When you're a student in London, student budgeting, the practice of tracking and limiting spending to live within your income as a student. Also known as living on a student allowance, it's not about being cheap—it's about staying sane in one of the most expensive cities in the world. You don’t need a finance degree to make it work. You just need to know where your money actually goes—and where you can cut back without giving up the things that matter.
Most students in London spend the biggest chunk on housing, the cost of renting a room or flat in the city, often the single largest monthly expense. A room in Zone 2 can eat up half your loan before you even step out the door. Then there’s transport, the daily cost of getting around on the Tube, bus, or DLR, which adds up fast if you’re not using a student Oyster card. And let’s not forget food, what you eat daily, from supermarket staples to last-minute takeaway. But here’s the thing: you don’t have to eat ramen every night or walk 10 miles to save cash. Real students in London eat well, get around easily, and still have cash left over—not because they’re rich, but because they know the hacks.
The posts below show you exactly how. You’ll find where to grab a full vegan meal for under £5, how to get a refund when TfL overcharges you, and which hidden markets serve the best cheap eats that locals swear by. You’ll see how people live on a tight budget without losing their sanity—or their taste for good food, music, and culture. No theory. No fluff. Just real strategies from people who’ve been there, done that, and still have a little left in their wallet.
Learn the real cost of living as a student in London in 2025, including rent, food, and transport. Get practical budgeting tips to survive on a student income without sacrificing essentials.