The prospect of moving to uni, especially in a big city like London, can seem a little overwhelming at first - there's so much to remember! We've got a few bits of advice to know before you go, to help take the pressure off a little bit.
Make the most of student discounts
Loads of high-street retailers take student discount, so it would be silly not to use it. Unidays and StudentBeans are free to sign up to with your uni email. Make sure you download the app so you can save on the go! It's also worth signing up for a TOTUM Card - you'll have to pay for this one, but the exclusive discounts it offers will mean it pays itself off and more. PS: TOTUM offer a PASS accredited photo ID card, meaning you can use this card for proof of age at supermarkets, bars, cinemas and more. You won't be able to use your student ID card as proof of age, so it's worth getting your hands on one of these (no one wants to lose their passport on a night out!).
Take a sneak peek at our societies...
It's never too late to join, and you'll be welcomed with open arms. You can take a look at our directory here - we've got over 300 clubs and societies, so you're sure to find a variety that interest you! Here you can also find links to their social media and contact information, in case you'd like more info on what they're about.
Never get lost again with Citymapper
London has an amazing public transport system, but no matter how long you've lived here it can still be a little confusing to navigate. That's where Citymapper comes in - just type in where you want to go and it will show you a variety of routes! Whether you want the fastest way, the cheapest way, a bus-only way or a rain-safe way, it will show you exactly where you need to go. You might even get an extra 10 minutes in bed before your 9am lecture.
Hack your travel fees
When you're in London, money spent on travel can easily add up - a tube here, a tube there and you've spent £9 before you know it. If you're living further away from campus and travelling in every day, consider buying a Travelcard, which will work out cheaper than just using an Oyster/contactless card- prices vary depending on which zones you're regularly travelling to or from (UCL's main campus is in Zone 1, btw). National rail services can also be very pricey - if you're getting more than one national train in a year, it's definitely worth getting a Railcard, which will get you 1/3 off train prices. It's also a good idea to book at least a few weeks in advance if you can, before prices are hiked up.
Join your on-campus gym!
London has a LOT of gyms to choose from - and many of them are super expensive. What if we told you there was a gym on-campus that was friendly in both price and atmosphere? Let us introduce you to Bloomsbury Fitness - a gym made for students and staffed by students. No joining fees, classes included in membership, and even our very own squash courts. Take a look at membership options here.
Sign up for our volunteering newsletter
It's likely that with so many things to think about before starting uni, volunteering hasn't yet crossed your mind. However, we'd recommend you sign up to our volunteering newsletter - it's easy to do, and you'll keep up to date on all the latest opportunities. This could be anything from something related to your course, to a one-off sponsored run, to helping out at an event, or even working with animals... the list is endless, and you're bound to see something that takes your fancy.
Get your bank sorted
Once you've got your offer, you'll want to think about setting up a student bank account. There's tons of great offers out there for students - common offers include interest-free overdrafts, free railcards, cashback at selected retailers and more. It's worth thinking about what you'll need - if you know you'll use your overdraft, for example, it's worth picking a bank with a larger overdraft offer than one offering a free high-street voucher. UCL have guidance for both international students and UK students on how to set up a bank account.
Follow us on your socials!
A bit of a shameless plug, but the best way to keep up to date with what's going on around campus is to follow us on our social media channels: