It is your decision on whether to apply for a Student Oyster card depending on your individual circumstances.

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.

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. You will need to register your Oyster card and valid Railcard to a London Underground station with a ticket office 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.

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 must not submit your application to TfL until you have arrived in London and have campus enrolled. If you apply before this your application will be rejected because the School needs to verify your status.

Refer to TfL's 18+ Oyster card guidance for further information. 

Top Tip: If you are completing the form online you need to choose the School's full name 'The London School of Economics and Political Science' otherwise you will be made to complete a paperform that will delay you receiving your Oyster discount.

1.  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
• Choose 'The London School of Economics and Political Science' in the drop-down. Don't just look for LSE or the London School of Economics.
• 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)

Please make sure that you are using the standard UK address conventions: 

For students in Halls, please ensure that you include both your room number and full name of your halls of residence:

Full addresses can be found on our accommodation pages 

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. The Student Services Centre 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 Student LfY 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 an outstanding debt to the School

• You have not yet campus enrolled for your programme 

• You are a returning student and have not yet re-enrolled

You have 3 submissions attempts per application. If your application is rejected 3 times, 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 not campus enrolled and only registered to take assessments

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. 

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