A Law Student’s Guide to London

Article written by Sammar Masood, LLB (Hons) graduate from City, University of London.

As the start of the academic year approaches, many students will have moved to London to pursue their law degrees. Some students may also be staying at their family homes in London whilst pursuing their degree. Whatever camp you fall into, it is always useful to know how to use the hustle and bustle of London to your advantage as a student.

Start Off With Travel Basics

While in London, it is likely you will be using public transport to get around. If you sign up for a TFL 18+ Student Photocard, a 30% discount is applied to travel fares. Although peak fares will still apply for your 9am lecture journeys, 30% off is not a bad starting point. However, do bear in mind that the registration fee for this card is £20. So, scenarios in which you can benefit extensively from the 18+ Photocard discount can include: living in Greater London in your family home and travelling everyday across Zones into Central London; or living within walking distance of your university campus but wanting the Photocard so you can connect it with a 16–25 Railcard to receive a 34% discount if you travel outside of London frequently during reading week or exam season. Although everyone’s circumstances are different, it could be less expensive in the long term to use ordinary TFL fares with your credit or debit card and save the £20 registration cost if you don’t frequently travel by bus, train, or tube.

But if the 18+ Photocard does sound right for you and your travel plans, head to the TFL website to apply now. Do bear in mind you will need to have officially enrolled at university and have any proof of accommodation ready to sign up.

Calling All Loyal Coffee Drinkers…

It is reasonably safe to say that students live on coffee. London’s most popular coffee shops: Black Sheep Coffee, Gails, Cafe Nero to name a few, all offer a loyalty card scheme. This way, those espressos and oat milk lattes may not feel so guilty…

Loyalty cards also extend beyond coffee shops to many eateries and bakeries. Simply ask at the till to have your habits rewarded.

Safety Tips

Some students may be coming from countries or other parts of England where it is relatively safe to go out at night. In London, whilst opportunities for a fancy night out or celebration post exam season are aplenty, ensure that you and the people around you are safe. If you have ordered an Uber, do make sure to verify the name and registration number of your driver. Additionally, whilst there are Night Bus and Tube Services, these are not as frequent as day schedules so planning and timing is key if you’d like to use these services. Unfortunately, even in this day and age, females might benefit from carrying a personal safety alarm with them whilst travelling  at night. These are quite inexpensive but can be a source of reassurance. Recently, particularly in the winter when it gets dark earlier, main stations like Liverpool Street have set up safety points for anyone who requires assistance.

London Custom

To stay on London’s good side, here are some tips. The first being escalator etiquette. As someone who has been on the receiving end of a long sigh because I was standing on the left side of the escalator, take it from a pro and always stand on the right.

Also, for US students, tipping is not customary. Of course if you want to give your service team an extra boost for being so attentive you can go ahead and tip – but generally it’s not required.

Next, perhaps not the most fun of customs but one that needs to be addressed. If you are feeling the pinch due to London’s prices, don’t worry. It’s pretty much a City-wide feeling. But, this does not mean that if the cost of living becomes difficult for you that you should keep it to yourself. Seek help from family, friends, make use of your student discount, and you can even contact your Students Union for more help.

Finally, jaywalking (also known as crossing the road when there is no green man) is not illegal in the UK. So if you’re sure it’s safe, you can run to your 9am lecture!

Overall while scary at first, London truly is a student’s best friend. Use its buzz and quirks to your advantage and have the best student experience ever.