LFA’s 8 Essential Tips for New Students Moving to London

Moving to a new city is exciting, but settling into somewhere as big, busy and diverse as London can take a little time.

Whether you’re moving to London for the first time or simply relocating to a new part of the city, there are a few things worth knowing before you arrive. From getting around and managing your money to finding your favourite cinema, market or green space, here are some of our essential tips for making the most of student life in London.

Photo by Benjamin Davies on Unsplash 

1. Get to Know London’s Transport Network

One of the first things you’ll need to get your head around is London’s public transport network. The Oyster card gives you access to the Tube, buses, trams and many train services across London.

If you’re a full-time student, you can apply for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard, which offers discounted travel. If you also have a 16-25 Railcard, you can link it to your Oyster card to get 3rd off eligible off-peak pay-as-you-go fares in London. It’s well worth looking into if you’re going to be travelling regularly. You can also use your contactless bank card which charges at the standard travel rate* (*student discounted travel will not be applied).

When it comes to finding your way around, Citymapper is a student essential. It gives you live travel information, different route options and estimated journey times, which can be particularly useful when you’re still learning your way around.

London also has night tube services, making it much easier to get home after a late night out. Just remember to check your route before heading out, as night tube services and timetables vary.

2. Registering with a GP (General Practitioner) 

Healthcare is another important thing to organise when you move to London.

Registering with a GP (General Practitioner) means you’ll have access to local healthcare if you need it. The NHS provides healthcare services across the UK, and registering with a GP is something worth doing early rather than waiting until you’re unwell.

You can find information about registering and accessing healthcare through the NHS website.

It’s also worth saving your GP’s contact details somewhere easy to find, along with information about your nearest pharmacy and other local health services.

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3. Keep Your Important Documents Organised

Moving to London means there can be plenty of admin to deal with, particularly when you first arrive.

Make sure you keep your important documents somewhere safe and easily accessible. These might include:

• Passport and visa: Make sure your passport is up to date and that you have the correct visa if you’re an international student.
• LFA enrolment documents: Keep your acceptance letter and other important LFA information handy.
• Accommodation details: Save your tenancy agreement and your landlord or accommodation provider’s contact details.
• Financial documents: Keep any relevant bank statements, proof of funding or scholarship information.
• Emergency contacts: Save important numbers in your phone as well as keeping a written record somewhere safe.

It can also be useful to keep digital copies of important documents in a secure cloud storage account.

4. Pack for London Weather

London’s weather has a reputation for being unpredictable and it’s not entirely undeserved.

The best approach is to pack for changeable weather rather than relying on one type of outfit. Think:

• Layers: T-shirts, jumpers and light jackets that you can add or remove throughout the day.
• Waterproofs: A waterproof jacket is often more useful than carrying an umbrella everywhere.
• Comfortable shoes: You’re likely to walk a lot more than you expect.
• Warm clothes: London can get very cold in winter, so don’t forget a decent coat.

Photo by Taylor Beach on Unsplash

And one slightly unusual tip: consider investing in a shower filter if you’re not used to London’s hard water. It’s certainly not an essential, but some students find it makes a difference.

5. Get Settled in Your Accommodation

Whether you’re moving into student accommodation, a flat share or private housing, it’s easy to focus on the big things and forget the small essentials.

Depending on what your accommodation already provides, you might need:

• Bedding: Duvet, pillows and bed linen.
• Kitchenware: Pots, pans, cutlery, crockery and basic cooking equipment.
• Extension leads: Particularly useful if you have lots of devices to charge.
• Toiletries: Remember the basics before your first supermarket trip.
• Cleaning supplies: Especially useful if you’re moving into a shared flat.
• A reusable water bottle and coffee cup: Handy for days out and can save you money in the long run.

Before buying everything new, check what your accommodation already provides. London has plenty of charity shops, second-hand shops and online marketplaces where you can pick up things you need for less.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

6. Explore Your Neighbourhood and Get Outside

One of the best ways to start feeling at home in London is to explore the area around you.

Don’t just find your nearest supermarket and Tube station - spend an afternoon walking around your neighbourhood. Find a local café, your favourite pub, a cinema, a library and somewhere you can sit and relax.

And don’t forget London’s green spaces. From Hampstead Heath and Greenwich Park to smaller local parks and gardens, there are hundreds of places to escape the busy city for an afternoon.

London is also home to some fantastic markets, which are a great way to explore different parts of the city, find affordable food and discover something new. Try exploring places such as Borough Market, Broadway Market, Maltby Street Market or one of London’s many local weekend markets.

You’ll quickly discover that there isn’t one London - every neighbourhood has its own character.

Photo by Arvydas Venckus on Unsplash

7. Make the Most of London’s Culture

Moving to London there’s no shortage of inspiration around you.

One of the best things about being a student in London is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to experience the city’s cultural scene.

Cinema

Take advantage of student and young-person discounts at cinemas across London. The Young Barbican is free to join for 16–29-year-olds and offers discounted tickets, including £6 cinema tickets, as well as discounts on exhibitions, concerts and other events.

Theatre

For a classic London experience, check out Shakespeare’s Globe. The Globe regularly releases £5 standing tickets in the Yard.

Bring your friends, grab some food and drink nearby and experience one of London’s most iconic theatres without spending a fortune.

Galleries and Museums

Many of London’s major museums and galleries are free to enter, including the Tate, Natural History Museum and many more.

Keep an eye out for late-night events, special exhibitions and student activities. Tate Lates, for example, offers an evening programme of art, music and events.

The Natural History Museum also hosts evening events throughout the year, so it’s worth checking what’s happening beyond standard opening hours.

Live Music and Comedy

London’s live music scene is enormous, from small independent venues to major concert halls and arenas. Keep an eye on venues in your local area and sign up for updates from platforms such as Ticketmaster and Live Nation.

And if comedy is more your thing, look out for smaller comedy clubs and open-mic nights. Top Secret Comedy Club is one option to add to your London list.

The best advice? Get out there and try things. You never know which gig, screening, exhibition or theatre show might become a favourite.

Photo by Maya Coman.

8. Download the Apps That Make London Life Easier

There really is an app for almost everything in London and a few are definitely worth downloading when you arrive.

Getting Around:

Citymapper - Plan journeys across London and get live travel updates.

Lime - Hire e-bikes to explore the city on two wheels.

Finding Things to Do:

RA Guide - Discover electronic music, club nights and events happening across London.

DICE - Find gigs, club nights, cultural events and other things happening in the city.

TodayTix - Useful for finding last-minute and discounted theatre tickets.

Food and Going Out:

Too Good To Go - Pick up surplus food from restaurants, cafés and shops at reduced prices.

First Table - Find discounted last-minute restaurant bookings.

You could also explore apps and memberships that offer discounts on restaurants, fitness classes and social activities, such as ClassPass.

Finally, Make the Most of Being in London

London can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be all expensive restaurants, West End shows and £7 coffees.

Look for student discounts, free events, cheap cinema screenings, markets, parks, galleries and local venues. Sign up to newsletters from places you like so you hear about events and ticket releases and keep an eye out for deals aimed at students and young people.

And don’t forget that London is also a great base for exploring the rest of the UK and Europe. With major airports, international train connections and plenty of travel options, you can take advantage of being in one of the best-connected cities in the world. Skyscanner, for example, can be useful for comparing flights and planning your next adventure. Another tip for traveling within the UK is split my fare is a fantastic app/website where you can grab cheap train tickets should you wish to step out of the city and explore places across England, Scotland and Wales.

Most importantly, give yourself time to settle in. It’s normal for a new city to feel overwhelming at first, but before long you’ll have your favourite route to LFA, your go-to coffee shop, your favourite cinema and a list of places you still want to explore.

At London Film Academy, we’re here to support you throughout your time with us.

Welcome to London, we can’t wait to see what you make here.