Make the Most of Your University Experience in London!
University life is more than just lectures and exams—it’s about making unforgettable memories and taking advantage of all the opportunities around you. As a student in London, you have access to so many student perks! To help you navigate these, we’ve curated a comprehensive list just for you. Dive in and discover how you can save while you enjoy everything this vibrant city has to offer!
1️⃣ Battersea Power Station
Shopping, food, drink, an outdoor cinema – this place has everything. Why not hop on the Uber Boat and see London’s famous attractions? It goes all the way to Greenwich! Plus, Battersea Park is just a short walk from the Power Station, offering a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or a day out.
Image credit: Alberto Pascual, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA
2️⃣ Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre offers a diverse array of events, including jazz, reggae, theatre shows, and performances every week, for free! The National Theatre offers tickets under £10 for 16-25 year olds. After enjoying a show, you can take a leisurely stroll along the Thames, where you’ll find a lively skatepark perfect for watching skaters in action or even trying it out yourself.
Image credit: David Lally, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
3️⃣ Thorpe Park
Thorpe Park is a fantastic destination for students, especially since they offer discounted student tickets. Please note that Thorpe Park closes on November 3rd and reopens in March. In the meantime, you can enjoy Winter Wonderland, which is open throughout the winter season. However, be aware that food at Winter Wonderland can be quite expensive, so we recommend eating beforehand.
Image credit: Suntooth, Unsplash
4️⃣Shopping
It’s best to avoid Oxford Street (coming from a Londoner, there’s lots of pickpockets and it’s always crowded!). If you want to go shopping, head over to Westfield Shopping Mall (White City), which also has a cinema VUE, restaurants, a gym and almost every shop you can find in London. Other places nearby campus include: High Street Kensington, Sloane Square, Battersea Power Station and Regents Street.
Image credit: Chmee2, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
5️⃣ Day trips from London
There are plenty of fantastic day trips from London to explore! With a railcard, you can enjoy discounted travel tickets. For instance, you can visit Bath, famous for its stunning Roman Baths and as a filming location for many scenes from Bridgerton. It’s also the birthplace of the beloved author Jane Austen. Or, head to Oxford, where you can explore the historic Bodleian Library and tour the colleges that inspired the Harry Potter films. Other easy-to-get-to locations: Kent, Cambridge, Brighton.
Image credit: Pedro Szekely, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
6️⃣ Royal Ballet, Opera, Theatre, Musicals and more!
The Royal Ballet and Opera offer Friday Rush, a chance to get last-minute tickets for performances at a range of prices, even for sold-out shows! These tickets are released every Friday at 1 PM and include options for Main Stage performances in the following week. For West End enthusiasts, join Imperial ArtSoc to see iconic shows like Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera for just half the price!
Image credit: Michael Alfonso, Unsplash
7️⃣ London’s best markets!
London has so many markets to suit every interest! For food, visit Borough Market, where you’ll find a wide array of culinary delights, or head to Seven Dials to try Oshpaz’s delicious Uzbek cuisine. If you’re into vintage fashion, explore Brick Lane and don’t miss Beigel Bake for the best salt beef bagels in the city. Plant-lovers should check out the vibrant Columbia Road Flower Market. Finally, for a taste of everything, visit the iconic Portobello Market, renowned for its antiques, unique fashion, and street food. The list goes on… In fact, there’s probably a market in every local area, so keep an eye out and discover your new favorite spots!
Image credit: David Iliff, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA
8️⃣ Nightclubs
Some of the best student clubs include: Ministry of Sound, Embargo Republica, Fabric and HEAVEN. Check out E1 and Drumsheds (techno), Ronnie Scotts (jazz), and for more visit The Nudge or Fatsoma to see what’s on.
Where not to go: Tiger Tiger (you’ve been warned). Make sure to go with a group of friends, turn on your Snap Maps/Location, tell someone where you are going and stay safe!
Image credit: Nereid Ndreu, Unsplash
9️⃣ Art Galleries
Don’t miss London’s vibrant art galleries! Start with The National Gallery for classic masterpieces and explore Tate Modern and Tate Britain for contemporary and British art. Serpentine Galleries (near campus) and Saatchi Gallery showcase cutting-edge exhibitions, while Somerset House, Guildhall Art Gallery, and the Royal Academy of Arts offer a mix of history and modernity. There are also countless hidden gems waiting to be discovered across the city!
Image credit: Ste Cook, CC BY-SA
🔟 Places around campus
Make sure to visit the V&A which regularly puts on events and new exhibitions. The Natural History Museum and the Science Museum are just around the corner! If you’re looking for a green escape, Hyde Park is the closest, but a 20-minute walk towards High Street Kensington will lead you to the stunning Holland Park, where you can stroll through the Kyoto Garden and spot peacocks. Right next door is the Design Museum, showcasing a variety of exhibitions, including the must-see Barbie exhibition running until February 2025!
Image credit: Ste Cook, CC BY-SA
And don’t forget, your university!
Imperial itself offers many great ways to unwind and relax. You can find anything on campus, from pilates classes, lunchtime concerts and even a sauna!
Click here to see some of local discounts offered around South Kensington and White City.
Image credit: Thomas Angus, Imperial College London
Useful Apps for Students!
There’s plenty of discounts for students so make sure to download these apps and enjoy all the best London has to offer!
Too Good to Go – A marketplace for surplus food – rescue tasty treats from going to waste from bakeries, cafes and restaurants for a fraction of the prices – environmentally and budget friendly! Your bag is almost always a surprise and will often give you enough food for multiple meals.
Tfl Go – The most useful app for using the underground, Tfl Go lets you see live updates on all lines with timetables, delays, diversions, closures, and alternate routes.
City Mapper – one of the best apps to plan your route around London!
UNIDAYS – Get student discount codes in-store and online, at shops like Nike, Adidas, Rymans stationary and more! Top tip! You can buy an Apple I-pad at a discounted price + receive a £80 gift card to essentially get a free pen or spend on other products! Hurry though, because usually the offer ends after term 1 (*subject to change, make sure to check).
Studentbeans – similar to UNIDAYS, offers a range of discounts from many of your favourite stores like KFC, ASOS, Gymshark, cinemas, theme parks and even a 6-month free Amazon Prime trial (offered on UNIDAYS as well)!
A hidden gem for all the maccies lovers! Many people don’t know this – next time you get something from McDonald’s make sure to save your receipt. Type up the link on the receipt, fill in a quick survey and get a meal for just £2.99 next time you go!
Class Pass – if you don’t feel like taking classes on campus or live further away, sign up to a free trial at Class Pass! You get credits to spend on 4-5 classes at London’s most exclusive gyms, such as 1Rebel, SoulCycle, Barry’s, etc. They offer everything from DJ spin classes, pilates, martial arts, barre and so much more!
Keep and eye out on Save The Student – this website is full of student deals (including ways to get freebies!)