Finance tips
Plan your budget
Carefully planning a budget will help you cope financially while at university. Use this budget planner as an example.
| Average expenditure | Living in halls of residence | Living in private rented accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | £69 - £118 * | £70 - £115 * |
| Books | £13.50 | £13.50 |
| Clothes | £10 | £10 |
| Food | £25 | £25 |
| Entertainment | £15 | £15 |
| Day to day travel | £20 ** | £20 ** |
| Household bills | - | £15 |
| Mobile phone | £6 | £6 |
Please note that these figures are a guideline only, amounts will vary depending on an individual students requirements.
* Find out more about accommodation fees
** Remember travelling home can be expensive. We suggest that you set aside £175 for this each year - obviously this depends on where you live.
Money saving tips
You can make your money go further with these money-saving tips:
- Look out for shops, services, restaurants and bars offering student discounts.
- Buy own brand products - we have found most students can't actually tell the difference when tested.
- Shop for food on a full stomach – that way you're less likely to impulse buy.
- Buy second-hand text books online or from students in the year above.
- Take advantage of buy one get one free offers in supermarkets. Bulk buying with friends will also save money.
- Cut utility bills by getting advice on how to save energy. For useful tips, see the Energy Saving Trust
- Try to cook more than one meal at a time and freeze the leftover food for another day.
- Only take out the amount of cash you've budgeted to spend on a night out.
- Try to save some money each month for emergencies.