Costs and Budgeting
The information below is provided as a guide to average living costs (excluding tuition fees) for the different categories of student. The exact amount you need to live on will depend on your individual needs.
Some costs are excluded and you should budget for them if required, you may also have some of these additional costs. Think carefully about what costs you will incur before you begin your course, so that you can plan your finances and ensure you do not run out of money.
If you are an International student and require a student VISA to study in the UK, you will also have to comply with the minimum funding required for this. For a guide to equivalent costs in other currencies see: www.xe.com/ucc
The amounts provided in the tables below are only a guide to students in planning their expenditure throughout their studies. They should not be used as a fixed or absolute statement of costs, either by students or their sponsors.
Item | Single student | Notes | ||||||
| Rent (University Accommodation) | 95 | On campus accommodation costs vary depending on whether you live in a standard or en-suite room. | ||||||
| Bills | (a) | Rents on campus include bills, for off campus budget £20-25 per week for bills. | ||||||
| Food | 35 | Preparing simple meals at home saves money. Buying lunch / eating out will increase your weekly food costs. | ||||||
| Travel | 7 | A peak return bus fare to the city centre costs £3.80 | ||||||
| Books and Stationary | 10 | Course costs vary depending on your chosen subject: speak to your faculty for more detailed information. | ||||||
| Clothes | 6 | To save money on clothes, think do you really need it, can you afford it. | ||||||
| Insurance (Contents) | (b) | Insurance - costs vary depending on cover required. Rent on campus includes some cover, please check accommodation guide. | ||||||
| TV Licence | 3 | The current cost of an annual cost of a colour TV licence is £145.50 – If you watch live television in your room you will be required to purchase a TV Licence. | ||||||
| Telephone | 5 | Mobile phone contracts vary – check with your provider to find out if a cheaper tariff is available. | ||||||
| Laundry | 5 | The minimum cost of a laundry token is £5.00 | ||||||
| Entertainment | (c) | While it is healthy to have a good social life at university, it is important to live within your means. Entertainment costs vary. For a personalised budget please come to the Student Services Centre for an appointment. | ||||||
| Childcare | (d) | Nursery costs were around £50-60 per day in 2012-13 | ||||||
| Weekly Total | £166 | |||||||
Annual Total (e) Undergraduate Costs over 38 weeks | £6,308 | Does your Government + any University / Other funding cover your expected expenditure? | ||||||
Annual Total (e) Postgraduate Costs over 52 weeks | £8,632 | Does your Postgraduate funding cover your expected expenditure? | ||||||
(a) On campus accommodation costs vary depending on whether you live in a standard or en-suite room.
Rents on campus usually include bills, for off campus budget £25 per week.
(b) Insurance - costs vary depending on cover required. Rent on campus includes cover, please check accommodation guide.
(c) Entertainment costs excluded - please budget for these according to your own needs.
(d) Childcare - nursery costs were around £50-60 per day in 2012-13.
(e) If you are Undergraduate and return home for April or December vacations you may have non-accommodation costs for less than 40 weeks.
Budgeting
It's important to spend some time thinking about how to manage your money and a good way to start is by drawing up a budget. The financial demands of University life can tend to creep up on you but with good money management you can avoid excessive debt.
Look at the projected living costs above and estimate your own. Think about what income you will have from all sources (Government, University, Overdrafts, Parents, Part time work etc) and see if there will be a shortfall between your income and expenditure. Think about what you need to pay and when e.g. accommodation, food, books, joining societies, phone bills, etc. There are on-line budget planners you can use below:
International students -
www.studentcalculator.org.uk/international/ - The International Student Calculator is there to help you plan and manage your money for study in the UK.
UK Students -
www.ucas.com/students/startinguni/managing_money/
www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/Budget-planning