To help reduce the impact of the current cost of living crisis as a City student, you can find everything you need here, in one place. Whether you are an undergraduate, postgraduate, home or international student, this support is here for everyone to access.
Working with the Students’ Union (SU), students have helped shape how best we can support you, for example, through focus groups and the SU Assembly. As we continue to look for more ways and engage with students, we will update this hub as new help and support becomes available.
Contacting our Student Advisers for help
Talking about money can be an uncomfortable topic and knowing what support is available to you can feel complicated. It’s important to not let this stop you from getting help and to reach out.
Our Student Advisers will be your main point of contact regarding anything to do with the cost of living crisis. They will be familiar with all aspects of available support across the University and to discuss any worries you may have confidentially.
Support available to you
City has a range of initiatives available to students which can help you, particularly during the crisis. Some of these will be more direct in the form of providing money or vouchers, others will be ways we can help you save money or make your time on campus more financially friendly.
Remember you can also speak to our Student Advisers, who can talk you though all your options.
Visit our advice section for more details about costs and expenses living in London as a student, as well as money saving tips.
Finance
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Making use of student discounts
There are many discounts on offer to students that can be used to start saving money in lots of different areas of student life.
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Hardship Fund
Students can apply for a grant or loan, dependent on your current financial circumstances to support with living costs and course materials.
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Budgeting at University
Save the Student has lots of great information and advice to help save money, including a free budgeting spreadsheet to help track spending.
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Vouchers for students
Food shopping and IT equipment vouchers are available for students who need additional financial support by speaking to the Student Advisers.
Travel
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Travel discounts
Students can link their Oyster card to their railcard to start saving money on off-peak London Underground and DLR services.
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Facilities on campus
Students can store a bike securely and access changing facilities on campus for free.
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Rent a bicycle with Buzzbike
Students can save money by hiring their own bike to travel around. Prices start at £11.70 per month.
Student Life
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Getting advice
You can get in contact with our Student Advisers and have a confidential conversation to help you make sure you get the support you need.
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Weekly community breakfast
City's Chaplaincy team has introduced a free weekly breakfast so students can socialise with each other and enjoy a free meal at the same time.
Health and fitness
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Discounted gym membership
Students can buy an anytime gym membership at CitySport for £60. It's valid for the rest of the academic year.
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Free period products
The University has installed dispensers in toilets across campus where students can access free period products.
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Free eye tests at City Sight
Students have access to free eye and contact lense tests at City Sight on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Entertainment
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Watch movies for free with Kanopy
Students have free access to Kanopy, which lets them watch thousands of documentaries and award-winning films.
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Libby
Through the Libby app, students can read or listen to thousands of e-books and audiobooks for free.
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Box of Broadcasts
Students have have access to over 2.2million broadcasts through BoB. It's a permanent archive from major tv channels.
Library and learning
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Free laptop loans
Students can get a free laptop loan at any time from Northampton Square Library. The laptops can be used anywhere around campus.
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Removing library fines
With the exception of returning items late when they have been requested by someone else, all other Library fines have been removed.
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Free access to LinkedIn Learning
Students have free access to over 16,000 professional courses. All the courses are developed by industry experts.
Food and drinks
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Hot meals and coffee
99p filter coffee will be available from City Bar and Espretto. £3 hot meals are available in the evenings (5pm-7pm) in Courtyard Café.
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Free drinking water across campus
Students can save money, stay hydrated and help the planet by filling up at one of the 32 water fountains on campus.
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Access to hot water & microwaves
Students have free access to hot water and microwaves, which can be used to reduce meal costs.
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25p discount on hot drinks
Students will receive a 25p discount on any hot drink at Graysons-organised outlets on campus if they bring their own keep cup.
Related services
- Student Funding team: Can provide support with student funding queries e.g. loans, grants and scholarships.
- City Students’ Union Money Advice Service: The SU offer a free, confidential, independent advice service. They can help draw up budgets, talk through your situation, signpost to specialist services and access a short-term loan.
- Student Health & Wellbeing: If money worries are impacting your wellbeing, City’s Student Health & Wellbeing services include a number of teams which can support you with someone to speak.