Navigating the Cost of Living in the UK as a university student

Tips for Affordable Housing 

• Do your research: Universities can offer grants and scholarships to help students with housing costs 

• Start your search early: The best affordable options will be snapped up quickly, so begin your search well in advance. 

• Expand your search: Look in the suburbs around the university where shared houses may be cheaper. 

• Read leases carefully: Understand the terms and conditions before signing anything. Be aware of hidden fees and potential move-out costs. 

• Prioritise your needs: Don't compromise on essentials like safety and security. However, be willing to give up luxury amenities if they push your budget beyond its limits. 

• Maintain a healthy budget: Track your expenses, avoid impulse purchases, and cook at home to keep your weekly spending down. 

• Don't be afraid to haggle: When it comes to rent it doesn’t hurt to negotiate, especially with private landlords. Explain your situation and offer alternative proposals to land a deal. Landlords may offer discounts to students. 

Transportation Expenses

Transport 

Bikes 

Bikes are a cheap and green way to get around your uni town or city while getting some exercise. Have a look on Facebook marketplace, Gumtree or Ebay to try and find a deal. You could also try Freecycle or ask around if anyone local has friends or family looking to get rid of a bicycle, so you can get one for free. This also offers a chance to learn a new skill, if anything goes wrong with your bike you can save money by getting on YouTube to see if you can fix it yourself.  

Buses 

Buying an annual bus pass can seem expensive, but it does come with the greatest potential for savings and the most flexibility for travelling when you want. If you pay upfront for the year, then you know even when you run out of money in the coming months you have still have a means to get around. If you find a student house away from the uni then a buss pass will come in handy for travelling into campus, short trips to shops and nights out.  

Bus passes will vary in price depending on where you study. In Northeast England, an annual (academic year) Stagecoach student bus pass will set you back £320. In London, though, you can expect to pay much more – an annual student bus and tram pass from TfL costs £692. 

You can buy your bus passes from: 

• First Bus

• Stagecoach

• Arriva

Buying a car 

Having a car may seem like the ideal way to have the freedom to travel where and when you want, but this is an expensive choice.  

You’ll need to pay for insurance, tax, MOT, and then of course, petrol and have money set aside in case your car breaks down. If you have moved away for uni, a bus or train home will be cheaper than running a car. There is also the issue of parking which can be expensive depending on where you live, and a lot of universities won’t provide a parking space. If you are doing a course such as art or music, where you may need to transport supplies, art projects or instruments, a car would be very useful, but it will not work out as a very cost-effective transport while studying.  

Food and Grocery Budgeting

Food shopping 

• Buy own brands: When food shopping, look out for the supermarket’s own brands instead of the named brands. Own brands will be just as good and much cheaper.  

• Only buy what you need: Plan out your meals for the week and check what you have in the cupboards, so you don’t double up.   

• Make a list and stick to it: Although it’s tempting to add delicious things you see while at the supermarket this can quickly add up and take you over budget. 

• Keep essentials in stock: Things like pasta, rice and tinned tomatoes and beans are great to have stocked in your cupboards so you can always make a simple pasta dish when you need a quick, cheap meal.  

Cooking 

• Cook at home: Although tempting after a long day to order a takeaway, try to cook as much as possible. This will save you money over the week. Maybe save a takeaway for a treat. This will also develop an important lifelong skill and you’ll find yourself creating your own signature dishes. 

• Freeze food: You can make batches of food such as a bolognese, then freeze some to eat throughout the week, mix it up by having it with pasta, rice, or potatoes. This will save you a lot of money over the week.  

• Make a packed lunch: Making food to take out to lectures and eat during the day will help you to avoid spending too much money on fast food while out of the house. This is both the healthier and cheaper option.

Other Essential Expenses

Textbooks   

Another big expense for your university course is of course buying textbooks, here are some money saving tips for finding your books at a reasonable price. 

• Buy second hand: Check charity shops close to your university, students may give away their old textbooks when they leave, and you could find the one you need second hand. Also look on Amazon and select “used” when searching for your book as this will bring the price down.  

• Check notice boards: Keep an eye on the notice boards in your faculty buidings and halls. Fellow students may be selling some books you may need. This is also a great way of making some money back at the end of the year, 

• Contact ex-students: Find a Facebook group for your uni and post that you are interested in buying the book you need and are willing to pay and see if anyone still has it to sell for a decent price.   

• Take advantage of online sources: You can find a vast array of books on websites like Open Library or Google books. You can also sign up to Amazon Prime, who offer six months free for students and have access to lots of free Prime reading material.  

• Use the library: The uni library will have a huge selection of books that will be relevant to your course, as you’re paying for the course, make the most of this free access to material. You can reserve books that may be in high demand.  

Health insurance 

 For international students coming to study in the United Kingdom you’ll need to budget for health insurance coverage. The National Health Service (NHS) provides free healthcare to residents of the United Kingdom, but most international students will not have access to it. You’ll need to budget for private health insurance policy to cover any medical bills you may incur while studying in the UK. 

Fashion and social life 

Clothes 

• Embrace second hand: You won’t want to be seen endlessly in the same outfit and especially for a night out may want a new look. You can find good deals at charity shops or vintage shops. You can also find second hand clothing deals on apps like Depop or Vinted.  

• DIY and upcycle: Breathe new life into your old clothes. Give a t-shirt a tie-dye makeover, add some patches to a denim jacket, or turn an old skirt into top. 

• Swap with friends: Share outfits with uni friends. It's a fun way to refresh your wardrobe without either of you having to spend a penny.  

• Take care of your clothes: Proper washing, drying, and storage will extend the life of your clothes, saving you money on replacements in the long run. 

Nights out 

• Look for student discounts: Many bars, clubs, and restaurants offer special deals for students. Do your research and take advantage of these discounts to save on your night out. 

• Don’t buy food out: If you go out, eat before you go and have food at home for your return, so you don’t spend money on fast food while you’re in town.  

• Split taxis: If you can’t get public transport home, share a cab home with friends, this will bring the cost down and be safer for everyone.  

• Host your own parties: Throwing a house party is a much cheaper alternative to hitting the town. You can control the music, the vibe, and the food, making it a fun and budget-friendly way to socialise.  

• Explore free and cheap activities: Look out for free concerts, open mic nights, museum evenings, or movie screenings. These can be great ways to have a good time without spending a lot of money.