Student Oyster card: save money on travel in London

London has one of the world's best public transport networks, making it easy to travel between UEL campuses, your accommodation and everything the city has to offer.

A Student Oyster card can reduce the cost of regular journeys across London. If you travel several times a week, check whether you are eligible for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard and compare the savings with other student travel discounts in London.

What is an 18+ Student Oyster photocard?

The 18+ Student Oyster photocard is a travel discount scheme from Transport for London (TfL).

If you're eligible, you'll receive 30% off adult-rate Travelcards and Bus and Tram Pass season tickets. This can make a real difference if you travel frequently to lectures, placements or work.

It's important to know that the discount applies to season tickets, not pay-as-you-go fares. If you only travel occasionally, another travel discount, such as linking a Railcard to a standard Oyster card, may save you more money.

Who is eligible for a Student Oyster card?

You may be eligible if you:

• Are 18 or over
• Live at a London address during term time
• Are enrolled on an eligible full-time course at UEL
• Meet Transport for London's eligibility criteria

Some students on mandatory work placements in London may also qualify. Eligibility depends on your course and placement, so check the requirements before applying.

How to apply for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard

Applying is straightforward.

1. Create or sign in to your TfL account using Apply for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard.
2. Complete the online application.
3. Upload a passport-style photograph.
4. Pay the application fee.
5. TfL will contact UEL to confirm your student status.
6. Once your application has been approved, your Oyster photocard will be posted to you.

Before you apply

To help avoid delays, make sure:

• You've fully enrolled at UEL
• Your name matches your university record exactly
• You use the same personal details on your TfL application as your student record
• You're living at your London term-time address

If your details don't match, UEL may not be able to verify your application immediately.

Is a Student Oyster card worth it?

A Student Oyster card is usually best for students who:

• Commute to campus several days a week
• Buy weekly or monthly Travelcards
• Travel regularly across different parts of London
• Have a placement or job that requires frequent travel

If you mainly use pay as you go and travel only occasionally, the Student Oyster card may not offer the best value.

Student Oyster card or Railcard: which saves more?

If you're aged 16–25 (or eligible for another National Rail Railcard), you might also consider buying a 16–25 Railcard.

You can link an eligible Railcard to a standard Oyster card at a London Underground station. This gives you one-third off off-peak pay-as-you-go fares and off-peak daily caps, which can be better value if you don't buy weekly or monthly Travelcards.

Some students choose to have both, depending on how they travel.

Student travel tips for London

• Apply for your 18+ Student Oyster photocard once you've enrolled at UEL.
• Register your Oyster card online so you can manage your account easily.
• Download the TfL Go app for live travel information and journey planning.
• Always touch in and touch out when travelling by Tube, DLR, Elizabeth line and London Overground to make sure you're charged the correct fare.
• Check whether a Railcard could save you even more money.

If you're studying at Docklands or Stratford campuses, you'll also benefit from excellent public transport connections across east London, including our free shuttle bus.

You can find more information about travelling sustainably on UEL's Sustainable transport and travel page.