The London Olympics in 2012 - A Quick Guide to the Main Venues

New Venues

The Olympic Park is the main area of development in London. Located in the north-east of London in an area that was previously underused: The Lea Valley, it will be host to the new-build venues. It contains the following 'Big Five ' structures:

London 2012

The Olympic Stadium - where the main athletic events will be held.The Aquatics Centre - where the swimming events will take placeThe Olympic community - where competitors will be staying while the eventThe Velodrome - where the cycling events are scheduledThe Ibc/Mpc - a media centre to house the international Tv crews, journalists and photographers.

All 'Big Five' venues are currently 'on track', though there is wide acknowledgement among development engineers that 2010 will be the 'toughest' year for development contractors, as the build cycle is now at its busiest phase.

Existing Venues

The following is a list of existing sites which will be modified to host a collection of sporting events:

Earls Court in West London - normally stages exhibitions and A-list Pop/Rock star gigs, it will be hosting the Olympic Volleyball events.
ExCeL - is other large exhibition space, Located east of the Docklands and will home to a range of sports including: Boxing, Fencing, Judo, Table Tennis, Weightlifting, Powerlifting and other less well-known events (such as Taekwondo) for both able-bodied athletes and Paralympians.
Greenwich Park - south of the Docklands is hosting the Equestrian and contemporary Pentathlon events, with the cross country procedure running across the parkland.
Horseguards Parade - it sounds unlikely, but true: the Beach Volleyball will be held on the space normally reserved for 'Trooping the Colour'. The ball could bounce across into the Prime Minister's garden from there.
The Dome - in North Greenwich, will host the Basketball and artistic gymnastics. The ill-fated Millennium Dome has been successfully hosting gigs and basketball events for years now and has turned its 'White Elephant' status around completely, normally selling out in minutes.
The Royal Artillery Barracks - a spectacular setting for the shooting events in Woolwich, South-east London. Built in 1776, the structure are steeped in forces history. Arsenal football club began nearby, using their traditional name: 'The Woolwich Arsenal'.
Wembley Stadium - will host the football. Recently rebuilt at eye-watering expense, this venue is the traditional home of English football.
Wimbledon - unsurprisingly, will host the tennis competition.

In addition Hyde Park and Regent's Park will host the Triathlon and Cycling events, respectively.

The main stadium roof was successfully raised on the 15th December 2009, prompting Lord Coe (London 2012 Committee Chair) and Olympics Minister, Tessa Jowell to confirm their belief in building contractors hitting their key targets. It appears that the 2012 Olympic preparations are on agenda and belief is high, despite the global recession, that the Games will accomplish the high standards promised, when London won the bid in July 2005.

The London Olympics in 2012 - A Quick Guide to the Main Venues

Rented Accommodation 2012 London Olympic Games - Is It Right For You

The Olympic Games in London 2012 may still seem a long way off, however failing to prepare early will only lead to upset when it comes to booking accommodation for the big event. In the past with the Olympic Games and other major sporting events, those that fail to place a deposit on accommodation early rarely end up staying where they would like to. Through being prepared you can not only choose where you will be positioned, you can also choose between all the great hotels, rented accommodation and guest houses that will be available. There are also usually financial incentives for placing a deposit in advance - which means you will be guaranteed a place, you will not risk last minute price hikes and you can relax knowing you will have a great time.

Temporary rented accommodation for the 2012 London Olympic Games is generally available because property developers, land lords and even home owners decide to rent out their accommodation and capitalize on the increased demand during the games. Rented accommodation is much like a home away from home; you will have the keys and only you and the people traveling with you will be able to stay there.

Olympics 2012

Advantages

You can eat and sleep at whatever time you please. You can also choose to eat in some nights, eat out other nights and basically live as you do when you are back at home. The added flexibility also means you can have guests over, smoke if you want to, take animals with you and anything else that the landlord would appear to be okay with.

Many people enjoy their privacy and what better way to get privacy than in rented accommodation? You will not have any other guests to worry about, nor will you have to be treated in a way that is meant to accommodate for everyone, rather than your needs specifically. The cost of rented accommodation is often much cheaper than a hotel. The reason for this is that there is no service associated with your accommodation, which is in turn a saving that you will get to benefit from. If you book early you can expect exceptionally reasonable prices.

Disadvantages

When you are away you will not have the luxury of room service or other services which are very much the essence of the hotel experience. You will have to go out for dinner or cook yourself, and you can forget asking anyone else to calling a cab for you! Rented accommodation may not be available near the city center which means you could have a long traveling distance between where you stay and where you are going to watch the London 2012 Olympic Games.

When people are away on vacation they may wish to meet new people from different cultures and make friends that they can associate their holiday with, and hopefully keep in touch with for much longer. When you stay in rented accommodation, much of the opportunity to get to know people is removed.

Rented Accommodation 2012 London Olympic Games - Is It Right For You

The History of Cardiff

Many factors influenced Cardiff's culture throughout the centuries, transforming it into an international city. The Romans built the city, the Normans constructed over it, the Vikings brought prosperity and the industrial revolution transformed it.

Wales is a legendary territory that can brag an impressive history. Cardiff has existed in Wales since Roman times. Many factors influenced Cardiff's rich culture throughout the centuries, transforming a small town into an international city. It was the Romans that built the city, the Normans that constructed over it. The Vikings brought prosperity to the city through their maritime trade and the industrial revolution with the coal industry transformed it to a modern city.

Olympics 2012

If we are talking about a city that claims to have the largest concentration of castles of any city of Europe we must mention the history that makes each castle to have its own life and personality.

In fact, Cardiff, a city situated on a reclaimed marshland and a bed of Triassic stones, has its roots dating back to AD 55 when the Romans established a fort on what is now the site of Cardiff Castle. Some of the original Roman walls can still be seen in Cardiff Castle, and it is suggested that Cardiff even took its name from Roman general Aulus Didius - Caer Didi means "Fort of Didius". Others say that the name of the city is an Anglicization of the Welsh name "Caerdydd" - "Caer" means "fort" or "castle", but although "Dydd" means "Day" in modern Welsh, it is unclear what was meant in this context. Some believe that "Dydd" or "Diff" was a corruption of "Taff", the river on which Cardiff castle stands, in which case "Cardiff" would mean "the fort on the river Taff" (in Welsh the T mutates to D).

The Romans ended their rule in Cardiff in 350AD when they abandoned their forts. Cardiff became a settlement after the Viking invasion. They began to develop maritime trade from which the town (later to become a city) was to derive its prosperity. The Vikings - who controlled the Bristol Channel - used Cardiff as a raiding base, a port and a trading post.

After the invasion of William the Conqueror, the Normans built their castle on the site of the earlier Roman fort to protect them from the Welsh inhabitants, but that castle was substantially altered and extended during the Victorian period by John Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute and the architect William Burges. After years of Norman control, the Welsh united and invaded the castle. They destroyed Norman property and destroyed the castle until the Earl of Warwick; Richard Beauchamp rebuilt it in 1423.

During the 15th century Cardiff became leaderless till Owain Glen Dwr, known as the independent "Prince of Wales", successfully led the revolt for the Celtic Welsh against the English around 1400. His success was short lasting, as under Henry IV the English galvanized their forces and led a successful campaign against the rebels. In spite of this, Glyn Dwr was never captured and remained a hunted rebel.

In the late 19th Century, the 2nd Marquess of Bute built the Glamorganshire canal, which linked Merthyr Tydfil with Cardiff and the Cardiff docks, to take advantage of the huge coal reserves in the area. Thanks to this canal Cardiff became the biggest coal exporting port in the world and was granted the status of city in 1905 by Edward VII. By the end of the first decade of the 20th century the port had reached its peak, with more than 10 million tons of coal going through the port. The economic boom had drawn with it a significant increase in population. Dockworkers and sailors from across the world had settled in neighbourhoods close to the docks, known as Tiger Bay, and communities from up to 45 different nationalities, including Norwegian, Somalian, Yemenese, Spanish, Italian, Caribbean and Irish, helped to create the unique multi-cultural character of the area.

Cardiff is also famous for Captain Robert Scott's journey to the South Pole. He set sail from Cardiff but unfortunately the expedition was unsuccessful.There is a lighthouse in Roath Park in his memory.

Cardiff underwent a decline period in the 1970s and 1980s. However, once this decline was surpassed, Cardiff's docks and centre were modified. Cardiff Bay is a marvellous attraction by the water,and the Millenium Stadium stands as proof that Cardiff is a genuine European capital city.

2005 saw Cardiff celebrate 100 years of existence as a city, as well as 50 years as the capital of Wales, so this meant a twofold anniversary celebrated in true Welsh style.

In 2004, Cardiff was picked to be the world's first fair trade capital city, having a major contribution in this project. As a consequence, when you visit several of Cardiff's cafes, stores or supermarkets, you will most likely find an abundence of Fair Trade products.

In popular culture, Cardiff is meaningful because it is home to Terry Nation, the 'father' of Doctor Who's arch enemies, the Daleks. In 2005, the Daleks have returned to BBC Wales for a fresh series of Doctor Who. Season number two of Doctor Who was filmed in and in the surroundings of the picturesque city of Cardiff, as was the spin off 'Torchwood' series.

Other famous people that were born in the Welsh capital city include the children's writer Roald Dahl, Ryan Giggs, Colin Jackson, Dame Tanni Grey Thompson, Dame Shirley Bassey and Charlotte Church.

Cardiff is a great sporting city. In 1959, Cardiff was the home to the British Empire and Commonwealth Games. The Millenium Stadium, built instead of a swimming pool, was home to the 1999 Rugby World Cup. The Millenium Stadium gained popularity due to the Wales team, who won the Six Nations Grand Slam Championship in 2005. In 2009, Cardiff will host an Ashes cricket test match, while in 2012 there will be some football matches played here within the framework of the London Olympic Games.

The History of Cardiff

A Guide for Expats and International Students Living and learning in London, Uk

Recent years show a steady increase in the amount of international students looking to get higher education in the Uk, focusing generally on studying in London, as well as a raise in the amount of foreign nationals living in London as part of their employment training and administration requirements. This guide will focus on beneficial facts and tips for both the international students in the Uk and the large community of expatriates in London.

About London:

London 2012

Rich in history and heritage, London provides a blend of past and present. With roots dating as early as 43 Ad, when it was built by the Romans and named at that time Londinium, London has grown and industrialized with time to the huge multicultural metropolitan it is today and of the three most leading financial centers in the world.

London is situated on the River Thames and with a population of close to 8,000,000, it is the largest city in the European Union. With strengths in almost all leading research and life style aspects of life, London is famous as a global cultural capital, with more languages spoken in the city of London than in any other city in the world.

London is divided to boroughs and districts. Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England exterior London. It is divided into 32 isolate London boroughs, each governed by a London borough council, and the City of London, which has a unique government. (total 33 boroughs). The 33 boroughs of London are divided into 14 Inner London boroughs and 19 Outer London boroughs.

The largest business in London is finance, with more than a half of the Uk's top 100 listed clubs and more than 100 of Europe's 500 largest clubs have their headquarters in central London. The five major firm districts: the City, Westminster, Canary Wharf, Camden & Islington and Lambeth & Southwark.

Tips & Info for living in the Uk:

Uk student Vida:

All international students from exterior the Eu need to have a student visa. The granting of a Uk students visa is based on a principles called Tier 4. In order to apply for a student visa, 40 points have to be counted under the Tier 4 system. These points are gained with a confirmation of acceptance for studies (also known as Cas, which is valid for 6 months from the date issued by your institution) from a border division beloved university in the Uk and a proof of adequate funding for the tuition fees and living costs. The application for the student visa must be submitted within minimum 3 months before the start of the beloved courses.

Transportation in London:

London is indeed accessible by all means of public transportation. You can tour in and nearby London by the tube, train, bus and the Light Railway (Dlr). You should consideration that although indeed accessible by public transportation, it might get a bit expensive, so it is recommended to plan your expenses in strengthen by paying attentiveness to these tips:

Buy tour cards - these can be used on the tube lines, buses and trains and offer high value allowance compared to private tickets. Make sure your tour card if for the tight tour zone - London is divided to 6 tour zones (where zone 1 is the most central one). Oyster card - A London wide tour card which offers discounts on buses, tube lines, Dlr, ferry and train fares. For students who plan to use public vehicle often, getting an Oyster is very recommended.

Taxis in London - though more high-priced than the public transportation routes, sometimes you will need to tour by taxi. You can whether order one from the street, or plainly send an Sms with the word "Cab" to 60835 and you will get back the feel numbers for a cab in the area.

Expenses & living costs in the Uk:

In most cities in the Uk the living costs are not high. However, London is one of the more high-priced cities in Europe and the median living costs vary significantly in the middle of its separate areas. A major factor in preparing a budget for the required costs of living in the Uk will be the room factor. Since the room in London gets very pricey at the central of the city (zones 1 and 2), many foreign nationals who live in London choose the more outer areas for their residence.

For international students in the Uk, the Ukba (the Uk Border Agency) requires a budget of at least£800 per month for living in the outer London areas.These amounts are required for exterior only the living costs and do not cover the Tuition fees in the Uk which Vary in the middle of £4,000 and £22,000 annually (average of £11,000 per year).

Although an high-priced city, London provides a cost-effective studying feel as many part time jobs for students are ready in the city. In addition, many attractions, events, lectures and scholastic seminars are held for free or given at very low prices for the tens of thousands of international students and professionals residing in the city.

Medical care in the Uk:

International students in the Uk whose courses last more than six months are entitled to receive medicine from the Uk's National health service (Nhs) for no added charge.

Expats, which do not have Eu passports and are living in the Uk will need to get from their employers an extended medical insurance. If living in the Uk longer than a year then it is possible to receive free Nhs treatments pending registration with a local doctor.

Night life:

Night life in London is famous worldwide for its diversity and intensiveness. It ranges from being a global capital of club scenes to the more localized neighborhood pubs and student bars with a taste for everyone. For those looking for the more upscale cocktail bars, a gad down South Kensington or Walton street will provide an occasion to mix with the Chelsea crowed.

Sightseeing in London:

With the third most international visitors in the world, four Unesco landmarks and scores of historical, contemporary and diverse locations, London offers unparalleled scenery features. Some of the major sightseeing landmarks for a vacation in London are: Buckingham Palace, London Eye, Big Ben & The House of Parliament, Tower of London, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, Tate Modern, Trafalgar square and Tower Bridge.

Universities in London:

London is a important city for higher education with a global impact. With more than 40 universities, London constitutes the largest heap of higher education facilities in Europe. With close to half a million students, from which about 100,000 are international students, London provides a multicultural, popular destination for scores of international students.

Below is a detailed list of the leading colleges and universities in London:

Birkbeck, University of London:

Birkbeck University is London's sole higher education make specializing in evening courses and degrees with almost all of its students attending part time evening studies.

It has a multi-cultural student population with students advent from over 120 countries attending the diverse courses offered ranging from short initial courses and degrees to full-time PhD degrees.

Rankings and awards:

Birkbeck was ranked 111 in the world for Arts & humanities in the 2011 Qs World University Rankings. Birkbeck was ranked as amount 149 in the world in the 2011-12 Times Higher education World University Rankings. Birkbeck was awarded the prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize for excellence in higher education research.

International students in Birkbeck:

For students entering the Uk on a Tier 4 student visa, the following courses are available:

• Full-time Master's programmes

• Full-time Mphil/PhD programmes

• Full-time undergraduate degrees

A small amount of international students are eligible to study part time.

Brunel University:

Brunel University is settled in west London. It is organized into eight scholastic schools exterior 10 research institutes. Brunel has 15,000 full time students, with an international student population of ~2,500 attending a wide range of courses for undergraduate & postgraduate students.

Established in 1966, Brunel contemporary and self-contained campus offers a vivid and interactive atmosphere with various off campus activities for students exterior of their curricular studies.

Rankings and awards:

Brunel was ranked the 42nd highest ranked Uk university (351st globally) in the 2011/12 Qs rankings. Brunel was ranked 251-275 (shared ranking) by the 2011/12 Thes world university rankings. Brunel won The University won the Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2011.

Courses for international students in Brunel:

Brunel offers for international students a wide range of preparatory courses, including foundation and pre-masters, pre-sessional and in-sessional English language studies, and study skill programmes which withhold students throughout their studies. Though famous generally for its engineering and make courses, Brunel also offers courses in fields such as business, computing and maths, public sciences, sport sciences, law and economics, education, humanities, health and public care, optic and performing arts as well as the environment studies.

City University London:

City University has its main campus in the Islington area of central London, with added campuses in the city of London and in Holborn, Smithfield and Whitechapel areas. It is organised into 7 schools exterior nearby 40 scholastic departments. With over a century old research feel and constant high scholastic rankings, City University is a a true global university, with the highest proportions of international and graduate students compared to any other university in the Uk.

Rankings and awards:

City is ranked 356th in the world in the 2011 Qs World University Rankings. City is ranked 8th out of London universities (The Sunday Times University Guide 2011). City is the first Uk University student Centre to receive the service Mark capability proper from the make of customer Service.

International students in City University London:

City University London is one of the most international universities in the Uk with over 21,000 students advent from more than 160 countries and staff from over 50 countries. More than 100,000 former students from over 150 countries are members of its Alumni Network. City is the fifth largest higher education preparing within central London.

Goldsmiths, University of London:

Founded in 1981, the university specialises in the arts, humanities and public sciences. The college is Internationally famous for its offering over the years to the arts and sciences, and its division of Art is determined as one of Britain's most prestigious facilities.

Rankings and awards:

Goldsmiths was ranked in 2008 at the world's top 100 and the Uk's top 20 universities for the arts and humanities, it was also are ranked ninth in the Uk for world-leading research.

International students in Goldsmiths:

The university has over 9,000 students, from which about 20% come from exterior of the Uk from over 120 countries.

Imperial College London:

The Imperial College of Science, Technology and medicine is over a century old. It is specialising in science, engineering, firm and medicine. It is organised into four main scholastic units and has nearby 13,500 students.

Rankings and awards

Imperial College is consistently ranked one of the top universities in the world. Most rankings place it in the top 10 globally. Imperial is consistently ranked one as one of the top universities in the Uk Imperial is one of the best universities in the Uk with regards to terms of job prospects, with the median beginning wage of an Imperial graduate as the highest of any Uk university.

International students in Imperial college:

Imperial has students advent from over 120 countries, with a division of over 45% of the students and over 30% of staff advent from exterior the Uk.

King's College London:

King's College is the third oldest university in England, founded in 1836 and famous as one of the Uk's most prestigious universities. It is organised into 9 schools and it is one of the largest centres for graduate and post-graduate medical teaching and biomedical research in Europe.

Rankings and awards:

In the 2010 scholastic Ranking of World Universities, King's College was ranked 16th in Europe and 63rd in the World. It is ranked 21st in the world and 6th in Europe agreeing to the 2010 Qs World University Rankings. In September 2010, The Sunday Times premium King's as its "University of the Year, and at that time, there were ten Nobel Prize laureates surrounded by its alumni and current and former faculty.

International students at King's College:

The College welcomes applications from all countries. The college has a qualified prestige in the humanities, law, the sciences (including a wide range of health areas such as psychiatry, medicine, nursing and dentistry) and public sciences including international affairs.

Kingston University London:

Founded in 1899, Kingston offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate work spread across seven faculties in increasing to various added education provisions.

The teaching and research in the university are organized in 5 faculties:

• Faculty of Art, make and Architecture

• Faculty of Arts and public Sciences

• Faculty of firm and Law

• Faculty of health and public Care Sciences

• Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing

International students in Kingston university:

Kingston has 23,000 students including about 3600 international students advent from over 150 countries.

London firm School:

Lbs has the widest range of Masters programmes among the top firm schools. It's the only school in Europe, and one of only three firm schools in the world, to offer a Sloan Msc programme. It's also the only top firm school to offer a specialist Masters in Finance programme.

Rankings and awards:

Lbs is ranked among the top 10 firm schools in the world for Mba programmes and among the top 5 in Europe. In 2011, the Financial Times ranked for the third year in a row the London firm School as the amount one in the world for its Mba programme. International students in London firm School: Over 1,400 degree students from 130 countries graduate from the School each year. Lbs offers over 100 clubs to a student body from over 130 countries. The Mba Programme at London firm School has one of the world's largest international replacement programmes.

London Metropolitan University:

London Metropolitan University is the largest "single university" in London, with more than 28,000 students. The University offers 485 degree courses (in undergraduate and postgraduate courses) as it offers the widest selection of courses in London.

London Metropolitan University faculties and schools are:

• London Metropolitan firm School;

• Faculty of Life Sciences

• Faculty of Computing

• Faculty of Humanities, Arts, Languages & Education

• Faculty of Applied public Sciences

• Faculty of Architecture and Spatial Design

• Faculty of Law, Governance and International Relations

• Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Media and Design

Rankings and awards:

London Met's architecture division was ranked 18th and 20th in 2011 and 2012 at The Guardian University League Tables.

International students in the London Met:

The London Met is ranked in the top ten most popular universities in the Uk for international students. The London Met has the highest numbers of international students in the Uk, from more than 150 countries.

London School of Economics and Political Science (Lse):

Founded in 1895, the Lse specialised in the public sciences and offers teaching across various public sciences fields such as accounting and finance, anthropology, applied statistics, actuarial science, economic history, economics, geography, government, history, international development, international relations, law, management, philosophy, politics, psychology, public policy, sociology, mathematics and statistics.

Rankings and awards:

Lse was stated as the leading public science convention in the world by the Fulbright Commission. The university is famous as one of the leading public science universities in the world, ranked alongside Harvard, Uc Berkeley and Stanford. Lse often scores well in the public science exact section of the The-Qs World University rankings and all the time ranked among the top 5 universities. Lse is one of only four British institutions to have never ranked exterior the top 10 in any compiled league ranking table.

International students in Lse:

London School of Economics and Political Science is among the world's most selective universities. It has a very international student body with nearby 9,000 full time students from 140 countries. Lse has a cosmopolitan staff of just over 3,000, with about 45 per cent drawn from countries exterior the Uk. Over 100 languages are spoken on Lse's campus An influential network of close to 100,000 Lse alumni spans the world in more than 190 countries.

London South Bank University (Lsbu):

Founded in 1892, the Lsbu is one of the largest and oldest universities in London, retention teachings for over 25,000 students and having a staff of 1,700. The university has four faculties exterior the fields of health & public Care, Business, Arts & Human Sciences and Engineering, Science & the Built Environment. The main campus of the Lsbu is close to many of London's major landmarks and sightseeing attractions and indeed reachable by London's public transport.

Rankings and awards:

The Sunday Times University Guide 2011 ranked the London South Bank University has as 6th in the Uk for graduate beginning salaries. International students in London South Bank University: Lsbu has over 2,000 international students advent from more than 130 countries. 12% of the international students in Lsbu come from the Eu and overseas.

Middlesex University:

Middlesex University is an international university with roots in London offering over 400 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in four Schools: Engineering & facts Sciences; health & public Sciences; Arts & education and business.

Rankings and awards:

Middlesex University was awarded with three Queen's Awards for Higher and added education as well as twice the Queen's Award for Enterprise. The public Science research Network (Ssrn) ranked Middlesex University firm School among the top 20 international firm schools in the world (and ahead of Oxford and Cambridge).

International students in Middlesex University:

22,000 students attend the University's campuses in London, 20% of which are international students. A total of nearby 35,000 attend Middlesex University campuses worldwide.

Queen Mary, University of London

Queen Mary, University of London (Qmul or Qm) has roots dating back to as early as 1785. It offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses as well as research opportunities in the areas of medicine and dentistry, science and engineering, humanities and public sciences.

Rankings and awards:

Ranked 172 in the world, Qs-The World University Rankings 2011/12 Ranked top 10 in Uk for graduate beginning salaries, The Sunday Times 2009 Queen Mary achieved student delight of 88% to rank equal 2nd in London Ranked the sixth best Uk university for student employability Ranked 11th out of 132 universities in the Uk for research appraisal (Guardian)

International students in Queen Mary:

15,000 students, 5,000 of which come from overseas. Qmul is the only college in the University of London to have an integrated teaching, research and residential campus settled in central London.

Ravensbourne College of make and Communication:

With roots in 1959, Ravensbourne college offers a make and transportation folder with a focus on providing skills in the courses of fashion; broadcasting; interactive goods design; graphics; inviting image; architecture environment design; media and sound design; animation; and carrying out video. The university also provides a selection of masterclasses and short courses for both students and business professionals.

Rankings and awards:

Ravensbourne students have achieved acclaimed success in Uk national competitions such as the Royal community of Arts make Awards (Rsa), British make in Art Direction Awards (D&Ad), New Designers Awards, Graduate Fashion Week Awards and Promax Awards. The University is internationally famous for its first-rate media and transportation innovative activity.

International students in Ravensbourne:

The university has degrees validated and awarded by City University London. Ravensbourne is a popular destination for international students.

Regent's College London:

Regents offers a wide range of courses in firm and administration & the Arts and Humanities, including American and British degree programmes. It is the largest s school of hidden higher education in the Uk.

The college has two faculties accommodating 7 specialist schools:

• European firm School London

• Regent's firm School London

• Regent's American College London

• Webster Graduate School London

• London School of Film, Media & Performance

• School of Psychotherapy & Counselling Psychology

• Internexus English Language School

International students in Regents College:

The college is one of the most internationally diverse schools in the Uk with students arriving from over 130 countries and with over 130 spoken languages on campus. Regent's has established links with clubs worldwide, assisting students to gain work feel and find internships.

Royal Holloway, University of London (Rhul):

A member of the University of London since 1900, Rhul is determined one of the most respected and prestigious universities in London and ranked in the Top 10 research oppressive universities in the Uk. It has 7,500 students attending its 3 faculties exterior 18 scholastic departments in the fields of: Arts & public Sciences; administration & Economics; Science.

Rankings and awards:

The Times Higher education World University Rankings raked the college in 2010 as the 13th in the Uk, the 22nd in Europe, and the 88th in the world. As of 2012, Royal Holloway is now settled fourth surrounded by the colleges of the University of London federation. The University is listed as the 5th best university in London out of 20. The college is ranked in the top 20 universities for research in the Uk.

International students in Royal Holloway:

• Students from over 130 countries study at the Rhul

• The college is ranked 2nd in graduate employment statistics.

The School of Oriental and African Studies (Soas):

A constituent college of the University of London, the Soas specializes in history, laws, politics, development economics, humanities and languages with regard to Asia, Africa and the Middle East. It is the only higher education convention in the Uk specialising in these fields. It offers more than 300 undergraduate Bachelor's degree combinations, over 70 one-year intensively taught Master's degrees, as well as Mphil and PhD degrees.

Rankings and awards:

The Soas consistently ranks as one of the top universities in the Uk. The Times Higher education world rankings place Soas 44th in the world, 7th in the United Kingdom, and 11th in Europe.

International students in Soas:

Soas has the largest attentiveness of academics implicated with Asia, Africa and the Middle East of any university in the world. Over 40% of the students at Soas come from exterior the Uk. Students from over 130 countries study at the Soas.

St George's, University of London (Sgul):

A constituent college of the University of London and a medical school with origins in 1733, St. George's university is the Uk's only independent medical and healthcare higher education institution, one of the largest medical schools in the Uk andranked 2nd in the Uk for the impact of its published research.

International students in St George's:

Students in the university arrive from over 90 separate countries. The school offers more than 35 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at Diploma, Bachelor and specialist levels.

Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance:

Trinity Laban is the Uk's only conservatoire of music and dance and world famous for its centres of music and dance education. The Conservatoire comprises two Faculties, both regarded as world leaders in their respective fields - the Music Faculty and the Dance Faculty. All degrees offered by the Conservatoire are validated by City University London.

Rankings and awards:

In The Guardian University guide 2011, published in June 2010, the Conservatoire was ranked in the following league tables:

Joint 1st (with Warwick) out of 87 institutions in Drama and dance. 8th out of 71 institutions in Music. 5th out of 35 in the specialist institutions league table.

International students in Trinity Laban:

The make has students advent from more than 40 countries. The Dance Faculty is determined as one of Europe's leading centres for the teaching of contemporary dance. The Music Faculty has gained international prestige as a leading institutions in the Uk for music studies.

University College London (Ucl):

Established in 1826, Ucl is the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London. Ucl is organised into 10 faculties, exterior over 100 departments, institutes and research centres serving its over 24,000 students.

Rankings and awards:

In the 2011 scholastic Ranking of World Universities, Ucl is ranked 20th in the world and 3rd in Europe. Ucl has been described by the Sunday Times newspaper as 'an intellectual powerhouse with a world-class reputation' and is consistently ranked surrounded by the world's finest universities. In the 2011 Qs World University Rankings, Ucl is ranked 7th in the world and 4th in Europe. Ucl is consistently one of the top multi-faculty universities in Uk university rankings. Ucl is ranked first in the Uk for its staff/student ratio in The Times Good University Guide, The Sunday Times University Guide and The Guardian University Guide.

International students in Ucl:

Ucl has a diverse multicultural student base advent from over 140 separate countries and representing nearby 30% of its total attending students. Ucl has active replacement and research links with over 260 universities nearby the world.

University of East London (Uel):

The university of East London has more than 28,000 students over two campuses (And a third one to be opened in 2013). The Uel is also a leader in the field of distance studying and one of the top three providers of e-learning and distance studying programmes in the Uk. Uel offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and it covers the educational fields of: Architecture, Computing and Engineering; education and Communities; Sport and Bioscience; Psychology; Arts and the Digital Industries; Combined Honours.

Rankings and awards:

The research appraisal exercise (Rae) in 2008, rated the University of East London as the 'top contemporary university in London' for research In January 2012, Uel was awarded Iso14001 certification for its environmental management. Uel is among London's leading universities for employability.

University of Greenwich:

The University of Greenwich has nearby 25,000 students in its three campuses, servicing a broad offering of masters and degree programmes, as well as combined degrees allowing various subjects options.

International students in the University of Greenwich:

The school has close to 5,000 international students arriving from over 140 countries, development it a very popular destination for foreign students in London. English language tuition and scholastic withhold is in case,granted to all international students whose first language is not English.

University of Roehampton:

The university has its roots in the 19th century, and it is currently situated on three major sites in south west London. Roehampton has nearby 9,000 students.

The scholastic departments in Roehampton:

• division of Dance

• division of Drama, Theatre and Performance

• division of Education

• division of English and Creative Writing

• division of Humanities

• division of Life Sciences

• division of Media, Culture and Language

• division of Psychology

• division of public Sciences

• Roehampton University firm School

Rankings and awards:

Roehampton University was ranked first in the country for Dance and Biological Anthropology in the 2008 research appraisal exercise (Rae). The University is the top post-92 university in London for students looking employment after they graduate.

International students in Roehampton:

The university has students advent from over 130 countries, taking part in its leading teachings in the fields of arts, dance and carrying out and literature.

University of the Arts London (Ual):

University of the Arts London specializes in the studies of art, design, fashion and media. It has close to 21,000 students participating in over 250 courses at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in increasing to over 350 short courses.

The university is comprised of 6 famous constituent colleges:

• Camberwell College of Arts

• Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design

• Chelsea College of Art and Design

• London College of Communication

• London College of Fashion

• Wimbledon College of Art

University of West London (Thames Valley University)

The university has roots dating back to 1860. It has over 16,000 students attending over 1,400 courses. The courses and Schools of the university are ranked in the top for scholastic achievements in London. The University is very acclaimed for its teachings in these fields: Hospitality, tourism and leisure, music and the performing arts, nursing and allied professions.

Rankings and awards:

In legal figures published by Times Higher education in July 2008, the university had the best graduate employment article against its benchmark in the country, with almost 95% employed within six months of graduating.

International students in the University of West London:

There are over 3,000 foreign students in the University of West London.

University of Westminster:

Established in 1838 as the first polytechnic to open in England and awarded university status in 1992. The University scholastic activities are organised into seven schools accommodating 45 departments and 65 research centres and it provides expert accreditation across disciplines such as Amba, Acca, Bci, Iet, Bcs, etc

Rankings and awards:

In the 2008 research appraisal Exercise, Westminster university was ranked 2nd for Communications, Cultural and Media Studies research and 6th for Art and make research. The university was the Winner of two Queen's Awards for International Enterprise. International students in the University of Westminster: The University of Westminster has more than 5,000 international students advent from over 140 countries. The school provides Award-winning international scholarships and financial withhold for students.

Accommodation in London:

Finding a flat in London might be a tedious task, there are many factors to be determined (proximity to public transportation, utility costs, suitability and security of the area, etc.). Some of the universities in London offer room in dormitories and students houses in their respective campus areas, any way many of the students and expats in London prefer to find a room or an apartment which is settled off campus, that way they can have a more straight through feel of the vivid life style in London. To Find rooms and flats in London, or to meet new flatmates looking to rent out their rooms, visit www.RoomMatesUk.com, which offers all kind of accommodations in London as well as a classifieds section with students jobs in London.

A Guide for Expats and International Students Living and learning in London, Uk

Breathe Deep - Beating Greenhouse Gases Won't Be Easy

The recession does have some positives.

The stalled cheaper reduced interrogate for gasoline and diesel and electric power. Citizen drove less, bought fewer items and used less power as a result. The production of greenhouse gas -- carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases -- peaked in 2007 at 2.752 billion metric tons, dipped to a low of 6.608 billion in 2009 before showing a wee robust "recovery" by increasing to 6.821 billion in 2010, the most up-to-date year for which numbers are available.

London 2012

These and other animated facts can be found in 2012 Greenhouse Gas inventory report issued by the U.S. Environmental security Agency. While that may sound encouraging, a deeper look at the numbers shows that U.S. Consumers, company and government continued to show a prodigious hunger for fossil fuels.

Bad air on the rise

Production of greenhouse gases just from fossil fuel combustion (that's vehicles and stuff like power generation) rose to 5.388 billion metric tons in 2010, a 13.7 percent growth from 1990.

The culprits? Electricity generation accounts for 34 percent, transportation 27 percent and industry 20 percent. The rest comes from agriculture, commercial, residential and other sources. Just for a wee perspective, an median automobile produces 5.2 metric tons of greenhouse gases each year.

This stuff isn't good. In increasing to mucking up the skies, the Epa ruled in 2009 that greenhouses gases are the primary cause of climate change. This leads to higher temperatures and longer heat waves and, among other things, threatens the condition of Americans. Increases in ground-level ozone pollution, which is created by chemical reactions in the middle of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, have been linked to asthma and other respiratory illnesses.

Forecast in the 60s

The information is hardly new. A prediction can be found in the primary Broadway cast recording of "Hair." The song, "Air," is as real now as it was then: "Welcome sulphur dioxide, Hello carbon monoxide. The air, the air is everywhere. Breathe deep, while you sleep, breathe deep." And so on. The lyrics are constantly seared into my brain, courtesy the first report I laid my hands on.

Strange to think that "Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical" debuted off Broadway in October 1967. Seems like yesterday. I'm kidding. Seriously, I tried getting my arts kindly son Calvin, now in his first year at Seattle University, concerned in the soundtrack.

Nothing. No response. Nor did any of my kids seem to get Cheech & Chong. Oh well.

Aiding the cause

The bigger plan is getting them mental about the air. Facts and figures do wee to inspire most people, but add an effective anecdote of how it affects somebody and interest can growth geometrically. We learned this in the newspaper business. A good photo, a great story Citizen can narrate to and a writer and photographer could fill a city council chamber.

But I'm no longer a journalist and this will never appear in newsprint. Still, the axiom holds. I offer up an consideration many in the San Joaquin Valley can narrate to: On sunny hot days in the depths of summer, the skies often look like they've been coated with a fine layer of mud. The views of the Sierra from Valley towns and farms, which were once so crystalline and vibrant, just don't exist. And the air kind of tastes like dirt.

The explication is obvious. We've got to cut the national production of greenhouse gases. The alternative is something I'd rather not contemplate. Sure, we could touch total economic meltdown. For instance, Spain just reported an unemployment rate pushing a quarter of its work force. That's one way. But hardly optimal.

One construction at a time

Another advent has been adopted by many colleges, government agencies and hidden sector organizations. It involves reducing the climate footprint. This can be done relatively painlessly through construction retrofits, practices like benchmarking power use and policies that encourage discount in water and waste as well as electricity.

California Gov. Jerry Brown took the plunge, issuing an menagerial order that state agencies cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 10 percent by 2015 and 20 percent by 2020. The order also said that all new state buildings and major renovations after 2025 be designed and built to meet requirements of net-zero facilities. That means they originate as much power as they use.

Brown's Order also says that as of 2020 half of new facilities should meet the net-zero requirement and that state agencies should make half their existing facilities meet the rule. It also includes reducing water use and adding plug-ins for electric cars and other changes.

"Doing something real about the growing threat of global warming requires more than just new laws. We must lead by example," Brown says in a statement. "Greening the state's buildings will shrink our environmental footprint and save taxpayers millions of dollars."

No new world order

Pursuing climate kindly policies costs money. Not so much when it comes to green buildings but more so when seeing to retire fossil-fuel-burning power plants.

Even the governments of Germany and Japan, which earlier pledged to push all out for green energy, are having problem sticking to their goals. National public Radio's Richard Harris, reporting from a meeting in London of power ministers from colse to the world, says, "It turns out that right now, just about all is conspiring to make it harder to clean up the world's power supply."

Harris reports the International power division warned that nations are nowhere near being on track to avert important climate change. He quotes David Victor at the University of California, San Diego, who says, "What's happened over the industrialized world is the governments are feeling poor these days."

Feed-in tariffs, which supply subsidies to make renewable power competitive, are drying up and other incentives are being lost. The effect has been a contraction of solar and wind fellowships in Europe and the United States. The discount in price of natural gas, a direct effect of hydraulic fracturing tapping new reserves, also has compounded the clean power industry's problems.

The explication is to continue plugging along. Economic pressures will continue. The forecast continues to be in determined territory but disappointing.

So breathe deep, this won't be easy.

Breathe Deep - Beating Greenhouse Gases Won't Be Easy

Sights and Sounds of London

London has become a 24/7 city as it teems with life with its clubs, pubs, theatres and places of interests. It has become a "must see" city - cultural and educational by day, upbeat and global by night. The popular city of "London" technically applies to Greater London. For specifics, the City of London is the square mile financial district of Greater London and is just one of the thirty-three boroughs of Greater London. However, for the rest of the world, London is London.

The city is currently busily preparing for the coming 2012 Summer Olympics. Hotel reservations as early as now are trickling-in in many London hotels within the area. The upcoming Summer Olympics is only one of the many reasons why you should visit London. It is a city steeped with history and rich in culture that a tour of the place is worth your while.

Olympics 2012

The Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace is iconic of London. No London tour will be complete without experiencing the free display of Royal pageantry at the Buckingham Palace, the Royal London residence of the Queen. It is also the seat of the administrative headquarters of the Monarchy. The State rooms, where the Royal family entertains their guests for official functions, are open from the months of August to September. If you are keen on having a closer view of this fine example of Georgian architecture, it's best to book your London accommodations early.

Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament is a sight that should not be missed and can't be missed. The four-faced free standing clock is 150 years old and not everyone knows that the tower has cells for imprisoning Parliament members. Not anymore though as the last recorded case was in 1880.

Pictured in every other London postcard, The Tower Bridge was inaugurated in 1894 and is a sample of both architectural and engineering genius. The bridge is a combination bascule and suspension bridge structure to allow the passage for water vehicles on the River Thames. The two towers of the bridge are not up for purely aesthetic reasons but to counter and balance the horizontal and vertical forces of the whole structure.

Feel free to drop by the Tower of London to take a peek at those Beefeaters! Other spaces and places that you should include in your itinerary is a trip to the British Museum, Madame Tussauds, Trafalgar Square, Tate Gallery of Modern Art, The Victoria and Albert Museum, the National Gallery and the numerous parks and gardens in the area. Don't hesitate to ride the new symbol of London known as the Eye of London!

You should not the miss a trip to any of the famed London markets. There is bound to be a market near your hotel. Covered, outdoor or street market, the concept for these markets had its origins back in the middle ages. A London market experience is a must as wholesale and retail sales of just about any item-foods and good - are available. Some of the more notable markets are: Borough; Covent Garden; Camden; Portobello Road Market (Notting Hill!) and Columbia Road Market.

West End is UK's Broadway. No visit to London would be complete without a West End experience. Currently showing are: Chicago, Oliver! Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies (sequel to Phantom), Stomp, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and more. Restaurant hop and sample the different cuisines that London has to offer. Feel the pulsating beat at Egg, Fabric, Cable Club, The Forum, Cirque and more.

Sights and Sounds of London

The Eco Cab

The black cab has been an iconic seal for London for decades, and the majestic vehicles are a must see when you visit the capital. Cabbies train for years to drive the black cab, and an whole knowledge is needed when taking the driver's seat. Cabbies have a responsibility to their fares, and the London cab driver is well known as the best someone to ask for directions when you get lost.

But the cab is not well known for its green impact on the environment. This has all changed this week though, as the deputy major has unveiled a clever new design, the emission free eco cab! Boris Johnson, London Mayor has already committed London to having emission free taxis by the time we see 2020, and a fleet of the new hydrogen cell taxi cabs should be driving around the capital by the start of 2012, in time for the Olympics.

London 2012

The prototype looks and drives just like a general cab, but is powered by a hydrogen fuel engine system, that's one and only bi product is water.

The car is a clever supervene of the partnership in the middle of three hi tech companies, and is reported to be capable of achieving eighty miles per hour, and had a two hundred and fifty mile range. Could this be the rejoinder to all London's emissions problems? The cab blends into the surroundings, and passengers would be unaware of either they were in an old cab or one of the new hydrogen taxis.

London's deputy mayor, Kit Malthouse, said: ''The black cab is a much loved London icon, but it is also a principal source of pollution especially in the centre of the city. This prototype Fuel Cell black cab, which emits only water from its tailpipe, is an provocative perceive of how hydrogen technology could soon play a vital role in cleaning up air quality for urban dwellers.''

If you are driving in the capital, make sure you have valid Car Insurance.

The Eco Cab