There is always something to do in London even on a student budget; you can take in walking tours, visit world famous museums and galleries or see iconic landmarks all for free.

You won't have to stray too far from campus as several Colleges of the University of London house important museums and galleries which are open to the public. Amongst these are the Courtauld Institute of Art Gallery   (free to full time students), the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology  at UCL, and the Royal Academy of Music's Museum .

Free public lectures, concerts and events, on a wide range of subjects, are organised by the Colleges. These include the UCL Lunch Hour Lectures , Birkbeck’s annual Orwell Lectures , and the Royal Academy of Music   programme of concerts, master classes and open days.

Colleges located in the Bloomsbury district of London also have established strong academic links with the British Museum and the British Library and have established a ‘cultural trail’ – free-of-charge – for visitors and newcomers to London, which takes in sites of cultural interest in the area.

To find out further information regarding what each of the Colleges and Institutes have to offer please contact them directly.

As well as taking in the exhibitions on display at the various museums and galleries throughout London you may like to engage in other free activities; for instance why not become an audience member for your favourite TV show? Many of the major TV networks have studios based in London and invite the general public to participate in TV show recordings as audience members for free. 

If you are looking for further ideas of what to do in London you may like to visit the London for Free  website for ideas and tips.

The University has high-quality facilities for most sports and currently manages over 4,000 students regularly involved in intercollegiate sports leagues across London. 

ULU’s own sports clubs and societies now number over 50, of which around 2,000 students are members and have achieved a high degree of success. 

If you are more a spectator then participator you have the opportunity of visiting some of the most iconic sports grounds in the world  while in London. These include Wembley Stadium, Wimbledon and Lords Cricket Ground as well as high profile Premier League football team grounds. Details of upcoming sports events in London can be found on the Visit London website . 

If you want to keep yourself in top condition while you study you may want to see if your College has a gym. Alternatively, ULU also owns and operates a private health club known as Energybase, which is open to students and members of the public. Facilities include a 60-station gymnasium with cardio theatre, a 33 metre swimming pool and two studios. Up to 50 fitness classes are offered per week. 
  

As well as the multitude of galleries, museums and sporting events; London is a vibrant and exciting city packed full of music venues, world famous restaurants, theatres, cinemas not to mention its pubs and clubs.

As a student of the University, you will be able to benefit from the facilities and events organised by the Colleges' Student Unions and the federal University of London Union (ULU). In addition, College Student Unions organise an extensive range of sporting and social events with ULU , which is universally recognised as having one of the top entertainment venues in the capital. For information about upcoming gigs at ULU’s Venue you can visit the Barfly  website. For details of other gigs and music venues around London you may find Time Out  a useful source of information.

The University of London's Senate House also plays host to a series of lunchtime concerts. The Senate House Lunchtime Concerts  take place thoughout the year. They start at 1pm and run until 2pm and they are open to the public.

London is host to the biggest theatre district in the world and has long housed some of the finest theatre productions from around the globe. From large scale musicals to smaller art house productions you should be able to find entertainment to suit all tastes in London’s theatreland. For details of what's on and where you may find the Official London Theatre Guide  website helpful.

If seeing your stars on celluloid is more your thing the capital is packed full of cinemas across the city where you can watch the lastest cinematic offerings. Many cinemas also offer student discounts to take advantage of whether you want to see the latest Hollywood blockbuster or the newest indepedent film offering.

The capital is also known for the shear range of cuisines available in its extensive array of restaurants. From top Michelin starred eateries to student loan friendly 'all you can eat' buffets there is a wealth of culinary expertise to enjoy. If you are looking for a resturant for any occasion you may like to take a look at the Top Table  website which also has helpful reviews and discount offers.

When it comes to shopping London has some of best boutiques, shops and department stores in the world. Many of the University of London's campuses are easily accessible to central London home to Oxford Street, Carnaby Street and just a short tube ride away to the newly opened Westfield Shopping Centre .

Being a student in London doesn't need to be as expensive as you might anticipate. While studying in London you can take advantage of the array of student discounts on offer which include 30% off travel with Transport for London , discounted theatre and cinema tickets as well as reduced prices at a number of high street retailers. 

Under a national scheme, under 26's get free admission to selected theatre productions while the wider student community can also get up to 50% off theatre tickets. For further information regarding discounts for students you may like to visit the Student Beans  website.

As many high street shops, resturants and London attractions have discounts in place when shown a valid student ID card it's worth asking before purchasing.