Studying in London is notoriously expensive, but there are many ways to cut back on costs while still making the most out of your time at King’s. Here we’ve provided some tried-and-tested tips to enjoy London life on a budget, with useful links to discounts and deals on things like food, transport and fitness!
Food
You will likely spend most of your funds on feeding yourself. By setting a budget and making smart spending choices, you’ll be able to save more on food than you may initially think!
Bring a packed lunch
As tempting as the restaurants around campus may be, bringing your own packed meal is the easiest way to save money. Invest in an insulated lunchbox, an ice pack and use the microwaves available on all campuses, and you’re good to go!
Grocery shop on a budget
Spending £25-£30 on a food shop per week is possible with a little bit of willpower. Swap for cheaper cuts of meat like chicken thigh over breast or opt for minces with higher fat. Try to avoid pre-packaged ingredients like vegetable mixes or meal kits. Additionally, choosing own brand items for products like seasoning and cooking oil can easily save you a few pounds without compromising on quality.
Shopping in bulk at superstores like Aldi, Lidl and Tesco Extra can also help reduce costs. Plan a trip to these stores once a month to stock up on essentials like toilet paper, rice and canned foods.
Meal prepping
Experimenting with meal-prepping is almost a rite of passage for every university student. If it feels like a hefty task, start small by prepping lunches, then work your way up to breakfast and dinner.
While meal-prepping can take away the decision fatigue of choosing what to eat, it may also mean repetitive meals that you quickly get tired of. Prioritise making a few dishes that you can plate in different assortments rather than making one big batch of the same meal. At the same time, cook meals that can last a while without being in the fridge such as pasta, salads, wraps or grain bowls.
Eating out with discounts
Staying within budget doesn’t mean you have stop eating out all together! Check out our list of student-budget friendly places to eat around campus: Cheap Eats Near Strand Campus and Student Favourites Around London Bridge. Sign up to UniDays and Student Beans for discount codes to nearby cafes like Black Sheep and Leon. Don’t be shy to bring your student ID to restaurants and ask if they give out student discounts!
Prefer to get food to go rather than eat in? Use To Good To Go to buy unsold food restaurants and shops want to get rid of at the end of the day. One TGTG bag of sandwiches can easily cover lunches for an entire week, or get lucky and score a nice dinner for less than £7!
Transport
Try your best to walk when the distance is bearable and you have the time to. However, when you need to take public transport, there is always a way to cut costs. Get an 18+ Oyster card and link it to your 16-25 Railcard to get a 1/3 discount on off-peak tube, Overground and National Rail fares.
Cycling is also an affordable way to commute in London. There are plenty of beginner-friendly cycling routes to explore if cycling in a big city seems intimidating. Check out TfL’s cycling in London guide to find easy routes and use Citymapper’s cycling feature to navigate in real time.
Check out our guide on travelling between campuses to help you gauge how much you’ll be spending on your commute each week.
Fitness
PureGym is a popular choice amongst students as it often offers student discounts such as £0 joining fee (instead of the usual £15) or 30% off a fixed term commitment. Be sure to check out PureGym's website at the start of the academic year when most of their discount codes are active.
Additionally, become a member of a Sports Club at KCLSU for an affordable way to work out and meet new people. From Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, pole dancing to surfing, gain access to trainers and facilities at student-friendly prices.
Alternatively, you can join King’s on campus gym, which gives you access to two gyms at London Bridge and Strand for £23.99 a month.
Free activities
KCLSU has plenty of affordable and even free activities held throughout the year. Friday night karaoke at Guy’s Bar is free and always buzzing, or head to the Vault on Thursdays for their weekly quiz nights. Check out our events page to see what’s going on and buy tickets for Welcome Week and beyond.
On the weekends, there are plenty of ways to leisure around the city for free. Check out renowned museums like the National Gallery and the Victoria and Albert Museum, or discover museums dedicated to quirky niches like the Museum of the Home and the Museum of Brands.
Fancy a night out? Swap out clubs and boujee bars on a Friday night for any Irish pub, and you’ll be sure to find live music and a massive crowd. Or when in doubt, a drink and a snack from home whilst sat by the Thames or Primrose Hill never disappoints.