Americans studying in the UK often feel compelled to visit every notable site mentioned in their trusty Lonely Planet guide. But since the pound-to-dollar exchange rate usually leaves the American spender at a disadvantage, eating out at restaurants every night of the week is unrealistic for most. Besides, when your fish and chips dish costs 30 dollars, is it still really that tempting?
But fret not, young expatriate! As long as you make a concerted effort to watch your wallet, you don’t have to go home with an empty bank account. So even if you don’t have enough cash to live like the Queen of England, these budget-conscious tips should help you steer clear of Dickensian poverty.
You Don’t Have to Live in London. Really.
Many students find their way to London because the city hosts popular universities like University College London, King’s College, and the London School of Economics. London may be one of the world’s most exciting cities, but it’s also one of the most expensive. In general, the further you live from the capital city (and the Southeast corner of the country, for that matter), the lower the cost of living. And luckily for you, there are a number of cheap study-abroad options throughout the UK. University of Sussex, Cambridge, Oxford, University of Manchester, and University of Edinburgh are all exciting and dynamic places.
Become a Professional Discount Hunter
As in the United States, you can’t really bargain over retail prices: a price tag of £30 for a jacket at Top Shop pretty much means you’re going to spend £30 for a jacket at Top Shop. But you can still find ways to slash pounds and pence off your purchases. Start with the Young Person’s Railcard, which you can purchase at a train station for £24 to save 33% on all your train travels throughout the UK. Likewise, if you’re studying in London, check out the Oyster discount for the Tube.
Also keep in mind that some of London’s most memorable institutions, like the British Museum and the National Gallery, are free. Consider hitting up those places instead of costly tourist sites like the Tate Modern or the Tower of London.
Get a Job, You Bum
Instead of treating your abroad experience as a shopping spree, it might not be a bad idea to make some money while you’re in the UK. Students can find jobs in tutoring centers, cafés, bars, libraries, and restaurants.
Generally speaking, only students who are studying in the UK for an entire academic year (as opposed to those who are visiting for a semester) are eligible to receive a permit to work in the UK. You didn’t hear this tidbit from Unigo, but if you don’t have a proper work permit, you can probably still figure out a way to make money. Frequently, employers in the foodservice industry pay their employees “under the table.” As a bonus, those paychecks won’t get taxed.