Managing your money while concentrating on your studies can be difficult, and you may find that you're on a tight budget. Below, we've rounded up some handy tips on how to budget and save money where possible.
Always remember there's help at the University if you need it, so do speak to Student Advice if you're struggling financially.
Visit our other funding options page for information about the many funding options available to you as a student at the University of Westminster.
For help with cost of living impact, check out our financial support for students page.
Student discounts
As a student in London, there are many discounts available to you and many websites with tips and information on saving money and finding the best deals.
Here are some of the most useful websites to get you started:
- Totum Card – this internationally recognised student discount card gives you access to hundreds of discounts in the UK and abroad
- Unidays – discounts on a range of items including clothes, food and technology
- Student Beans – student discounts, offers and voucher codes for shopping online and instore
- Student Money Saver – a blog-style website with information about freebies, discounts and exclusive deals
- Save the Student – tips on how to make your money go further and information on a range of deals and discounts
- Young person's railcard – buy your railcard and get 1/3 off rail travel as a student
Student Oyster card
As a full-time student, you can apply for a Student Oyster card, which gives you 30% off your travel in London.
If you're a part-time student, you'll usually not be eligible for a Student Oyster Card, unless you meet specific requirements explained on the TfL website.
Note: When filling in your application, do not include the last number on your student card (only include 8 of the 9 numbers on your student card).
If you're unsure whether you're eligible for a discounted oyster card, get in touch with the Student Funding Team at [email protected].
Discounted software
As a student here, you can save up to 80% on Adobe software, including the Creative Suite packages and Photoshop. You'll need to provide your Student ID card to make purchases from the Adobe Education Store. To take up this offer, you'll need to access the website while you're on campus.
Free software
SPSS and Nvivo
We provide free SPSS (Statistical Product and Service Solutions) software and Nvivo.
Microsoft Office 365
While you're studying at Westminster, you'll be able to use Microsoft 365 for free on up to 5 PCs or Macs, using your student username and password.
Once you get started with Microsoft 365, you'll be able to co-edit your work using Microsoft applications online, in real time – anywhere, any time, on any device.
How to access Microsoft 365
If you're signing up for the first time to start using OneDrive and to download the Microsoft package, you will need to:
- Go to the Microsoft 365 login page.
- Enter your Microsoft 365 username, which is your University username followed by @westminster.ac.uk. Your University username is 'w' followed by the first seven digits on your student ID card. For example, if your University username is w1234567, your Microsoft 365 username will be [email protected]. (If you have a Google Gmail account, do not use @my.westminster.ac.uk.)
- Enter your University password.
For more information, read the FAQs on Microsoft 365.
If you have a problem getting started, please contact the IT Service Desk.
Whenever using University IT facilities and services, you’ll need to make sure you follow the IT security and use policy:
Part-time work
As well as earning extra money while you study, part-time work gives you the chance to develop valuable transferable skills that will improve your employability.
You can find out about part-time jobs and other opportunities on our Jobs and work experience pages, browse part-time job vacancies on Engage, and get tailored advice from staff in the Careers and Employability Service.
Temporary and part-time jobs on campus
If you're interested in working at the University during your studies, our Talent Bank scheme allows you to apply for a range of paid temporary and part-time work across our campuses and departments.
Find out more about Talent Bank.
Budgeting
It’s important to create a budget in order to keep track of your money. The best place to start is by keeping an eye on what you spend and what you earn in a normal week or month. Start with your income, and then look at your outgoings. Don’t forget your travel, utility bills and mobile phone.
Doing a budget is not about stopping yourself spending money on the things you enjoy. It's more about making sure you have enough money for all areas of your life and seeing if there are more cost-effective ways to live.
When doing a budget, keep these things in mind:
- Be realistic – it’s unlikely you can only spend 10p a day on food
- Be disciplined – don't throw the budget out of the window on day one. You'll find times when you go over or under your budget. But do your best to stick to it, and you'll reap the rewards
- Be kind to yourself – if you spend more that you should at times that's fine. But keep sticking to a budget as much as you can
- Revise your budget – if you've budgeted for something you don’t spend money on, adjust it and use that money for something else
- Know yourself – if you like spontaneous buys, budget for that. Set aside some money each week so that you can use to treat yourself
Online tools like this budget calculator from the Money Helper can help you create a budget plan. There are also a number of budgeting apps available to download onto your smart phone.
If you need help managing your money, budgeting or dealing with debt, the Student Advice team can offer support and guidance.
More money tips
Beyond budgeting, here are some more tips that could help you save money:
- There are several food waste Apps where you can pick up reduced priced food that's still in date and is due to be thrown out by shops and restaurants. You can have a look by downloading Olio, Too Good To Go and Karma
- If you're living with flatmates, cook meals for each other, or pool some money to get shared ingredients
- Think about taking in a tea and coffee from home, rather than buying a hot drink every day
- Freezing bread can make it last longer, and you can use to make toast
- Taking a packed lunch in few times a week can cut down your costs on how much you spend on lunch
- When taking a trip to the supermarket, always make list before you shop so that you get the things you need to buy and don’t get seduced by the offers available as you pass every aisle
- Check out the value brands when food shopping and see if you can notice a difference in taste or flavour. If you can’t, stick with the cheaper option. Look for yellow stickers to see what items are reduced