Living in the heart of London as an MBA student is a very exciting place to be. With its vibrant culture, global business hub, historic landmarks, array of restaurants and endless opportunities for adventure, London has plenty to offer. Whilst like most major cities, it is not a low-cost place to be, it may not be as expensive as you think it is. With some useful budgeting tips and creativity, you can make the most of your London MBA experience without breaking the bank.

Accommodation

As an MBA student at Bayes, if you apply for accommodation by June then you are guaranteed accommodation. Not only are the student accommodation options a short distance from the school, making your commute easier and cheaper, but they also are a great way to lower the cost of rent and bills in London. Your utility bills, internet and contents insurance are all included in the rent too, giving you less bills to manage!

Find out more in our latest blog regarding student accommodation.

Travel

With so much to explore, you’re bound to want to travel around lots of areas of London to really experience everything this city has to offer. London’s transport system is extensive and with some clever planning, you can travel smarter and save:

● Getting an 18+ Student Oyster Card: Enjoy discounted travel on buses, trains, and the Tube. The 26-30 Railcard, also allows you to save 1/3 on pay as you go off-peak fares and daily caps by adding the Railcard discount to your 18+ photocard to travel on the Tube.

● Using contactless or travelcards: Tap in and out with your debit card for capped daily or weekly fares.

● Electric bikes and scooters: To ride a Lime bike or scooter in London there are two payment options. The first offers a £1 activation fee and charges per minute which is fine for one-off rides, but if you will use it frequently, their LimePass or LimePrime subscriptions are a more cost-effective option.

● Walk: Walking in London is a great way to familiarise yourself with new areas and see the sights!

Food

Eating in London is often thought of as very expensive, and of course there are plenty of gourmet and Michelin starred restaurants around if you’re interested! However, food and shopping in London does not need to be expensive and can in fact be much cheaper than most large cities around the world.

● Street food: Street food is a fantastic way to try different foods and keep costs low. Clifton Food Market and Whitecross Street market is a stone's throw from Bayes Finsbury Square building. Also check out Borough Market, Camden Market and Brick Lane.

● Student-friendly chains: Places like Pret-A-Manger, Caffe Nero, Dominos, McDonald’s, Nandos and Wasabi are often offering student discounts or one-off perks for students. Keep an eye on these to save extra money where you can! Take a look at student discount websites such as Student Beans, UNiDAYS and NUS to see the discounts available to you. You can also see up to date student discount offers on Money Saving Expert.

● Save with apps: Apps such as TooGoodToGo are a great way to enjoy good food at a much lower cost. These apps list restaurants with surplus food offering ‘surprise bags’ so you stop the food going to waste and get it for half price or less!

● Groceries: When it comes to doing your weekly food shopping, current Full-time MBA (2025) student Regina Romero Rivera,  recommends visiting the lower cost supermarkets:

The advantage of London is that there are accessible local shops. I recommend preparing meals at home and shopping at budget friendly supermarkets like ALDI

Activities

London is brimming with ways to keep yourself entertained without breaking the bank! Our MBA student Raul Carballo, Full-time MBA (2025), says that for low-cost activities, sports were a great option available at Bayes:

Sports wise, there are good options at City Sport, also, if you join a society of your interest, there’s many options.

CitySport membership start only at £5.55 per month.

Alongside this there are plenty of free activities in London, from museums and galleries to beautiful outdoor spaces to explore and so many free walking tours too (just be sure you tip the guide at the end!). For art fans, there is also the Student Art Pass, which allows reduced prices on access to lots of galleries, exhibitions and museums.

Many cinemas offer a student discount and for the theatre fans there are often great deals on TodayTix.

London is often less expensive than other main cities around the world. Studying your MBA at Bayes, you can enjoy everything this incredible city has to offer while staying on top of your finances. Remember these tips, enjoy the discounts offered for students and make the most of your MBA experience!