When you are planning your budget for living in the UK, it is not just your
course fees that you need to take into account. You also need to calculate your
everyday living expenses including your food, accommodation (rent and other
bills), books and equipment, and clothes - making sure that you have enough left
over for leisure activities and socialising.
The cost of living varies between
different regions of the UK; London, for example, is more
expensive than average and costs may also be high in other major
UK cities. Of course, the cost of a pair of jeans can vary
hugely, depending on how important fashion and designer labels
are to you. Just as if you were at home, you need to be sensible
about what you really need and what you can actually afford.
Budgeting for the year
At boarding schools and some international study centres, accommodation and
meals are included in your fees, but if you are on a course at a further
education college, higher education college or university, you will probably
need to budget for rent and also for buying and cooking your own food. Even if
your institution has a canteen, you will usually need to pay for the meals you
eat there separately from your rent. You should always plan your living expenses
over 12 months, even if the academic year is shorter, as you may have to pay
accommodation and other costs over the holidays. It's also worth checking what
bills you are expected to pay and which are included in your rent, as this can
have a big effect on your budget. Student accommodation in halls of residence
can often look more expensive than a room in a shared house, but all bills and
internet access are usually included in the cost of your room, whereas in
private accommodation you will be expected to pay these separately. Before you
arrive, your institution should be able to give you clear guidance on exact
prices of its accommodation, meals in its canteen, bills you will be expected to
pay and the cost of living in the local region.
Leisure and socialising
depending on what you choose to do. If you go to the cinema once or twice a
week, dine in expensive restaurants every evening and make regular trips to the
theatre or the ballet, you will spend much more than if you take advantage only
of the entertainment arranged by student societies. Most on-campus activities
with friends will cost you next to nothing. Of course, the actual amount you
spend is likely to be somewhere between the two. Most universities have a
student cinema, nightclub, theatre and other entertainment available that you
can enjoy for much less than similar entertainment will cost you off-campus.
Cheaper options
If you're going to be living on a budget, there are several tips for value
buying. Outdoor markets are good for fresh food and cheap clothing and you will
often find these close to areas where there are large numbers of students.
Larger supermarkets where you can buy in bulk are generally cheaper than smaller
local shops and stores and many sell good quality clothing, household goods and
electrical equipment as well as food and other provisions. Some supermarket
chains offer online shopping and will deliver your shopping to your home. There
may be a small charge for this, but it is likely to be no more than your bus or
taxi fare and much easier than struggling home with bags of heavy shopping.
Student discounts
Many shops, theatres, cinemas, museums and galleries offer special reductions
for students and special student fares are often available on buses and trains.
To take advantage of these, you will usually need to prove membership of the
National Union of Students (NUS), an organisation that represents the interests
of all students in the UK, which can be arranged by your institution. Recent
discounts listed on the NUS website include 10 per cent off purchases of
selected items at HMV (a music and DVD retail chain), Topshop / Topman (a chain
of fashionable clothes shops), ShoeZone (shoe shops), Peacocks (a chain of
family clothing stores) and Argos (homeware and hardware).
Health care
All international students on
full-time UK courses that last more than six months can take advantage of the
UK's National Health Service, including free consultation with doctors and free
hospital care for you and your family.
