8 Fantastic Free Things To Do On A Student Budget

It can be difficult to find things to do when you’re trying to keep an eye on your spending at university, and with the current cost of living crisis, it’s even more important to find activities which won’t break the bank. 

Just because you’re a student with limited disposable income, it doesn’t mean you should miss out on things to do, there are many wallet friendly options available. 

Not to worry, if you’re looking for inspiration we’ve put together this guide on 8 fantastic free things to do on a student budget. 

Carry on reading to find out! 

1. Explore Museums & Galleries 

If you’re searching for free things to do, our first idea is to explore the museums and art galleries in your uni city or town.

It’s a great way to learn about art, history, science and so much more. 

Not all of these places will have free admission, but there are some that don’t cost a penny to go to, which is great for your student budget. 

It’s worth making the most of your student status too, as you may get cheaper or even free admission at some cultural places – just make sure to bring along your ID with you! 

Take a look and search online to find museums and galleries in your area and make a day of it with your flatmates. 

2. Attend Free Events 

There are plenty of free things to do when you’re at university so, look out for on-campus events which are taking place at your university. 

Not only is it a good chance to save some money and shake things up, it’s also a chance to engage with the student community and make new friends.

You can check out your Student Union’s event calendar to see what’s happening. 

We’d also suggest looking out for free events in your community such as concerts, art shows, or cultural festivals, as not all of these will require ticket admission.

It’s worth having a search online to see what you can attend. 

There may even be free events taking place in your student accommodation which you can get involved with, or better yet, host your own!

 

3. Join A Society 

Joining a society at your university is a great way to meet new people who share your interests. 

There are hundreds of different social and academic clubs you can get involved with which offer a range of activities and events.

Whilst some of these are free to join others do require a joining fee so make sure to check before signing up. 

No matter what you’re interested in, we’re sure you’ll find something to suit you, and if you don’t, you could think about creating your own society.

There are societies which focus on dancing, sports, fashion, veganism, LGBTQI+, politics and so on. 

If you’re wanting to join a society, head over to your university’s Student Union website for a current list. 

4. Visit Green Spaces 

If you’re searching for free things to do, a great idea is to take a visit to the green spaces in your area. 

Most green spaces are usually free to visit and offer beautiful scenery, which you can explore by walking around, going for a bike ride, playing some sports or even having a picnic. 

You can head to these places by yourself for some downtime to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, or with your friends for a nice day out – all you need is a little willingness to explore!

It’s not just your local urban green spaces which are free to visit, the national parks in the UK are available to visit at any time for free too.

Although, this would depend on where you’re located, and you may have to pay for transport. 

Spending time in the great outdoors is a great way to relax and do some exercise at the same time, which will boost your physical and mental well-being.

After all, studies suggest that being surrounded by green spaces reduces anxiety and improves the immune system. 

5. Dive Into A Book

To keep yourself entertained whilst trying to save money, you could dive into a book which you haven’t read before. 

Reading for fun is a great hobby to take up, with so many benefits including improving focus, memory, empathy, communication skills and reducing stress which improves your mental health. 

Rather than buying new books, you can borrow books from your university library with hundreds of titles to choose from.

Although, there is normally a limit on how many you can borrow for the academic year. 

If you’re wanting to read some new material, you could also head to your local library to borrow books or find free eBooks online. 

For life changing self-help books to smash university, check out our blog. 

6. Have A Board Game Night

If you’re on the hunt for things to do with your flatmates which don’t cost a fortune, you could host a board game night.

Of course, this one is dependent on whether or not you already have board games within your student flat to play, but if you do, it’s a fun activity to do with your mates to get the laughter flowing. 

Whether it’s getting competitive in a game of monopoly, testing your knowledge at a game of Pictionary, or even showing off your moves in a game of twister – teamwork makes the dream work! 

You could even see what free games apps are available to download, like Heads Up! UNO, Monopoly, or Draw Something to name a few. 

This is a great alternative to a night out, and you can even celebrate your games night with some snacks and drinks which you already have at home to save your pennies. 

7. Start A New Hobby 

If you have some spare time but you’re not wanting to spend your precious student loan  then why not take up some new hobbies? 

There are plenty of hobbies which are free to start and you can take up from the comfort of your student home.

Such as learning a new language, cooking new recipes, practising yoga, trying out a new sport or even learning different dance forms. 

These days, it’s easier than ever to start a new hobby or master new skills thanks to the likes of YouTube and TikTok which have so many videos and tutorials to help you out. 

No matter what tickles your fancy, there are many hobbies you can pick up whilst at university! 

8. Have A Movie Marathon 

There are so many free things to do if you’re finding yourself a little low on cash and don’t want to head out, with our last idea being a movie marathon. 

It’s a great way to bond with your flatmates with some back-to-back screening of the likes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, The Bridget Jones series and so forth. 

You can see how many films you get through in a whole day or night, or even watch a newly released film on a streaming service for your own at home cinema! 

Not only will you save money by not heading out, it’s a chance to come together with your friends, have some dinner together, and enjoy some good telly. 

That’s the end of our guide to wallet-friendly things to do for students, we hope these activities keep you occupied for some time. 

Remember, just because you’re trying to save money it doesn’t mean your student experience has to be affected, there’s plenty of fun to be had! 

We’d love to hear what fantastic free activities you get up to whilst at university, let us know @urbanstudentlife.

Are you wondering how you can save money on your food shopping? If so, we’ve got just the blog for you with tips and tricks to stretch your budget further.