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Life in London (on a BUDGET!)

Posted on June 8, 2018 by Shivani Saboo
Cass Business School, Postgraduate , , , , , .

London is assumed to be the most expensive city in the UK. Although I can’t deny that it can be expensive, the limit to which you spend entirely depends on you. I was very worried about not being able to control my expenses, but now after spending a year in London I can safely say it is possible and quite simple.

Here are a few tips and suggestions to help control your expenditure!

  1. Student Oyster Card
    If you need to use the tube or bus every single day, definitely get one of the student plans. For me, my accommodation is within walking distance of the university, therefore the “pay-as-you-go” option works out to be cheaper for me. Work out which works better for you. If you opt for a Travelcard, as a student you can get a 30% discount off adult rates. You can find more information here on the Transport for London website!
  2. 16 – 25 Rail Card
    If you plan to visit different places within the UK, this card is a real boon. It gives you 1/3 off of rail fares. I would totally recommend this for an international student intending to visit the various treasures of this country! Please find more information here.
  3. Linking of the above-mentioned cards
    Sadly, I did not know about this feature until last month. Linking the student Oyster card and rail card can lead to further discounted rates. You can take your cards to any main station and ask at the desk to get the cards linked. It only takes about a minute!
  4. UNiDAYS student discount
    Who doesn’t love to shop and eat good food? Since you are a student, you are eligible for a UNiDAYS student discount on items ranging from fashion, beauty, food and technology. Just register and then enjoy the many discounts on offer! Please find more information here.
  5. Sky Garden
    London can safely boast of having one of the best skylines in the world! It has many iconic structures, like Tower Bridge, the Gherkin, BT Tower and The Shard to name just a few! The Sky Garden is one such structure from where you can see the entire London skyline for FREE! No, I am not kidding! I absolutely love going there. Plan your visit in advance and book yourself a slot since it tends to be all booked out quite quickly. You can book using this link.

If you end up using any of these suggestions, let me know by commenting below!

Living the life of a Londoner

Posted on June 4, 2018 by Brooke Mcneil
The City Law School, Undergraduate , , , , .

Life in London is very fast-paced, with a high density of people commuting into the city during the working week. I have noticed many places around my accommodation, near Farringdon Underground Station, which are closed on Saturday and Sunday due to a reduced population on the weekend. However, the nightlife in London is very busy, with many people lining the streets around pubs after work to have a drink. Clubs like Fabric, Tiger Tiger and XOYO are busy at night, especially when they have student nights with discounts. The Alchemist is worth a mention, as it is a very popular cocktail bar that becomes busy at night with their fascinating ways of making drinks like chemists.

Here is my list of the top 10 things to do in London:

1. Visit “The Making of Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour” – but keep in mind that tickets must be purchased in advance! It takes about three hours to walk through and is located just outside of London, in Watford. It’s a must-see if you are a big Harry Potter fan!

2. For a law student, you can visit legal institutions such as the Houses of Parliament or the Supreme Court. You can even observe cases in the Supreme Court when the court is sitting.

3. Go see a musical in the famous West End, such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” or “Book of Mormon”. You can often find tickets reduced at a discount for students.

4. Visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park at Christmastime!

5. Go to an Arsenal football game to feel the excitement of one of the major sporting events in the UK.

6. Go on a ghost tour! There are several around London and they are a great (and spooky) way to learn about the history of this city.

7. Visit major iconic areas of London such as Piccadilly Circus, Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square. Free to walk around, with great photo opportunities.

8. Take advantage of all the free museums!

9. Visit Westfield London, one of the UK’s major shopping centres. Free (unless you plan to max out your credit card!)

10. Walk around Camden Market and try the various food vendors, or try punting on the river!

Hopefully something on this list will catch your eye! If not, there are still plenty of other things to do in London that will surely provide you with an amazing experience.

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