Coming to UWL may be your first time in London, even if it’s not, studying in a place you don’t live may feel daunting but fear not, with about 400,000 students and the title of best student city in the world, I’m sure you’ll fit in. Our guide will help you head out, dig out the discounts and discover exciting places to visit in every corner of this vibrant city!
If you don’t have Citymapper, why not?
It’s the best app for getting you around the city with live transport options between locations listed (the timing of bus and tube arrivals is real-time and it’ll tell you the best way to avoid transport disruptions, especially useful on strike days- make sure to leave extra time anyway). It’s also really convenient with options to add your accommodation and uni address so you can navigate to or from them with just one click, especially handy in the mornings for night owls like me or after a night out.
Get around for a discounted price
In order to explore all the amazing things this city has to offer (while completing your degree of course, that’s why you’re here) you’re going have to do a lot of travelling. There are various ways of travelling for a discount such as the 18+ Student Oyster Photocard which can get you around 30% off travel.
An obvious point but one not to forget, use your student discounts everywhere, they’re applicable in most places from clothes shops to cinemas to restaurants.
There are several ways to find them but UNiDAYS and StudentBeans are my go-tos. In some places all it takes is asking, my friend and I got a discount at Byron once simply by asking.
Tune in for the tube
Before travelling on the tube, most of which is underground, make sure you download music or podcasts to pass the time, especially if on a long journey (you could pack a book instead)
Expensive or Free?
People will tell you living in London is expensive and it is but no other place has as many free things to do as London, check out this list of 200! Being a lover of art, I love that galleries and museums are free to enter unlike most on the continent (Europe).
Read over 170 million items for free
Whether to help your studies (the UWL library is pretty comprehensive though) or just for some leisurely reading, becoming a Reader at the British Library is free and the reading rooms are silent so you won’t have to worry about that annoying flatmate of yours when you’re trying to complete assignments or just catch a bit of quiet alone time
Taste home
If you’re an international student, one way to tackle homesickness is through food. Non-UK born Londoners have compiled this guide to London’s best international restaurants. Don't forget to ask for your student discount.
By Ahana Ogle
About the Writer: Ahana Ogle is a Nutrition and Food Management with Foundation Year student that enjoys the vibrancy of London living, trying different cuisines and visiting museums and art galleries.