Ask me anything about living in London as a student?

Hi everyone! I’m Vinitha Sunil, an international student currently pursuing my Masters in Product Design at London Metropolitan University. I’ve been living in London for 8 amazing months now and also work as a student representative, helping students with all kinds of questions about university life.

If you’re thinking about studying in London or already here and curious about what it’s really like to live as a student in this vibrant city, ask me anything! Whether it’s about accommodation, budgeting, getting around, social life, or balancing studies and work — I’m here to help you have a smooth sail.

No question is too small, so feel free to drop your doubts and I’ll do my best to give you honest, helpful answers!

Looking forward to chatting with you all!

Reply 1

iive

Original post

by LondonMetVinitha

Hi everyone! I’m Vinitha Sunil, an international student currently pursuing my Masters in Product Design at London Metropolitan University. I’ve been living in London for 8 amazing months now and also work as a student representative, helping students with all kinds of questions about university life.
If you’re thinking about studying in London or already here and curious about what it’s really like to live as a student in this vibrant city, ask me anything! Whether it’s about accommodation, budgeting, getting around, social life, or balancing studies and work — I’m here to help you have a smooth sail.
No question is too small, so feel free to drop your doubts and I’ll do my best to give you honest, helpful answers!
Looking forward to chatting with you all!

Hello, My firm choice is a London Uni which I'm hoping to go to in September!

I was wondering do you have any advice on finding part-time jobs in London? Are business particularly welcoming towards student commitments? I know there are campus jobs that students can take on but do they pay well for the time commitment you are expected to put in?

Thanks for your help!

Reply 2

University of Bath

Official Rep

Hi Vinitha!

This is a great idea 🙂

Something on a lot of students' minds at the moment is the cost of living and being able to afford to fund student life. So what kinds of things would you recommend in order to budget/earn/save money whilst living as a student in London?

Thanks and best wishes!

University of Bath

Reply 3

Anonymous #1

Original post

by LondonMetVinitha

Hi everyone! I’m Vinitha Sunil, an international student currently pursuing my Masters in Product Design at London Metropolitan University. I’ve been living in London for 8 amazing months now and also work as a student representative, helping students with all kinds of questions about university life.
If you’re thinking about studying in London or already here and curious about what it’s really like to live as a student in this vibrant city, ask me anything! Whether it’s about accommodation, budgeting, getting around, social life, or balancing studies and work — I’m here to help you have a smooth sail.
No question is too small, so feel free to drop your doubts and I’ll do my best to give you honest, helpful answers!
Looking forward to chatting with you all!

Hi Vinitha,

i have firmed and insured London unis and am excited to start uni! my parents have said they are gonna buy an apartment for me, my unis are in south Kensington and central London so would buy an apartment closet to them. I would love to hear from your experience if these are good areas and if they are social!!

Reply 4

LondonMetVinitha

Official Rep

Original post

by iive

Hello, My firm choice is a London Uni which I'm hoping to go to in September!
I was wondering do you have any advice on finding part-time jobs in London? Are business particularly welcoming towards student commitments? I know there are campus jobs that students can take on but do they pay well for the time commitment you are expected to put in?
Thanks for your help!

Hello iive,

That’s exciting .Firstly I would like to congratulate on making London your firm choice! You are going to lots of fun in this city and September’s going to come around fast, so it’s great that you’re already thinking ahead about part-time work.
When it comes to finding part-time jobs in London, you’ve got quite a few options. The most common routes are:

University Jobs – As you mentioned, campus jobs are a good place to start. Unis often offer roles in libraries, student unions, admin offices, or as student ambassadors. They’re usually really understanding of your academic commitments since they're designed for students. Pay varies by role and uni, but it's generally around London Living Wage or just under—so decent for the hours. The best part is the flexibility and support.

Retail and Hospitality – Loads of students work in shops, cafes, restaurants, and pubs. Places in central London and busy areas near campus usually hire part-time workers regularly, and many are used to working with students, so shifts can often be arranged around classes. Just be clear upfront about your availability.

Freelance and Online Work – If you’ve got a specific skill like writing, tutoring, design, or social media, you could pick up freelance gigs. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or even tutoring sites can be good side hustles, and you control your own hours.

Internships or Assistant Roles – Some students also find paid internships or assistant roles in their field of study. These are great for experience and networking, and even though they’re a bit more competitive, it’s worth keeping an eye on job boards or your uni’s career portal.

Tips to get started:

•

Start early—look on sites like Indeed, StudentJob, and your university’s job board.

•

Create a basic CV with any experience you have, even if it’s volunteering or school projects.

•

Don’t hesitate to walk into local cafes or shops near your uni and ask if they’re hiring—it still works!

In general, London employers do tend to be student-friendly, especially in areas with a big student population. Just make sure you don’t overcommit—around 15-20 hours per week is usually manageable alongside studies and you are paid hourly basis here on the standard London Living Wage fixed for the same.

Hope this helps and let me know if you have any more questions. All the best for this new journey of yours and have an amazing day

Reply 5

LondonMetVinitha

Official Rep

Original post

by University of Bath

Hi Vinitha!
This is a great idea 🙂
Something on a lot of students' minds at the moment is the cost of living and being able to afford to fund student life. So what kinds of things would you recommend in order to budget/earn/save money whilst living as a student in London?
Thanks and best wishes!
University of Bath

Hey!
That’s such a good question, and honestly, something everyone starting out in London thinks about—it’s no secret the city can be expensive!

The first thing I’d say is get a budgeting app on your phone—Monzo or Revolut are really popular with students because they help you track your spending without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a good way to just see where your money is going each month.

Then try to plan your essentials—like rent, groceries, and travel—first. Whatever’s left after that is your fun money. I used to do a weekly meal prep to save on food costs. We’d shop together at Lidl or even the local markets late in the day when prices drop. It made such a difference!

For earning, definitely look into campus jobs. I work as a social media content ambassador, and it was super flexible around my schedule—and actually paid pretty well. If you’ve got any creative skills or you're good at tutoring, freelance gigs online are a great option too.

Oh, and don’t sleep on student discounts! UNiDAYS, Student Beans, even just asking in shops—they all add up. I saved so much just by checking if places offered a student discount before paying. Budgeting in London takes a bit of planning at first, but once you find your rhythm, it’s totally doable.

Hope this Helps! Let me know if you have any other question and have an amazing day.

Reply 6

LondonMetVinitha

Official Rep

Original post

by Anonymous

Hi Vinitha,
i have firmed and insured London unis and am excited to start uni! my parents have said they are gonna buy an apartment for me, my unis are in south Kensington and central London so would buy an apartment closet to them. I would love to hear from your experience if these are good areas and if they are social!!

Hey
That’s so exciting! South Kensington and central London are both great spots, but since property prices can be pretty high, it’s good to explore a few nearby areas too.

For example, South Kensington itself is lovely and really close to a lot of uni campuses. If you want something a bit more affordable but still close, you could look at Earls Court or Chelsea nearby—they have great transport links and still a nice vibe.

For central London, it really depends on what part you mean, but areas like Bloomsbury, Islington, and Shoreditch are popular with students and young professionals. They’re lively, have lots of cafes, pubs, and are well connected by public transport. Plus, they tend to be a bit more affordable than super central spots like Mayfair or Soho.

Also, places like Camden or Hammersmith are a bit further out but still really student-friendly with good transport options and a social atmosphere.

I’d definitely recommend checking those areas on property sites like Rightmove, Zoopla, and OpenRent to see what fits your budget. And don’t forget to factor in council tax and maintenance fees! And if you are comfortable with student accomodations,please check out websites like Amberstudent for the stay, Hope this helps and all the best for your new journey!