Postgrad London Living: study locations & apps to make the most of your time in the city

CONTENTS

• Alternative study locations around the city
• Ten handy apps for postgrads living in London

There’s no denying London is a great place to be a student, despite the eye-watering prices, unpredictable weather and somewhat chaotic transport, London has so much to offer those who choose to study there.

Rich in diversity; with its cosmopolitan atmosphere, you’ll be sure to find the best eateries; catering for every budget with world-class entertainment for all tastes — even on the cheap! London offers an extensive public transport network, which might not always run on time, but runs pretty smoothly compared to other big cities, getting you from point A to point B, usually withiin walking distance from any tube station.

London contrasts the old and the new; all on a backdrop of one of the greenest cities in Europe, in terms of parks and green spaces. From Hyde Park to Hampstead Heath where you can go ‘wild’ open water swimming, London is teeming with green spaces, making it a great destination to study and enjoy student life—especially in the summer!

Not only that, but when you get fed up of studying in your halls of residence or uni library, why not have a change of scenery and study in one of London's many musuems, libraries and historical / contemporary locations. 

Here are just a few of the many alternative study locations you can find around the city:

Southbank Centre: Located along the River Thames, this part of London offers great study spaces such as the Royal Festival Hall and National Poetry Library, providing inspirational views of the city.

British Library: With its extensive book collection, tranquil spaces and natural light, it makes for a peaceful and inspirational study location.

Barbican Centre: An icon of Brutalist architecture; beautiful and tranquil, with its large botanical conservatory in the centre of the complex, it is also home to a vibrant library, offering great study spaces and offering lots of free events, too.

Regent’s Park: Regent’s Park is perfect place to study on a warm summer’s day. Whether you are cramming for exams or writing your thesis, being outdoors it’s a great place to concentrate, oxygenate and educate, all from within its tranquil large open spaces and beautiful gardens.

And while London might not be cheap, there are ways to navigate London life on a budget. Use these clever applications to navigate the capital, find the best deals and relieve yourself of boredom on that bus journey, all on a student budget.

Ten handy apps for postgrads living in London

1. Tube Map 

It might seem pretty basic, but there is nothing handier than a tube map in your pocket, (no matter how well you think you know the Jubilee Line). This app, not only shows you the tube map, but also what carriage you need to be on for exits and interchanges, so you can find the most direct route and get to that house party ‘somewhere in south London’.

2. Citymapper 

The king of journey planning and more logical than any TFL suggestions; City Mapper will show you all potential routes for your journey, telling you not only how long it will take but also how much it will cost you. It compares your travel options across the city and helps you plan your exact route from point A to point B. More importantly, it will alert you to disruptions, saving you time and stress finding alternative routes. Should you need to splash out on a taxi, it will even estimate the costs of getting an Uber or a Black Cab.

3. Santander Cycles 

Santander Cycles is London’s self-service bike-sharing scheme. There’s no need to book; just find your nearest Santander bike or docking station and plan your route with his nifty app. It even tells you what the weather will be like, so forewarned is forearmed!

4. Timeout London 

Run out of ideas? Want to know if that new ‘pop up’ restaurant (probably about the 100th one) is as edgy as it’s cracked up to be? Want to know which clubs to avoid at all costs? Time out has long been the number one entertainment and listings magazine for London and now you can have it in your pocket. Not only that, but if you are sticking to a budget, every weekend Timeout will list all the free fun activities around the city.  

5. Meetup 

If you’re wanting to find likeminded folk, join a club or society – The Hummus Society for example among many more, then Meetup is for you. Once you download this handy app, you can connect with people in and around your location.

6. GymSync 

Want to stay active but worried gym fees are one expense too many? GymSync has special offers for students. This app users find cheap membership deals to gyms all over London. The app will let you search location, amenities while finding discounts for students.  

7. Too Good To Go 

With the To Good To Go app, you can fill your tummy and do something meaningful for the planet such as reducing food waste: which accounts for around a quarter of all landifill. This app enables you to connect with restaurants, takeaways and shops in your local area who have unsold products, helping them to dispose of unused food responsibly, while providing you with cheap, fresh food at a fraction of the price. Hopefully, you'll like what's in your surprise bag; gimmick or not, this idea is a 'win win' for the planet.

8. DUSK 

Of course, while never endorsing drinking, student life can include nights out in bars and pubs, which can be expensive, so if you are going to indulge, then at least save yourself some money with this app. The DUSK app gives you tips on cool bars and instagramable venues, while offering discounts on those locations when you visit, whilst accumulating credits which you can use later on.

9. UniDays 

Everybody loves a bargain and with UniDays, you’ll find lots of great deals and discounts on popular brands, food, technology and much more. It’s an exclusive student discount platform. All you need to do is sign up using your university email address and then download the app to your phone.

10. Headspace 

When it all gets too much and you just need to chill, the Headspace app can help you navigate between the demands of study and city living. With it's handy tips on managing stress: learn meditation, relaxation and sleep techniques to help you unwind. Sadly, content isn't free but it does have student plans. You can also find free Headspace content on YouTube.