Studying in London

Explore The Capital On A Budget

So, you are interested in studying in London but are worried it may be a bit to expensive? Then  fear not

Bored of the library or hanging out in the student union? Then hit the streets of London and explore this initially intimidating city. The crowds, the buses, bikes, the tube and the general mayhem can seem like a strange world which can be only navigated on a large income. Yes, it is expensive, prices being driven up by tourists and the Queen but London holds many treasures for those looking for entertainment on a student budget. And it’s all just around the corner…

Whether your perfect day out is shopping or stretching your mind, London has both to offer. A whole day can be spent snooping around Portabello market in Notting Hill in West London or Spittlefields market in East London, which tends to be cheaper. Both offer a selection of snacks, brick-a-brack, jewellery, clothes and a buzzy atmosphere but be prepared for big crowds and not a lot of elbow room.

If you’re looking for cheap CDs and books, check out Fopp in Covent Garden where CDs start at £5 and books at £3. This place makes for great browsing, but it’s easy to get carried away! If you prefer books with a bit more ware and tare, check out the second hand book market by the Thames. This is open every day and can be found underneath Waterloo Bridge, on the South side of the river.

It’s important to keep up with the latest trends but haircuts can be ridiculously expensive. No need to splash out on a pricey chop – Hairy By Fairy (8-10 Neal’s yard
Covent Garden) offers haircuts for just £12 and they’re super quick and trendy. There is also a tattoo and piercing parlour upstairs for the more adventurous types. 

If you prefer to spend the day acquainting yourself with London’s cultural side, then The National Gallery is a must. It is in Trafalgar Square so it is hard to miss. Inside, you will find the famous Van Gogh’s Sunflowers and many works by Monet and Renoir. And it’s free! For modern art, cross the river to Tate Modern, the huge disused power station in the South Bank. There you will find the newest and most extreme takes on art, from Picasso to Warhol, just don’t mistake the fire hydrant for an art piece!
 
When hunger strikes, check out Food for Thought (31 Neal Street, Covent Garden, WC2H 9PR). This is a no-frills veggie restaurant which servers cheap and cheerful meals which fill you up nicely. If you are in a meaty mood, then head to Brazil By Kilo (17 Oxford St W1D 2DJ) It is a ‘you weigh, you pay’ Brazilian establishment where you weigh the food that you put on your plate – so you pay for what you get and nothing extra. Just Falafs (27b Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 8RD) does some of the best falafels in town. They’re fresh, flavourful and light – and best of all, they come so tightly wrapped in Middle Eastern flatbreads that there is no leaky sauce and no expensive dry-cleaning bills.

Future politicians and public speakers should stop off at “Speakers Corner". It is a little nook in Hyde Park, adjacent to the Marble Arch, where an often strangely assorted collection of speakers demonstrate the merits of free speech and discussion. Anyone can join in and express their views on anything from cheese strings to world peace. This is a great place to practice your oratory skills.

In the evening, if you’re stuck for things to do then check out the Prince Charles cinema (7 Leicester Place, Leicester Square) which is always showing indie films and £1 will guarantee you entry on a Friday. Alternatively head to The Scoop by London Bridge, a small amphitheatre where films are free in the summer. Free gigs are harder to come by in the evenings, but keep an eye out for signings and releases where bands play for free in the basement of HMV and Virgin Megastore in Oxford Street and you can get the band to sign their brand new single or your tattered copy of NME.

The National Theatre has been working hard to regain young people’s interest in the theatre and tickets are available for £10, showing classics and new plays by up and coming playwrights. If you prefer more earthy theatre, check out the 19th century historic King’s Head pub in Highbury and Islington. This is not just a great pub, but an atmospheric theatre where comedy and plays are put on on a regular basis.

Speaking of pubs, the cheap and cheerful kind is the poor students’ friend. The chain of Samuel Smiths pubs is the cheapest and the friendliest. They are dotted strategically around London. The most convenient are The Lyceum Tavern on the Strand, the Chandos in Trafalgar Square and The Crown in Tottenham Court Road. Decked out as old men pubs, they offer a welcome respite from a day spent wandering around town.

So even if you’re on a tight budget, there is always something to do in London. You don’t need to splash the cash to have fun: all you need is a nose for a bargain and the courage to try something new.