London on a student budget
London can be expensive, but it’s thriving student community of over 425,000 means there are plenty of ways to enjoy everything the city offers without overspending. Below are some of our top tips for managing your finances as a student in London.
Museums & galleries
Did you know that London’s public museums and galleries are free to visit? Most of London’s major museums – as well as many of its smaller institutions and every commercial gallery – are free to enter, so you can experience world-class art and artefacts without having to dip into your wallet. From the Tate to Gagosian, the National Gallery to Camden Art Centre, you’ve got your choice of literally hundreds of amazing art spaces, all free. Want to see masterpieces by Raphael and Turner, or contemporary abstraction by future art stars? You can, and you don’t have to pay.
Parks and open spaces
Our Student Support Team can assist with various financial questions or concerns you might experience during your time at university, including:
- Help understanding and liaising with the student loan companies.
- Assistance for international students in setting up a U.K. bank account.
- Additional support for independent, care-experienced, or estranged students.
- Guidance on budgeting and saving money
- Access to our student hardship fund during a monetary crisis
- Book a student money advice appointment.
Northeastern University London Bursary
London is one of the greenest cities in the world and is made of 40% public green space. The centrepieces of London’s parks are the eight Royal Parks of London. Covering 4,882 acres, they are former royal hunting grounds which are now open to the public. The city’s parks are full of natural and manmade wonders that you can enjoy as you wander around.
Student discounts
Make sure you check out the free apps UNiDAYS and StudentBeans which offer amazing student discounts on food & drink, fashion, tech, beauty, lifestyle, health and fitness as well as travel and entertainment. You can also get an NUS-extra card (TOTUM) costing £14.99 annually (or £24.99 for 3 years). All of these offer attractive discounts available in-store and online. With or without these, it’s always worth asking at the till if somewhere offers a student discount.
Discounted food
For students on a tight budget in London, Too Good To Go is a must-have app. It’s a useful tool for discovering affordable dining options. By the end of the day, vendors with excess food sell everything at discounted prices on the app, avoiding food waste. You’ll discover incredible deals and effortlessly keep track of your favourite places right on your phone.
Eating out, days out and events
Make sure you are tapped into the apps below to find plenty of ideas for free and cheap places to visit in London.
- Find endless ideas for free and discounted things to do at Time Out London
- Secret London offers a list of 142 free things to do in London
- Get cheap last minute theatre tickets on TodayTix
- Utilise Save the Student’s budgeting resources.
Monthly costs and money saving tips
Accommodation £500 – £1800 per month.
- Live outside of Zones 1 & 2 to reduce the cost of renting a home.
- Buddy up with friends and share a flat to reduce individual rental costs.
- Apply for your Council Tax exemption if you are a full-time student.
Utility bills £120 – £200 per month
- Wash your clothes at 30 degrees to save energy.
- Turn off your lights and technology when you are not using it.
- Put on a jumper! Turning your thermostat down by 1 degree Celsius can save up to £80 a year.
Groceries £200 – £400 per month
- Shop at budget-friendly supermarkets such as Lidl, Aldi, and Asda.
- Sign up for a supermarket loyalty scheme like Asda Rewards, Lidl Plus, Tesco Clubcard, or Nectar.
- Cook in batches and organise a cooking rota with friends; cooking for seven people once a week is much cheaper than cooking for yourself every day.
- Use a reusable travel mug to save on food and drink costs.
Travel and transportation £30 to £100 per month
- Apply for a Transport for London 18+ Student Oyster photocard.
- Get a national railcard for discounts on train tickets; if you are 31+ and enrolled on a full-time programme of study you can apply as a mature student for a 16-25 railcard.
Health and wellbeing
- Look into the NHS Low Income Scheme for help with prescription and dental costs.
- Monthly cost estimates were last updated in October 2025.
Northeastern University London is a charity
registered with the Charity Commission for
England and Wales (charity number 1189858).
Location
Devon House
58 St Katharine’s Way
London E1W 1LP, UK
+44 20 7637 4550
Northeastern University London is part of a global system, linking 13 campuses across the U.K., U.S., and Canada. Learn more about how our network serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.
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