Student Wellbeing Services
Student Funding Service
Funding Menu
All Students - Money Matters
Living Costs and Budgeting 2012-13
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 and, if applicable, those of your family. ( For tuition fee rates see: Undergraduate or Postgraduate )
Some costs are excluded and you should budget for these according to your inidividual needs. In addition to the costs below there may be initial "start up" costs which might vary according to what you are able to bring with you, or there may be unforseen costs, click here for examples.
You need to 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: http://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.
|
Student Category |
|||||||
Item |
Single student |
Single - 1 child |
Single - 2 children |
Single - 3 children |
Couple - no children |
Couple - 1 child |
Couple - 2 children |
Couple - 3 children |
Rent |
95 |
140 |
160 |
170 |
130 |
140 |
160 |
170 |
Bills |
(a) |
(a) |
(a) |
(a) |
(a) |
(a) |
(a) |
(a) |
Food |
35 |
50 |
65 |
80 |
60 |
75 |
90 |
105 |
Travel |
7 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
Books and Stationary |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
Clothes |
6 |
11 |
16 |
21 |
12 |
17 |
22 |
27 |
Insurance (Contents) |
(b) |
(b) |
(b) |
(b) |
(b) |
(b) |
(b) |
(b) |
TV Licence |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
Telephone |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
Laundry |
5 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
Entertainment |
(c) |
(c) |
(c) |
(c) |
(c) |
(c) |
(c) |
(c) |
Childcare |
(d) |
(d) |
(d) |
(d) |
(d) |
(d) |
(d) |
(d) |
Total per week |
168 |
236 |
277 |
308 |
237 |
268 |
309 |
340 |
Annual Total - Undergraduate Costs over 40 weeks(e) |
6,720 |
9,440 |
11,080 |
12,320 |
9,480 |
10,720 |
12,360 |
13,600 |
Annual Total - Postgraduate Costs over 52 weeks |
8,736 |
12,272 |
14,404 |
16,016 |
12,324 |
13,936 |
16,068 |
17,680 |
(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 £20-25 per week for bills.
(b) Insurance - costs vary depending on cover required. Rent on campus includes limited cover, please check accommodation guide.
(c) Entertainment costs excluded - please budget for these according to your own needs.
(d) Childcare costs at the University Pre-School Centre are approximately £16.18 per session (morning or afternoon) in 2010 - 2011.
(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.
Leaflets on budgeting can downloaded from our publications page (see top menu)
There are also 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.
www.studentcalculator.org.uk/wiki/” The UNIAID Student Life Wiki is an interactive uni guide which allows students to view and edit articles about their town, University, living costs, and much more.
UK Students -
www.ucas.com/students/startinguni/managing_money/
www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/Budget-planning
