It’s important to get to grips with how much you’ll need in order to meet your living costs when planning your student finances. You’re probably wondering how much you should be budgeting for groceries, accommodation, bills, and just general day-to-day costs. Here we’ve compiled some average living costs, though please note that these will vary greatly depending on your lifestyle. It’s important to do your own research and understand your budget.
If you're an international student, you should ensure you have enough funds to cover your tuition fees and living costs for the duration of your course before applying for a visa. If you cannot provide an official letter from a sponsor stating they will cover all of your fees and living costs, you must be able to prove you have access to sufficient funds yourself. For more information, please visit the UKCISA website.
Average costs
The table below shows a breakdown of weekly essential costs. These will vary depending on individual circumstances. Other variable costs that aren't included in the table, but that you might want to consider include: travel, socialising, dining out and clothing.
Undergraduate students should calculate their academic year costs over a 42-week period. Postgraduate students should calculate their total expenditure over approximately 52 weeks.
Table of average living costs
Description | Private House | Self-Catered Halls | Meal Plan Halls |
Rent |
£108 |
£170 |
£219 |
Bills |
£40 |
Included |
Included |
Food |
£50 |
£50 |
Included |
Personal Care (e.g. Toiletries) |
£15 |
£15 |
£15 |
Internet/Mobile |
£10 |
£8 |
£8 |
Course Costs |
£18 - £30 |
£18 - £30 |
£18 - £30 |
Weekly Total |
£241 - £253 |
£261 - £273 |
£260 - £272 |
Accommodation forms a large proportion of your budget. The University provides a variety of accommodation to meet the needs of our students. More information about the facilities and services included within University-owned accommodation can be found on Living's offer pack information page.
With a Food Fellows Dining Plan, you’ll have £58.50 to spend each week at food outlets on campus. You’ll also get a discount of 10% off all food and drink (excluding alcohol).
Full-time registered students are exempt from paying Council Tax.