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When you’re spending long days on campus and need something to keep you going between lectures, it’s easy to slip into the habit of buying food every day, and the cost can quickly add up over the week. To help you save money while still staying fuelled, here are some of the most affordable food and drink options across Streatham and St Luke’s, along with handy tips to make your budget stretch further.
Streatham Campus
Located in Devonshire House, Super Savour Kitchen is one of the best-value spots on campus: you can expect generous portions at student-friendly prices. It’s ideal for grabbing a warm lunch between lectures or picking up dinner before heading home.
La Touche Café is another great spot which offers a wide selection of sandwiches, snacks, hot drinks, and lighter bites, often at lower prices than high-street alternatives. It’s a convenient and affordable option if you’re looking for a quick meal without leaving campus.
A lesser-known but fantastic sustainability and cost-saving initiative, the Community Fridge in the Forum is stocked with surplus food donated by local partners and students. It’s completely free to use-simply take what you need. It’s a great way to help reduce waste and save money on food.
Bringing your own food is another budget-friendly option. A packed lunch with sandwiches and a banana can be cheap and filling, however cold food can get a little tedious, especially when lots of delicious aromas are lingering around the Forum. A great solution to this is by bringing food that you can heat up on campus such as pasta. There are microwaves available for you to use that are dotted around Devonshire House and the Forum. Or you could take advantage of the hot water taps in buildings such as the Forum, Queen’s, and the Business School where you can make your own drinks or instant meals. Bring tea bags, noodles, couscous, or porridge pots for a super low-cost option.
It is also worth bearing in mind that there are a wide range of apps such as Too Good To Go, UniDAYS, Student Beans, and supermarket loyalty apps regularly featuring discounts on food and drink from cafés and shops around campus. Pret subscriptions, Greggs Rewards, and Co-op membership offers can also cut your food costs.
St Luke’s Campus
Cross Keys remains one of the most affordable places to eat on St Luke’s campus. With cooked meals, snacks, and hot drinks served throughout the day, it’s a reliable spot for low-cost lunches and study breaks. Look out for daily specials designed with student budgets in mind. It is also worth having a look at The Chapel which offers free soup to students every Tuesday! This is the perfect comfort food for colder days or when you need a mid-week pick-me-up. Bring a reusable mug or bowl to make the most of it.
St Luke’s also benefits from the convenient location of the campus, with lots of surrounding shops that you can take advantage of! Magdalen and Heavitree Road shops offer independent bakeries, greengrocers, and cafés which are often cheaper than city-centre chains. There is also a Waitrose over the road which, although not usually the cheapest option, if you go later in the day or evening, they do frequent reductions on fresh food and bakery items which can significantly cut costs, they also offer a loyalty card which can give you access to additional offers.
With plenty of on-campus options and nearby bargains, it’s easier than you might think to eat affordably while studying. Try mixing these tips into your weekly routine and enjoy good food without stretching your budget.