A Money Mentor's guide to food, fun and culture on a budget

London may be known as an expensive city to live in, but one of the perks of being a student is that your student ID card gives you access to a range of discounts and free activities. King's Student Money Mentor Hope walks you through some of the places where you can get great student offers on food, fun and culture on and around campus.

Food

Having a food budget doesn’t have to mean missing out. Here are a few ways to help your money (and meals) go further:

King’s Food 50@50

King’s Food outlets slash prices by 50% near closing time, so make sure to look for these red stickers marking a quick bargain. Another tip is to pay for your coffee on Upay and you’ll get your 10^th coffee free.

King’s Moves

Join King’s Moves and earn points for being active to unlock free treats. Rewards include a coffee or cake from King’s Food, as well as King’s Sport merchandise. Remember to bring your keep-cup, or you’ll be charged 30p.

Cheap eats

UniDays, StudentBeans and TOTUM give you access to discounted prices at lots of popular restaurants. Nearby options include Bella Italia Covent Garden (30% off Sunday-Thursday), Wagamama Southbank (20% off Sunday-Thursday) and The Real Greek Bankside (25% off Sunday-Thursday).

Skip the takeaway, enjoy the greenspace

Cooking at home, and with friends, is cheaper (and healthier). Pack your lunch and enjoy it in one of King's green spots like outside the Strand Chapel or by Hodgkin’s at Guy’s Campus.

Fun

There are so many free things to do near campus with friends if you know where to look.

Join a club or society

King’s has over 300 clubs and societies and many are completely free to join. So, what are you waiting for? Join one! You’ll get friends, food, and fun for free.

I’ve joined several clubs, including KCL Runners, which hosts a weekly friendly 5k run, KCL CU, which offers free food at their events, and KCL GeogSoc, which provides free food, networking events, and LinkedIn headshots.

But, whatever you like there’s something here for you at King’s.

Follow King’s social media accounts

Lots of societies and departments post about free events and activities happening near and on campus. For example, KCL Geography recently shared a post on free things to do near campus in different weather.

Social sport

If you're staying in King's Residences, then you have access to the Resi Sport & Wellness programme for free. They run different mental health and fitness sessions like yoga, badminton, and group running that you can try out any day of the week. If you're not in halls, you can join BeActive sessions for just £3.

Culture

Somerset House

Take your mind off your studies by heading to Somerset House and immersing yourself in art and culture. You can find a range of contemporary exhibitions and interesting events. Even though most exhibitions are free of charge, students do get discounts for some of the ticketed events and programmes, so keep an eye out on their website.

British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank

BFI Southbank is another great place where you can spend some time relaxing after a busy day on campus. Whether you are a fan of classic or contemporary films, the BFI Southbank has got you covered. Anyone aged 16-25 can sign up to their 25 & Under scheme and enjoy £4 tickets for any film or event.

Take a walk with Tale Trails

The Tale Trails app lets you explore historical places near campus via self-guided walking tours. There’s a cool one in Covent Garden that I recommend doing near Christmas! This is a free way to explore the hidden corners and stories of London. 

My number one tip is to always have your student ID card with you, and don’t be shy to ask for student discounts as you never know what hidden bargains you may find. Come and visit the Money Mentors at our stalls and say hi, we usually have some freebies! You can also follow us on Instagram, as we often spotlight student discounts.