Living costs: Uni on a budget
We know that course fees and living expenses are an important investment. We do everything we can to make uni affordable so you can make the most of your time as a student and hopefully worry less about your budget.
We know that course fees and living expenses are an important investment. We do everything we can to make uni affordable so you can make the most of your time as a student and hopefully worry less about your budget.
With the rising cost of living, we’ve made extra grants and bursaries available, we’re reducing the costs of studying and we’re offering personal financial advice.
Plan your budget
Here is a guide to help you plan your finances while you're studying.
You should consider how much money is available to you, and then factor in everything on which you need or want to spend it. You could break this down on a weekly or monthly basis to help you plan your expenditure.
Your costs will be higher or lower depending on your lifestyle and priorities, as well as your budget. See our tips on how to plan your budget for more details.
Not counting tuition fees or visa costs (if relevant), you are likely to need around £1,200 per month to live comfortably if living away from home. It is possible to get by on less than this by budgeting carefully and making savings.
Cost of study
- Tuition fees - check your course page
- Visa costs - If you need a visa to study in the UK you will need to cover the cost and have a certain amount of money in your bank account (More about visa costs)
Necessities
- Accommodation and bills
- Food and drink
- Transport
Other costs
- Entertainment
- Wellbeing
- Clothes and shopping
Ways to save money
We can help you find ways to afford day-to-day living costs and give you chances to save on going out, shopping and wellbeing.
Save on the cost of living
We’ll give you advice on how to make your money go further including:
- Energy - guidance on paying your bills and help with finding warm places on and off campus to study and spend time
- Food - buy cheap, fresh, quality food across campus through the and other discounts
- Travel - save 30% off travel with a and another 30% off rail with a
- Shopping - use the to get discounts and offers for top brands and local shops
Get a head start at 草榴社区
To help ensure uni is affordable, we’re stepping up and doing everything we can to support our new students.
That’s why we’ve launched the MDX Student Starter Kit and MDX Excellence Scholarship, available for students starting 草榴社区 this year.
Free study support
We can cover your costs for the day-to-day things that you need to succeed in your studies. These include:
- Free laptop loans for a day or for a full term
- Free access to everything on your reading list
- Free specialist software for your course
- Free printing for academic materials
- Free online training with LinkedIn Learning.
We also provide free academic and study support with things like academic writing and maths, finding resources and IT. There is also free support available for your emotional wellness and mental health, including individual counselling sessions.
"One of the biggest perks of studying at 草榴社区 as a creative student is the free printing facilities and the fact that we have free access to the creative cloud software. It saves a chunk of money that can be spent on other things such as materials. Not only that depending on the creative course you are in you get set amount of money on your card e.g. interior design £30 that can be spent on the uni store for materials and equipment towards projects."
Krisha Solanki, BA Interior Design with Foundation Year BA (Hons)
Student welfare and financial support
You can contact our welfare team either via (use the subject Student Welfare Advice in the enquiry) or you can (remember to include your phone number). They will get you through any financial, practical or legal challenges that you may face while you're studying. We can give advice on things like debt or housing costs and your rights.
For finance, which is open to everyone and can cover all kinds of costs you don't need to pay back, .
You can apply for financial support for undergraduate and postgraduate studies from the government.
We also have scholarships, bursaries and awards available, based on your academic achievement and personal circumstances.
We can also help you get extra grants for student parents and benefits, including for housing.
Work while you study
We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Our will help you find paid part-time work for the University in a variety of student jobs on- and off-campus including Student Ambassador roles.
Other resources
There are lots of ways you can stay in control of your money as a student. Keep up to date with useful tips and check out the resources for students and site.
Watch this video to hear our top tips on looking after your finances and how you can make some extra cash while studying with us.