3 min read
When I got into LSE Summer School I was thrilled, however, I was also concerned about affording life in London. Here's some of my budgeting hacks to help you make the most of your time at LSE Summer School.
Funding and Loans
If you’re an Australian student, apply early for the OS-HELP Loan. Spots go fast at larger universities, and this loan can cover flights, accommodation, or tuition. If you're from elsewhere, check for state-based scholarships, university travel bursaries, and faculty grants (many quietly support overseas study). LSE Summer School also offers the Academic Director’s Scholarship – this is a merit-based scholarship that applies to eligible courses and covers the tuition fees for one course.
Daily Budgeting in London
- Lunch: Get a Co-op membership card (£1) for £3.50 meal deals which include a main, snack, and a drink. It’s just around the corner from campus and is super convenient for on-the-go.
- Transport: Use the bus network instead of the Tube. It’s a £1.75 flat fare (as of summer 2025), and you’ll see way more of London for less.
- Drinks: Skip bar prices – Tesco and Sainsbury’s sell great cocktail cans for a few pounds. Download the Dusk app for free cocktails at pubs around London, makes for an awesome pub crawl!
- Culture:
-
- TodayTix has last minute musical tickets for as low as £10.
-
- Join the Young Shakespeare Society for £30 opera or ballet tickets (ages 16-26).
-
- Museums like the V&A (my personal favourite) and Tate Modern are free! Visit as many of them as you can!
-
- Get a palace pass – you pay £60 (as of summer 2025) which gives you unlimited and free access into all the historical palaces in England like Hampton Court, Kensington Palace and the Tower of London. Plus, it gives you access to free and discounted special events they host during the summer!
Accommodation Tips
LSE halls are great if you snag a spot and allow you to meet other Summer School students while being close to campus. However, this may not be an option for everyone, so it may be possible to find sublets or flat shares with other students – check Facebook groups or the Summer School Offer Holder group, or even AirBnB. I recommend doing your research early to find the cheapest and most convenient option for you.
Final piece of advice
My final advice to you is that London isn’t cheap, but it’s doable. Plan early, budget smart, and embrace the city’s endless free experiences. You’ll come home richer in memories than in pounds spent.
Phoebe Bourke
The Australian National University, Department of International Relations
Hi there, my name is Phoebe! I’m currently pursuing a double undergraduate degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and International Relations at the Australian National University in Canberra. I attended LSE Summer School where I studied IR100: Great Leaders and Pivotal Thinkers and was a recipient of the Academic Director’s Scholarship. A fun fact about me is I'm also a classically trained opera singer and I love performing in all genres outside my degree.