Starting your postgraduate studies at IDIA is an exciting and sometimes overwhelming experience. London is a fast-paced global city, but it will soon feel like home. To help you settle in, we asked outgoing and former students for their advice, with special thanks to Imannur Gul, the IDIA Student Rep, for her input. Below is a practical guide to your first month, with tips on travel, money, study, and where to explore. 

Practical information for London

If you are moving to London, then having some practical tips can go a long way in helping you settle! Here are some great tips that can help you get used to our capital city

Travel:

In your first month, get both a 16–25 Railcard and a Student Oyster Card. Once you have them, ask a staff member at a train station to link the two. Doing this will give you a 30% discount on Oyster journeys within London, plus cheaper train tickets across the UK. Railcards also offer discounts on long-distance travel, so you can explore cities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, or Manchester more affordably. Always check online for additional student discounts before buying. 

You can find more information on travel advice on our Welcome Guide available through LEARN.

City guides 

London Block by Block is highly recommended, it divides the city into boroughs and helps you explore neighbourhoods at your own pace. 

Money and discounts 

Student discount platforms: Create accounts on UNiDAYS and Student Beans. Both offer significant discounts at cafés, bookshops, clothing retailers, and more. Tesco Clubcard: Essential if you’re shopping at the Tesco near campus, which is great for meal deals and everyday savings. 

Housing, welfare and health 

• Finding accommodation in London: If you need help finding accommodation in London our Student Advice team offer a free contract checking service to help you understand your rights and responsibilities when renting. It is highly recommended that you seek advice from them before you sign any contract or pay any money to a private landlord or letting agent. You can email them at advice@lboro.ac.uk or call: +44 (0)1509 222765 for an appointment.

• Welfare support: University services are available for mental health, academic stress, or financial concerns. Don’t hesitate to book an appointment here.

• Health: Register with a local GP (doctor’s practice) as soon as possible. The NHS provides free healthcare for students in the UK, though prescriptions are usually paid. For urgent issues, you can use NHS 111 online or by phone. If you need more information finding a GP please visit our students support page.

Shopping 

• For your accommodation: Use IKEA’s online delivery service for affordable and quick furniture or household essentials. Argos and Wilko (though closing some branches) are also practical for basics. 

• Groceries: London is expensive, but Lidl, Aldi, and Sainsbury’s Local are budget-friendly options. Amazon Fresh frequently offers discount codes worth checking. 

• Food markets: Don’t miss London’s food culture. Markets such as Borough Market, Broadway Market, and Mercato Mayfair are vibrant places to eat, meet friends, and experience global cuisines. 

Being a student at Loughborough London

Beyond all the amazing things going on in London, you are here to get a degree and here are some tips to help you get into the swing of things your academic journey off to the best start. 

Studying and Academic Life 

• Induction: Don’t miss induction and the first classes. If you do, contact your module leader immediately to catch up. 

• Block teaching: This system means you focus on one module at a time. At the end of each block, reflect on what you wish you’d done differently and apply those lessons to the next. You’ll soon learn how to make the most of the block teaching.  

• Time management: London offers many distractions so plan your study hours carefully. Use apps like Notion or Google Calendar to balance classes, assignments, and social life. 

• Personal tutor: You’ll be assigned a personal tutor who can be your first point of contact if you have any problems during your time studying at Loughborough London. They’ll arrange a time to meet with you in the first few weeks. Don’t miss the meeting.

Friends and Social Life 

One great option to meet people is to look at the LSU societies, whether related to international affairs, sport, or culture. Attend IDIA and campus social events; these are excellent ways to meet other postgraduates. IDIA has several events planned for the first month. Explore London’s diverse neighborhoods together such as a trip to Camden, Shoreditch, or Hampstead Heath. 

A time to explore and get settled

Your first month is about more than just settling into classes. Use this time to explore what London has to offer, meet people inside and outside the university, and lay the foundations for a rewarding year. London is a city of opportunity. Take advantage of it early, and you’ll feel at home much faster. 

I hope you found this information helpful but if you need further support please do not hesitate to reach out to our Student Services team at LondonStudentServices@lboro.ac.uk