The essential money saving hacks students in London need to know

There are plenty of options for students in London to enjoy city life and keep costs down
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It’s no secret that London is an expensive place to live, particularly if you are a student.

Pandemic life for students has been especially challenging, having spent the majority of their formative years in lockdown, and paying full tuition fees for online lectures.

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However this academic year is looking a little brighter, with clubs reopened and lectures at most universities returning to a mixed format of online and in-person sessions.

As students in London begin to return to university, we have compiled a few money saving hacks to make student life in the capital a little more affordable and enjoyable.

Travel smart

There are plenty of options for travelling around the city; cycling, buses, tubes, trains, shared cars and taxis. To cut down on travel costs linking your 18ᐩ Oyster Card and 16-25 or 26 to 30 Railcard will get you a 30 percent discount on rail and tube travel.

For those who are brave enough, cycling is the cheapest and most environmentally friendly way to get around the city. There are several second-hand bike shops and rental bikes dotted around the city. If you become a member of Santander cycle you can rent a bike for just £2 a day.

Get those student discounts

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Luckily for students, discounts are in abundance, Unidays and Student Beans offer hundreds of reduced prices across hundreds of shops and brands.

Students Unions aren’t only a great way to meet new people, they also offer discounted events, food and beverages.

Now that nightclubs are open again, there are plenty of student nights to enjoy, so you can enjoy London’s bustling night scene at an affordable price. The Young Barbican also offers free and discounted tickets for 14-25 year olds, while the National Theatre also offers 16-25 year olds tickets for £5 and £10, so students can get their cultural fix on the cheap. 

Make the most of discounts

Eating out in London may not seem accessible on a student budget, but there are plenty of apps out there that allow you to get cheaper takeaways and eat out for a fraction of the price.

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Too Good To Go offers discounts on food from cafes, restaurants, hotels and shops that would be otherwise thrown out at the end of the day. Saving money and tackling food waste, what’s not to love?

Make sure you get yourself a TasteCard or DineCard to save up to 50 percent from restaurants such as Prezzos, Cafe Rouge and Zizzi’s.

Learn to cook

Work out a weekly budget and stick to it. Banks like Monzo and Revolut have handy budgeting features to help you save your pennies.

Learn how to cook! There are plenty of cheap and healthy recipes online and if you shop in budget stores like Lidl or Aldi you will be able to save your money for that big night out or new item of clothing.

Enjoy London’s free events

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One of the most wonderful things about living in London is the number of free cultural activities and events on our doorsteps.

Newcomers to the capital will be delighted to know that most of the major museums and galleries in the city are free to enter.

These include the British Museum, the National Gallery, the Tate Britain and Modern and the Natural History Museum.

First Thursdays is a term you should familiarize yourself with. Over 150 East London galleries offer free events, exhibitions, talks, workshops and private viewings on the first Thursday of every month. An evening to mark in your calendars.

London is also filled with beautiful parks, which can be enjoyed for free. If study stress is getting too much, a walk around Hyde Park or Kensington Gardens should help clear your head.