Making a budget-friendly student life possible

There’s no denying that living in London can come with an expensive price tag. With unrivalled shopping, tempting restaurants and diverse experiences to immerse yourself in, it can be easy to get carried away.  

That’s why it’s a good idea to manage your finances carefully by setting a monthly budget and following a few simple rules to keep costs down. That way, you can still enjoy living in one of the world’s most exciting and diverse cities, without landing yourself in debt. 

Here’s how to live a budget-friendly student life in London, without sacrificing the experiences you’ll remember forever.  

One of the best things about being a student in London is having access to a wide range of discounts on everything from food and entertainment, to travel and clothes. 

Discount Apps

Many shops, pubs and restaurants near universities offer money off when you show your Student ID. To get even more discounts, sign up for one or more of the following: 

• Student Beans offers discounts from some of your favourite shops, including ASOS and Boots, as well as daily deals on experiences 

• UNiDAYS provides free student discounts on more than 800 brands, including a daily food fix 

• TOTUM has discounts on food, drink, tech and health and fitness, as well as high street fashion brands. 

Cheaper travel

Save 30% on adult-rate travel cards with Transport for London’s 18+ student Oyster photocard. Fancy getting out of the city for the day? The 16-25 Railcard will save you 1/3 on train travel across the UK. 

An easy way to save money is to cut down on eating out, by planning and preparing your own meals at home. Plus – you can expand your cookery skills by trying out new recipes and sharing them with your friends and housemates. 

Plan your meals

Write a budget-friendly meal plan and grocery list for the week ahead, only buying what you need for each meal. This not only makes supermarket shopping quicker and easier, it helps to avoid food waste. 

Budget supermarkets

Aldi and Lidl hold the crown for the cheapest UK supermarkets. Just don’t get distracted by the middle aisle. 

Eat together

Buying in bulk is often cheaper than meals for one, so try to cook for your housemates, taking it in turns to share your favourite recipes from home. Whoever doesn’t cook gets to wash up.

Cook from scratch

Avoiding pre-made sauces and ready-meals is not only healthier but good for your wallet too. Budget-friendly dishes like lentil curry, stir-fried rice and spaghetti bolognese are quick and easy to make. 

London is awash with free attractions and events, meaning you can experience the best of the city’s history, culture, music and entertainment without breaking the bank.  

Museums and galleries

Most of London’s best museums and art galleries are free to enter, including the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, Imperial War Museum, the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery and the British Museum. 

Parks and green spaces

London has an abundance of wide open greens and landscaped gardens, perfect for whiling away a summer’s afternoon or stretching your legs. Stroll through Regent’s Park’s rose gardens, take a dip in one of Hampstead Heath’s swimming ponds, or try out the pedalos on Battersea Park’s boating lake.

Cheap events

No matter where in London you live, there’s always something happening – and it’s often free. From annual celebrations like London Pride and Notting Hill Carnival, to free screenings of major sports events, there’s something for everyone. Keep an eye on listings websites like Time Out and the Londonist to find out what’s on near you.

Campus events

Make the most of UWS London’s calendar of free community events, from guest speakers and networking nights to health and wellbeing workshops and screenings.  

New doesn’t always equal better, especially when living a student life in London on a budget. By getting to love preloved books, clothes and tech you can save yourself a small fortune – while doing your bit for the planet.

Textbooks

Keep an eye on university notice boards for second-hand book sales or students giving away used textbooks. Online marketplaces like Abebooks, eBay and Amazon are also a good place to start. 

Charity shops

Your local charity shop could be a treasure trove of second-hand gems, from clothes and books to homeware.

Apps and online marketplaces

The latest fashion doesn’t have to be unaffordable. Apps like Vinted and Depop are a great way to refresh your wardrobe, allowing you to buy and sell clothes, shoes and accessories. While Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor are perfect for furniture and electronics.  

Discounted tech

Need a new phone or laptop? Opt for a fully-tested, refurbished model from Back Market or musicMagpie. 

London’s vast public transport system is one of the most expensive in the world. Save some money on getting from A to B by choosing the cheapest time and way to travel.  

Travel off-peak

It costs more to travel at the busiest times. Save money by avoiding travelling from 6.30 – 9.30am and from 5 – 7pm. For the cheapest fares, pay as you go by using contactless payment and TfL will cap your daily or weekly spend. And don’t forget, get the 18+ student Oyster for 30% off. 

Go by bus

Want to see more of the city and travel for less? In London, it’s cheaper to take the bus than the tube. And the Hopper fare allows you make unlimited bus and tram journeys within one hour of first touching in. 

Use your own steam

Skip the traffic and save money. Walking costs nothing and in busy parts of London, is often quicker than using public transport. Alternatively, choose two wheels and burn some calories by hiring a Santander Cycle, costing just £1.65 for 30 minutes.

Living a student life in London on a budget is not just easy, it’s fun too and an opportunity to discover some of the best parts of our city. By taking advantage of the many student discounts and free events on offer, cooking your own meals and embracing a second-hand lifestyle, you can live student life to the full, without damaging your finances.