Arcadia England

With exam season upon us, it seems like every desk at the library is taken, and every coffee shop table has a permanent resident. Where can you go to study? If you're sick of your university library, and don’t feel like studying in your room, read on for some suggestions…

The Arcadia London Center

Biased perhaps, but it’s not untrue to say that we have a great study space available to our students, whether you are based at our Center or studying at another British Institution.

With a computer lab, free printing, a student lounge with a fridge, microwave, and comfortable sofas, as well as lots of classroom space, the London Center is a great place to study. 
You can also drop into our Writing Center sessions, which are led by one of our senior faculty members. They will be able to help you with editing your final papers, formulating a thesis, or how to best get your ideas onto paper during an exam. See the poster below for a full list of session times, or you can email one of the faculty for an appointment via Skype.

The British Library, London

Located walking distance from King’s Cross Station and home to millions of books, this is one of the best locations for studying in central London. It’s free to enter, and you can register for a Reading Room pass with online registration, but anyone can use the desks in the main reception.

BFI Reuben Library, London

Located on the Southbank, the BFI is the ideal place for film and media fanatics. It’s free for the public to enter, and there are plenty of resources to keep you entertained, whether you’re there for work or pleasure.

National Art Library at the V&A, London

Placed within one of London’s most famous museums, the National Art Library is a veritable leader if you’re looking for collection of fine and decorative art. Free to register, the library is open to the public and is well placed next to central London’s transport links.

Library of Birmingham, Birmingham

One of the few libraries that is entirely open to the public, this library is a must see for architecture fans. If you’re trying to make the most of your time in the UK and are simultaneously travelling and studying, this may be a good stop on the road.

The Bodleian, Oxford

If you’re already a student at the University of Oxford, you will have access to the Bodleian. For everyone else, you can apply for a Reader pass, and you’ll be able to benefit from the huge pool of resources at this library. It’s not free, but the Bodleian holds some of the most unique manuscripts in existence. If nothing else, it is an extremely beautiful and peaceful place to study.

The Forum, Norwich

The Forum, built to celebrate the Millennium, houses restaurants, cafes, workspaces, archives, the HQ for BBC East, and a library all in one. It’s free to enter but if you want to take out books from the library or use the archives, you’ll need to register. Located very centrally in Norwich town center, there is also plenty to do in the local area once you’ve finished studying.

National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh

Though many resources from this library are also available on their website (for free!) the building itself is full of study spaces, located very centrally in the University quarter. You’ll need a pass, but with so many resources available, going to the trouble of registering may be worth it depending on your paper topic.

Where are your favourite study spots? Is there a cafe near your accommodation which provides both comfy seats and the perfect caffeine hit?