Life in London

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first week essentials – home away from home – getting around – FOOD & DRINK – THINGS TO DO – STAY UP TO DATE

 

 

FIRST WEEK ESSENTIALS

Moving from abroad? We've got you covered!

• UK SIM card 
  We recommend GiffGaff, Tesco, or EE because of their excellent student/sim-only deals.
• Major supermarkets 
  Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose, Asda, Co-op, M&S. 
  Take a look on Google Maps as to which one is closest to your accomodation. Make sure you have plenty of heavy-duty, reusable shopping bags to bring with you – plastic bags in the UK can cost upwards of 10p each.
• Banking
  Revolut, Starling, and Monzo are all online, so they are much easier to set up quickly. They also have very accomodating exchange rates, and are very accessible for students. 
• English skills
  LSE offers a wide range of Academic English Support, such as one-to-one sessions, academic writing courses, and academic purpose workshops.
• UK Weather
  The UK weather is as unpredictable as they come. Stay up to date with the latest forecasts, and make sure to pack a wide variety of clothing.

THE BARE necessities FOR EVERY STUDENT

• Getting around campus
  LSE have provided a campus map that you can use to find your way around (we recommend setting it as your phone background) or you can download the LSE Student Hub app for easier access.
• Staying healthy
  Sign up to the NHS, register with a GP (we recommend St Philips Medical Centre as it's located on campus) and find your nearest hospital, just in case.
• Discounts
  Create a UNiDAYS and/or a StudentBeans account – This will allow you to access a wealth of student discounts that can be used both online and in person.
• Phone safety
  Unfortunatley, phone snatching can happen in London, especially on busy roads. Keep your device safe by storing it in a zippable pocket or bag, or purchase a phone lanyard for extra safety. 

 

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

We're on the map

 

 

GETTING AROUND

LEARNING LONDON

CityMapper is an excellent app for navigating the city. It'll tell you the best routes for getting to your destinations, how to get to places for a specific time, and if/when tube lines aren't running.

USE ON WEB  DOWNLOAD FOR iPHONE  DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID

RAILCARDS

If you will be using the London Underground frequently, we recommend getting a 16-25 railcard. You can purchase these online here.

You can then connect this to your Oyster Card – Do this by going to any major station, talking to a TFL worker, and they will connect it for you. This will you up to a 1/3 off off peak travel on the Underground.  

The rail card will also get you 1/3 off all trains around the UK. Purchase your tickets via the Trainline, and you can apply your discount when you book.

TAKE THE THAMES

Uber offer a boat service via Thames Clipper that means you can sail your way around London. Use this as a unique way to get to campus, or a fun thing to do to see all the riverside sites of London. You can check out the route and get more information here.

The closest dock to the LSE campus is Emankment or London Eye (Waterloo).

EXPLORE THE SKIES

Ever fancied seeing Docklands from above? Take a short trip across the Thames on the IFS Cable Car, running between Greenwich Penninsula and IFS Royal Docks. Oyster Cards are accepted on this journey.

 

FOOD & DRINK

Here we have suggested some of our favourite options for food and drink near the LSE campus. London is home to a huge variety of cultures and cuisines, so there certainly will be something for everyone. It's worth trying as much as you can while you are here.

TOP TIP

Check to see if where you are planning to visit offers a student discount/deal to help you save some money. A lot of the big chain restaurants (Café Nero, Itsu, Leon etc.) should have discount offers on your UNiDAYS and/or StudentBeans app. When it comes to smaller, independant establishments, it's worth checking with the staff just in case.

WANT TO STAY ON CAMPUS?

You don't have to anywhere to grab a delicious deal – The Denning Learning Café on floor 1 of the Saw Swee Hock centre is the perfect place to grab a bargain of a meal deal, a cozy coffee, or scrumptious snack. Plus, you can enjoy your food in a chilled-out environment, with plenty of space to eat, study, and chat.

LSE is also home to many excellent food and drink spots, from local pubs, to grab-and-go snack shops, and even sit-in restaurants. You can see the full range places on campus by visiting the LSE Food and Drink page.

 

 

THINGS TO DO

There's so many things to do in London that's it's almost impossible to list them all! We've added just a few of our favourite activities below - whether you prefer an adventure during the day, or some excitement during the night - there is most definitley something for everyone!

FREE TO DO

• Museums 
  London is home to some of the best museums, most of which are free to enter. Whether you like history, art, science, or all of the above, you can see which are the best free museums to visit here.

• Views 
  Soak up the iconic views of London from different points throughout the city. Take a walk across any of London's 35 bridges for a riverside ramble, venture to some of the biggest hills (Greenwich Park in the South East, Parliment Hill or Primrose Hill in the North West) for a grassy gaze, or book tickets to London's highest sky garden for a scope around central.

• Sports
  The best way to get around London for free is to run! London is home to 64 parkruns, which is a free, weekly timed 5k. There are also plenty of run clubs around, which is a brilliant way to make new friends. If running isn't your thing, then you can now book free tennis courts at your local park on the weekend. You can find out more about this here.

• Parks
  London is a garden city, and you are spoilt for choice when it comes to parks. Whether it's one of the grander Royal Parks, or something more local to you, getting to know your local park is vital for all Londoners. Just make sure to prioritise your safety, especially at night!

COSTS SOME MONEY

• West End Show
  Seeing a performance in the iconic West End doesn't have to cost the earth. A lot of places around Theatreland offer discounted tickets if you buy on the day, and some may even offer student discount prices. You can also often get cheaper tickets to smaller performances, such as plays. 
• Historical London
  Why not learn the long, long history of the captial by taking a guided walking tour – this is also a great way to learn the lay of the city. Or why not visit historical sites such as the Tower of London, St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and so many more!
• Top-Secret Comedy
  In need of a laugh? Check out the Top Secret Comedy Club, an intimate venue where you may end up seeing some big names, or discovering someone new. Their flagship isn't far away on Drury Lane, but there is now a new venue on Kingsway just opposite the LSE campus!

NIGHTLIFE

• Join a Sports Club
  Club/AU events are always the highlight of the week! You'll never have a boring Wednesday again thanks to weekly nights out at local bar, SWAY.
• Going 'Out-Out'
  London is home to some of the most internationally famous clubs, and now they're right on your doorstep! Ministry of Sound, Scala, Fabric, Jazz Café, and Koko are all fairly local and certainly worth a visit. If you're more into a 'bar' vibe, then check out Simmons Bar on Kingsway – drinks are always 2-4-1 if you're a student (as long as you show a valid student ID.)
• Pub Trips
  You'll never be short of pubs in London, that's a guarantee! There are plenty of local boozers near campus, such as Wetherspoon's Shakespeare's Head or Penderals Oak, George IV or Ye Old White Horse (located on campus!), and many, many more. Take a look at The Lonondist Pub Guide, where you can search by area and find your new favourite watering hole.  
• Gigs and Concerts
  London is frequented by some of the best artists in the world. From the most intimate of gigs, to gigantic stadium concerts, making the time to see some of your favourite singers is an absolute must. Take a look at what is coming up, and make sure you don't miss out!

STAY UP TO DATE

Follow @lsesu on Instagram to make sure you have all the latest news and updates from your Students' Union. You can also message us on there if you have any questions and we will do our best to get back to you.

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