How to Live on a Budget as a Student in London

4 min read

Dec 22, 2022

London is a dream city for many students and working professionals. You will find people from all backgrounds and walks of life living in London simply because of the opportunity the city provides. With great universities, multinational companies, and startups, London is the 15th most expensive city in the world. 

Despite the high cost of living, it’s the go-to destination for students, given the presence of world-class universities, courses, and student housing options. The restaurants, nightlife, places to visit, connectivity to the rest of the world, and job opportunities prove to be a high selling point for London as a study abroad destination.

To live like a true London-er and make the best out of your student life in London, here are some tips for living on a budget in London.

Use Public Transport—Or Walk It!

The first solution you might hear from everyone around you is to use the tube! Luckily, the underground train system or the London Tube is very well connected to all parts of the city and will get you to where you want to be. You can also use the Oyster Card, a convenient and cheaper way of payment for public transport. Another way of getting around in London is to walk around! It is sustainable, and London offers fantastic walkways and scenic views to accompany you on your journey.

Choose Affordable Accommodation

London has various accommodation options, and student accommodation is the first thing that may cross your mind as a student in London. Lucky for you, there are many options, like IQ Highbury, IQ Weaver Place, and plenty of other Amber student housing options for students in the UK. Choose your priorities and research what you need in terms of location, proximity to everyday essentials, and overall space you may require to stay. This way, you will have options that suit your needs and your accommodation budget. 

Look for Free Entertainment 

London is filled with museums, parks, and trails to discover during your free time. Most of these sites are free of cost, and you can indulge yourself in London’s rich art and history. Most galleries and museums in London do not require you to pay any entry fee, and the ones that do may have student discounts. You can also visit parks and picnic with your friends on sunny days. To save up on food and drinks, you should check out nightlife spots with happy hours before you hit the town!

Ask for Student Discounts 

Students in London can avail of student discounts on numerous services like gyms, theatres, cafes, restaurants, and museums. Always carry your student ID card with you, and ask for student discounts everywhere! You can also find many websites that provide student discounts on online services, like Spotify, Netflix, and Apple Music. 

Take up part-time jobs in London.

London has numerous opportunities for students to explore; from startups to offbeat jobs that you can apply in to make some extra money working part-time. This will help broaden your CV too! You can work 15 hours a week as a student in your industry, or you can also choose to work in cafes and restaurants as a server or barista. There are also many offbeat jobs like pet psychologists, tea testers, and food tasters that you can also choose from and tap into your creative side.

Budget it out!

Keep track of your spending by budgeting your money, so you’ll save more than you spend. Every student needs to learn how to budget as it is a skill that will come in handy in the future. Establish your income and spending habits, and cut down on more expensive and nonessential outgoings. Calculate your daily expenses and make habit changes like switching from eating takeout to cooking at home. You can find budgeting apps online where you can enter your costs and get information about how you can save. 


Amber and you: AmberStudent is an online student accommodation that helps you secure a home of choice on your study abroad journey. Having served 80 million students (and counting), AmberStudent is your one-stop shop for all your accommodation needs, with great choices for student housing in London. Amber helps with assistance, booking, and price match guarantees! Check out their Facebook and Instagram and stay connected!

Author’s Bio: Madhura Ballal plays many roles – a cat person, a food lover, an avid marketer, and a postgraduate from the National University of Singapore. You can find her painting, doing yoga, and spending time with her friends when she’s not playing one of the most critical roles that she has taken on- writing.

 

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