers a new learning experience. In addition to General English lessons, students will enjoy an exclusive social programme tailored to over 30s and invitations to certain Platinum events, which can improve their networking and business opportunities.

Courses at St Giles London Central

The courses offered in the Highgate location include General English Under 16 course and Secret U18.

The General English Under 16s course is for students aged 14-15 looking to improve their speaking and listening skills for daily communication. Many past and present students give this course a 5-star ranking that can “offer a great opportunity to improve your English and make many new friends”.

The Secret U18 course allows young students to learn general English while enjoying London’s best attractions.

NEW FOR 2025!

We offer a General English Plus Leadership course This 2-week course provides international teenagers and students with essential leadership skills and cultural awareness. The first week focuses on building a foundation, while the second week allows participants to apply these skills through project work, culminating in group presentations and feedback.

Due to the success of our Family Course, we are happy to add London Highgate as a new location. Families with kids from 5-11 can study together and explore this beautiful area of London.

London Highgate has a wide variety of courses to suit your needs!

Summary

The city centre and the surrounding suburbs can provide the students of St Giles with a combination of benefits.

However, the ideal location that suits you best depends on what aspects you value the most in your day-to-day life. Some will like the hustle and bustle of Central London, while others prefer to set that pace and feel more relaxed at our Highgate school.

If you have any further questions, please email us at booking@stgiles.co.uk. Or, if you’re ready to begin your English language journey, book your course now.