If you're 18 or over, a full-time student and living in a London borough, you may be eligible for a 30% travel discount on most Transport for London  (TfL) services with an 18+ Student Oyster photocard. 

The 18+ Student Oyster photocard can be used to purchase discounted weekly and monthly season tickets. It cannot be used for discounted pay as you go journeys.

You will need to decide if you are travelling often enough to benefit from an 18+ Student Oyster photocard. 

There is an application fee and the 30% discount can only be applied to travelcards or season tickets.

Some students find that it is cheaper to travel on a pay as you go basis, particularly if they are eligible for a 16-25 Railcard. Railcard discounts can be applied to off peak pay as you go journeys made using Oyster. Simply take your Oyster card and valid Railcard to a London Underground station and ask a member of staff to set the discount for you.

Transport for London (TfL) have a useful tool to help you work out the best way to pay your fares - visit what's the best ticket for me.

As transport in London has been impacted by changes due to COIVD-19 and guidelines can change, please refer to the information on tfl.gov.uk

You may be eligible for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard for discounted fares if you: 

• are aged 18 or over
• are registered on a full-time programme at LSE
• are in London and have campus enrolled
• are living at an address in a London borough (and updated your address in LSE for You)
• have read TfL's terms and conditions

There are some additional criteria which you can review at 18+ Student Oyster photocard. 

If you are under 18:

You may be able to get free and discounted travel using a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard.

If you are a part-time student:

You are not generally eligible under the terms of the 18+ Student Oyster photocard scheme unless you are in receipt of a hardship fund from LSE.

If you are a part-time student and believe you qualify for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard, please contact the Student Services Centre prior to submitting your application, by submitting an enquiry.

You can apply for an 18+ Student Oyster photocard on the Transport for London (TfL) website.

The application portal will open for the 2021/22 academic year on 1 September 2021, however you can only apply once you have registered at LSE, arrived in London and campus enrolled. If you apply before this application will be rejected.

1. Read through the information above and check your eligibility on the 18+ Student Oyster photocard  webpage. It is your responsibility to check you are eligible before submitting an application. You must also review Transport for London (TfL)'s Terms and Conditions.

2. Create an account with Transport for London (TfL). 

3. Place your order. You will need:

• A colour, digital photo
• Your LSE student number (as shown on your LSE student card or offer letter)
• Your programme start and end dates
• A credit or debit card to pay the application fee (see TfL 18+ Oystercard webpage for details)
• An active email address (we recommend using your LSE email address)

1. Your application will be checked by Transport for London (TfL) before it is passed to the Student Services Centre at LSE for institutional approval.

2. We will process all applications in the order they are received by LSE, usually within five working days

3. Once we have approved your application, Transport for London (TfL) will post the card to you within 2 weeks 

As part of the application process, you may be asked to print a verification form which you will need to bring to the Student Services Centre for completion

You can check the status of your application online.

Your application will be rejected if:

• We cannot find your LSE student record based on the name you have provided in your Transport for London (TfL) application
• Your contact/term-time address in LSE for You does not match the address you provided in your Transport for London (TfL) application and must be in London
• Your date of birth is incorrect
• You have not yet registered for your programme 
• You are a returning student and have not yet re-registered

If your application is rejected, you'll need to re-apply and pay the application fee again (see TfL 18+ Oystercard webpage for details).

If your registration status changes you may no longer be eligible to use an 18+ Student Oyster Photocard.

Your eligibility is likely to change if you:

• Complete your studies
• Interrupt your studies
  You will need to reapply for a new 18+ Student Oyster Photocard once you have returned from interruption and meet the eligibility criteria again.
• Withdraw from your studies
• Change from full-time to part-time study
  For a part-time student to remain eligible you must be in receipt of hardship funding from the School
• Are unregistered and only taking assessments

If you hold an 18+ Student Oyster photocard, we are required to report any changes of your student status to Transport for London (TfL) under their terms and conditions. 

Please contact the Student Services Centre by submitting an enquiry. 

We will respond to your enquiry within three working days.

Further information on SSC opening hours can be found on our webpages here.