Living in London is expensive, and if you aren’t careful costs can quickly add up and make money a source of stress and anxiety. Fear not – there’s plenty of ways to save as a student while still taking advantage of all the opportunities in this city.

Student discounts

One of the first things I did before moving to London was create an account on Student Beans and UNiDAYS to take advantage of all the incredible deals available, both online and in-person. With discounts of between 10-20% available, these websites are a great resource to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Outside of these websites, here’s a few more places that offer great discounts.

Wasabi 

Serving hot curries, rice boxes and sushi ready to go, the Wasabi branch in Kingsway is a convenient option for a filling lunch. Make sure to bring your student ID so you can get a 10% discount on all items!

Boots

Sign up for an Advantage Card and present a member of staff with a valid student ID to get a 10% discount on all items. Having an Advantage Card also unlocks exclusive deals and discounts on selected items, both in-store and online.

Superdrug

Show valid student ID to a cashier before checking out and you can get a 10% discount on all items. Getting a Superdrug Health and Beautycard means you can collect points and unlock an additional 10% discount at VIP, access exclusive members-only prices on selected items and get freebies – a great option if you’re a frequent shopper!

Café Nero

Sign up through their app, verify your student email address and enjoy a 20% discount on all coffees. You can also collect virtual stamps through the app with each coffee, and get your 10th drink for free!  
If you want to know more about student deals, read Mina’s blog – Student discounts: making the most of your money in London! 

National Rail

For just £30 a year, you can get a 16-25 railcard that gives you ⅓ off train travel and up to £192 of annual savings. The only requirement is being between 16-25, so if you’re an international student and want to explore more of the UK without paying a fortune for train tickets, the railcard is a great option. You can also link your railcard to an Oyster by asking a member of staff in any tube station, giving you ⅓ off Tube and bus travel at off-peak times. If you need more advice for travel tips and tricks in London, read Magdalena’s blog – Public transport in London – all you need to know. 

Part-time jobs

The LSE CareerHub offers plenty of opportunities for all types of work experience, from casual and part-time work to grad schemes and internships. Keep an eye out for the newsletter for any part-time job openings, and consider applying so you have an extra source of income. Pro tip – I receive all my pay-checks in a separate bank account, so that tracking my earnings and spending is a lot easier. Read Maya’s blog for tips on how and where to secure a part-time job – Where can I find work while studying at LSE? 

Track your spending

Now that you have all the best deals and some extra income from additional work, tracking your spending is important to see where your money’s going and if you can reduce some of your expenses. There’s plenty of resources available online, from simple monthly budget templates on Excel to annual charts and notebooks – find a planner that works for you. An easy way to get started is by looking at your monthly card statements – are there any recurring charges for subscriptions you don’t use anymore? Consider cancelling some or finding a better deal!

Food

Buying food near campus and ordering on Deliveroo or UberEats is incredibly expensive, especially when you look at the service and delivery fees added onto your order. Cooking your own food and bringing food from home is one of the best ways to save money, and there’s microwaves on campus in the Saw Swee Hock Centre and in some undergraduate common rooms.

If you still want to buy food but don’t want to spend as much, some spots like Itsu offer up to 50% discounts half an hour to an hour before closing. Too Good to Go is an app where you can buy a “Surprise Bag” of surplus food from a variety of cafés, bars and restaurants near you, helping you reduce food waste and try something new at a fraction of the price!

Shopping

Aside from student discounts, you can try and buy things second-hand for additional savings, while also reducing waste and consumption. Websites like Vinted, Depop and even Facebook Marketplace are great places to look to find clothes, furniture and everything in between at a fraction of the cost compared to buying new. Take advantage of the many thrift stores and marketplaces in London, like Rokit in Covent Garden and Atika in Spitalfields, where you could find vintage or designer pieces at affordable prices. Read Amirah’s guide to thrifting in London for even more shopping spots.

Use this guide to find great deals, budget and track your spending efficiently, and save money where you can!